Looking down on Europe’s largest contiguous reservoir from above the Saale River, it’s easy to imagine yourself in Norway: Like a Scandinavian fjord landscape, the wide expanses of water framed by deep forests in southeastern Thuringia will warm the heart of every nature lover. The castles of Dornburg amidst vineyards are also picturesque; no wonder famous poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited them often – they make you feel transported to France. You can even enjoy Italian flair as you stroll through Erfurt’s historic district with its small alleys and bustling squares or even walk by the Krämerbrücke, which is reminiscent of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Going even farther afield, the Dragon Gorge in Eisenach reminds visitors of Peru, the “Baumkronenpfad” treetop path in the Hainich Natural Park of Malaysia – there are countless examples of sites where tourists can embark on their very own “world tour” right in the heart of Germany...
