We enjoyed our hike around the entire lake (Rundweg Kleiner Brombachsee, about 5.5 miles to circle…read moreback to your beginning point) on this very pretty autumn day--air was brisk, leaves were very pretty at places (photos) and being near quiet waters always calms my soul. Brombachsee is one of the lakes in the Fränkisches Seenland, and perhaps it's the best one. We saw many bikers, hikers, walkers with dogs and even some four-wheel (side by side bike contraption with a roof) carriages along this circle route around the lake. We didn't observe a lot of wild life per se, but there were some on the lake. I think I even saw a large owl flying away in the woods. Does one swan make this lake a "swan lake"? Obviously it's past the busy season now, and it seemed a little desolate, but a café and a biergarten were open. There were many swimming beaches along the way, so I imagine during the warm season (typically only for a couple of weeks in Germany) this would be a great lake-swimming location. Also, there was Wakepark in one of the coves where you can enjoy riding wakeboards being pulled by a leash with some jumping stands. I didn't pay attention to the price posting. It looked very cold with air temperature of only about 46F, so it probably would be better during summer time. I imagine it'll be very crowded then. There were plenty of parking spaces available near the biergarten/camp ground. All-day parking is 5€ there.

If you are into World War II History, this is the place for you. Such incredible, if dark, history…read more Amazingly, so much is still left, I am always surprised when I come back and it's all still here. I am sure it was left as grim reminder of what happened here, and I am sure it would be a major undertaking to remove it. Besides, most of the things that happen here are concerts and festivals, a much happier use of the field than it was during the Third Reich. I highly suggest doing some research before coming here, there are many resources to research, many photos and films. You can walk up the steps and actually stand on the same platform where Hitler gave speeches, incredible and eerie at the same time. At night, it is especially eerie and foreboding. There are also many other Nazi remanents nearby, most within walking distance. Again, research the area before you come and plan out your walk.

The so-called Zeppelinfeld is the location for the infamous Nazi rallies of the late 1920s and…read more1930s. One of the few remaining parts of a vast complex intended as the spiritual home of the Nazi party, the rather battered remains nevertheless still give the feel for the scale of the events that are now etched into history. Standing on the rostrum at which Hitler expounded his fascist political philosophy is frankly a rather ambivalent experience: on the one hand, it feels a place of tangible evil: on the other, the dilapidated ruins provide reassurance that such a regime was, and can be, overcome. The main rostrum site is free to enter with ample car-parking: but there are lots of steps and uneven walkways if you want to climb up.