Grounded in 1899 as an artist's colony, here is a bit from the Darmstadt web site to whet your…read moreappetite:) Paris, Brussels, Vienna, Glasgow, Barcelona and Darmstadt! This Hessian city made a name for itself among the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) metropolises of Europe. In 1899, Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig founded the first artists colony with seven artists, architects, painters and sculptors: J. M. Olbrich, P. Behrens, P. Huber, H. Christiansen, P. Bürck, L. Habich and R. Bosselt. Their first task was to design and build their own living and working quarters and present them to the public. So works of art surround you here as the houses, park and other buildings all belong to the total concept.

The Mathildenhohe is one of the highlights of Darmstadt. There's an interesting permanent…read moreexhibition of Art Nouveau in the museum with a nice little gift shop, and regular more contemporary art exhibitions are held in the main building (I had my first introduction to Hundertwasser here), but they don't always provide English translations. The romantic Russian chapel is in the grounds, and talking of romance many people get married in the Hochzeitsturm (the symbol of Darmstadt), as long as a wedding isn't on you can pay to go to the top of the tower and get a view of Darmstadt. In the summer you can even play petanque in the shade of the plane trees. If you're hungry or thirsty there's a small bistro, with an outside seating area in the summer (you don't have to pay to get into the bistro). It's also worth leaving the grounds and exploring the area a bit, as there are some stunning houses with unique architectural features. Basically if you're in Darmstadt, you must go here.

Tour a beautiful section of the castle and learn all about Darmstadt's relationship to the ruling…read morefamilies of England and Russia. Tours are in English only if the majority of visitors are English speakers. That said, the guide stayed afterward and answered questions.

If you are ever near Darmstadt Germany which is approx. 15 min south of Frankfurt on the first…read moreweekend in July I definitely suggest you visit the Heinerfest. It is a fun local fest that spans thru the entire inner City in Darmstadt. It starts on a Thursday late afternoon and ends on Monday night with a huge firework. There are plenty of rides for the young at heart available and also for the smaller children. Plenty of food booth with a very wide variety of food. Ample amount of Beer tents that also have food. A few arts and crafts booths and a variety of food stands with everything your tummy desires. Pizza, Brats, Garlic Mushrooms, Crepes, Fish in Buns you think of it they probably have it. Sundays is usually very crowded. If you can somehow manage to visit on a Thursday night or Friday that would probably be your best bet. The fireworks on Monday night also was very impressive.