A bit of cycling, a bit of pampering, some (sparkling) wine. How does that sound to you? If there is one thing the neighbouring regions of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia do really well, it is combining the good things in life and come up with a nice package. Here are a few ideas how to venture off the beaten track this summer and discover highlights of the Cultural Heart of Germany.

Cycling, wine & culture

Do it like the locals and cycle on the much-loved Ilm Valley Cycle Trail. From the source of the river Ilm in the Thuringian Forest up to where it flows into the river Saale in eastern Thuringia, the trail features cultural sights and beautiful nature galore. And all that on a compact 125 kilometres which means this is a leisurely trip with enough time each day for extended stops en route. Among the many spots on the way that invite cyclists to get off their saddle, Weimar is, no doubt, one of the highlights. The lively town not only features UNESCO Word Heritages Sites such as the Classical Weimar ensemble and three Bauhaus buildings but is also perfect for strolling, relaxing and spending some well deserved time with Kaffee & Kuchen in one of the local cafés.

The tour continues to the spa town of Bad Sulza which is surrounded by the Thuringian part of the Saale Unstrut wine region. Tired cyclists can revive their spirits at the local “Toscana Therme” thermals baths and should not miss visiting some of the vineyards for wine tastings. The bigger part of Saale Unstrut, Germany's most northern wine region, continues in neighbouring Saxony-Anhalt where picturesque cycling routes along the rivers Saale and Unstrut take visitors past historical wine estates and to historic towns such as Freyburg. Rotkäppchen, the second largest producer of sparkling wine worldwide and market leader in Germany, is headquartered here as well as many small privately managed vineyards. Visitors should not miss the superb 11th century Neuenburg Castle, towering above the town and dating back to the 11th century.

Historic towns & picturesque villages

If cycling along the Saale, Naumburg, once an important trading centre on the Via Regia in the Middle Ages, is a must see, with its St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral, known as the Naumburger Dom in German. It was built between the 13th and 15th century as a stunning late Romanesque and Gothic cathedral and features the world-famous statue of Uta, Margravine of Meissen, who many call the most beautiful woman of the German Middle Ages and who was used by Walt Disney as the model for the queen in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. Visitors should not miss the exhibition of contemporary glass paintings currently on at the cathedral (until 2nd November), including works by Markus Lüpertz, Neo Rauch and Gerhard Richter.

Last but not least, we let you in on another hidden treasure of the Cultural Heart of Germany, the small wine village of Diesbar-Seußlitz in Saxony and located right on the Elbe embankment. Steep terraces provide fertile grounds for vines and wine making goes back more than 850 years here. Visitors can combine their wine sampling with a bit of workout on the Saxon Wine Hiking Trail that starts in Diesbar-Seußlitz. Another must see is the local Baroque castle featuring a splendid park. There is a Baroque winemaker's house nearby in the castle vineyard and the grandly named Heinrichsburg castle, a modest garden house built in the 18th century and a popular spot for enjoying best views of the Elbe Valley.

Travel information:

Easy access to the regions of the Cultural Heart of Germany with Cityjet from London City to Dresden and Germania from London Gatwick to Erfurt-Weimar

Further information:

Cultural Heart of Germany (Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia) online: www.culturalheart.info 

Facebook:www.facebook.com/CulturalHeartofGermany

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CulturalGermany 

Press contact:

B Connects. Barbara Geier Content Services

On behalf of Cultural Heart of Germany (Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia)

barbara@bconnects.net, phone 07983 242 195