Walking through the Mehlinger Heide (Mehlingen Heathlands) is an adventure for the eyes; it’s one of the largest and most beautiful moors on the edge of the biosphere reserve Palatinate Forest (Pfälwerwald) - Vosges du Nord. This nature and bird sanctuary was created by chance on land formerly used for military purposes. The moor is especially charming when the flowers bloom in July and August—but it is also interesting during other seasons. Two designated trails, the moor experience trails, run through the area. Don’t miss out on the carriage ride!

Mehlinger Heide
An der Heide 10
67678 Mehlingen
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Pony and carriage rides only available by appointment, call (0631) 3 60 63 84

The Mannebach Microbrewery in Saarburg claims to be the smallest brewery in Germany. Since 1994 Mannebach has been brewing and serving natural beer. They have now upgraded to restaurant and can offer their guests fantastic food and their brew at affordable prices. Closed Wednesdays.

Mannebacher Brauhaus Hans-Günter Felten e.K.
Hauptstraße 1
54441 Mannebach
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Distance from Spangdahlem 70 km

This candle-making company is of the few remaining in Germany. Both traditional and modern candles are manufactured here. Michael Moll creates small batches, sculptures or flowers from wax all done by hand. Wide selections of candles are available in adjoining gift shop to find. A tour of the workshop is possible.

Eifeler Wachswarenmanufaktur
Kurfürstenstraße 39
54531 Manderscheid
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Phone: 06572-2180
Distance from Spangdahlem 20 km

The former Benedictine monastery Hornbach impresses with its traditional architectural beauty and is intertwined with modern elements, and the spiritual presence of the past still resides within these walls. Here, the hotel Kloster Hornbach resides with its unobtrusive elegance. It promises relaxation and hospitability. Guests are pampered in four restaurants and therefore visit from all over the world.

Kloster Hornbach
Im Klosterbezirk
66500 Hornbach
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Phone (0 63 38) 91 01 00
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Vicus Belginum is located on a trunk road between Trier and Mainz. Not only is Roman life being unearthed but also the temple districts and a burial ground with more than 2,500 burials. The museum gives vivid insight into the lives of the Celts and Romans. Special exhibitions and an extensive program invite visitors to linger and explore. Audio guides are also available in English.

Archäologiepark Belginum
Keltenstraße 2
54497 Morbach
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Distance from Spangdahlem 50 km

The famous impressionist Claude Monet was enthralled by the timeless beauty and elegance of the water lilies, just as the international art scene still is today: his water lily paintings are among the most sought-after and expensive paintings in the world. Nature lovers travel not to France, but to the West Palatinate, to admire these floating beauties in all their splendor. In the Moosbachtal near Dahn, the graceful flowers cover the wetland Kranzwoog from June to September; lounger chairs invite you to pause and dream. The starting point for enjoying these sights is in the Mosbachtal-Sträßchen (Mosbach valley street) in Dahn.

Dahner Hütte
Pfälzerwald-Verein
Im Schneiderfeld
66994 Dahn
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Phone 0 63 91 17 93
Open April-October 10 am - 6 pm, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

One of the best ways to experience the Mosel landscape is by boat. One can be in awed at the natural wonders of the Mosel Valley with its famous steep vine-yards, bizarre rock formations, numerous castles, monasteries and ever so charming villages and towns with its historical wine cellars and buildings. The German side of the Mosel is over 200 km long where various boats and ships cruise. Throughout the river are steep inclines where multiple locks help tame the water. Six different shipping companies cruise the river offering options on both large and small luxury ships. From Easter until the autumn, visitors may cruise the Mosel on a regular schedule, some even stopping at larger towns. Some cruise ships even offer wine tasting on board.

Moselland Touristik
Phone: 06571-97330

During the eighth century, the mother of Emperor Charles the Great, Bertrada was said to have lived here. Whether Charles the Great was actually born in Mürlenbach will most likely remain uncertain. Bertrada Castle was restored in the 13th Century, and was equipped with numerous fire places – an unheard of luxury at this time. After extensive restoration work in recent years, the castle now holds apartments and a wine cellar. Regular tours are also available.

Bertradaburg
Neustadt 21
54570 Mürlenbach
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Phone 06591-949910
Distance from Spangdahlem 35 km

Time seems to have stopped in the middle of the old town of Rockenhausen. Here, in a restored farmstead, "The Museum of Time - Palatine Tower Clock Museum" has its home. One listens to the steady ticking of the clocks, observes the interlocking of drive and tooth, and experiences the passage of time. The collection includes tower clocks, rare precision and garden sundials, decorative sundials, and hourglasses. The heart of the museum is the Clock Tower with the Astronomical Clock of Rockenhausen, one of the most accurate and versatile among modern astronomical clocks.

Museum für Zeit – Pfälzisches Turmuhrenmuseum
Schlossstraße 10
67806 Rockenhausen
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Phone (06361) 34 30 or (0 63 61) 45 12 52
Open Tuesday-Sunday 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm
Group tours available by appointment

Experience art in just 15 minutes! How? For every current exhibition, the Museum Pfalzgalerie Kaiserslautern (MPK) offers short conversations with the artists. In addition to the changing art shows, the MPK offers exhibits of German impressionism, expressionism and selected works of art of the 21st century. The MPK museum also presents 20th and 21st century American art and focuses as well on international contemporary art.

Museum Pfalzgalerie Kaiserslautern
Museumsplatz 1
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Phone (06 31) 36 47 201
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Open Tuesdays 11 am - 8 pm
Wednesday-Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
Closed Mondays

Mackenbach is a typical musician's village, characterized by musician families. "Mackenbacher" became the nickname for the traveling musicians from the Palantinate who roamed the world in the 19th century. The Musician’s Museum (Musikantenmuseum) provides insights the lives and work of these people through photos and documents. Two life size musicians made of plaster show the visitors the entrance to this realm of music. Old and new instruments from all over the world are presented in the two main rooms. And, as a surprise, Frank Sinatra’s connection to the Mackenbacher musicians is revealed here.

Musikantenmuseum Mackenbach
Schulstraße 10
67686 Mackenbach
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Phone (0 63 74) 60 65
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Open Sunday 2 pm - 5 pm and by appointment

Who would have thought that such a spacious nature reserve with a plethora of protected animal and plant species was located right in the vicinity of Eisenberg? Erdekaut was once a mining trail and has since been left to itself for decades. Today, it’s a nature preserve complete with three hiking trails that guide visitors through the unique nature. Kids will love the large slide, mud pool, and the largest sandpit in the Pfalz.

Verbandsgemeinde Eisenberg
Hauptstraße 86
67304 Eisenberg
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Phone: (0 63 51) 40 70
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The Naturfreundehaus (nature-friend house) Finsterbrunnertal is ideal for hikers. The inviting house is open all year round and is located in the Karlstal near Kaiserslautern. Here, off the beaten path hikers can dive directly into the pleasurable silence and listen to the lively murmur of the Moosalb. The house offers enough space for hiking groups, children, youth, and family vacations. Sit comfortably together and enjoy the company over a hearty meal.

Naturfreundehaus Finsterbrunnertal
67705 Finsterbrunnertal
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Phone (06306) 28 82
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Located in the picturesque valley of the Enz, is the architecturally notable town of Neuerburg. It was granted its town charter in 1332. This charming town is particularly characterized through its monuments, such as the Gothic parish church. Many old houses contribute to the romantic idyll of the city. East of Neuerburg is the Kreuzkappelle (Cross Chapel), a charming chapel with beautiful Rococo architecture. Enthroning the town is Neuerburg Castle which is one of the best-preserved castles in the Eifel. It now houses a Youth Hostel. In summer many guests go to cool off at Aqua Fun.

Neuerburg
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Distance from Spangdahlem: 48 km

Neumagen-Dhron has one of the oldest vineyards in Germany. During the Roman Empire, wine was already being produced here. Every year, many visitors come here to the many Strausswirtschaften and wine cellars.

Neumagen-Dhron
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Phone 06507 6555 
Distance from Spangdahlem 50 km

It is one of the most famous racetracks in the world: The Nürburgring. Legendary to its name, the north loop demands all that the driver has to give more so than any other track. Nürburgring has provided material for countless books, bold headlines and fascinating, sometimes even amazing, but also very tragic stories. Throughout the years, the Ring has been developed into one of the most modern and safest tracks in the world. However, Nürburgring is much more than just a race track with a great tradition. Aside from the numerous racing events, music and other mass sports events take place making the ‘Ring’ today, a multi-functional recreational center. Nürburgring is also home to one of the largest rock festivals in the world, the ’Rock am Ring‘. Since 1985, a number of renowned international artists jam at this festival every year and attract countless visitors in the Eifel.

Nürburgring
Nürburgring Boulevard 1
53520 Nürburg
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Phone: 02691-302602
WEB
Distance from Spangdahlem 70 km

The pretty Schmitshausen on the Sickinger Höhe in the south-west Pfalz became Germany’s first official Rose Village (“Rosendorf”) in 1966 and was later elected a European Village (“Europadorf”) in 1981. More than 5,000 rose bushes bloom here in the village and in the picturesque rose garden every year. On the Schmitshauser Höhe - about 400 meters away when leaving the village – stands an observation tower that offers a beautiful panoramic view of the flowers. With good and clear weather visitors can see all the way to the Hardt, the North Palatine highlands, the Vosges Mountains, and all the way west towards Saarland.

Schmitshauser Turm
9 meters tall, 2 ladders
Open all year
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The study of astronomy is one of the oldest in the world. Since the start of living memory, people were fascinated with watching the skies. The sun, moon, and stars provide orientation, light, and guide philosophy. The natural science association of Zweibrücken is shining some light on the darker, and more complex planetary questions that still exist through their management of an observatory. Weather permitting, visitors can go in the dome and view the sky with the help of a reflector telescope reflector and observe the celestial bodies over Zweibrücken.

Sternwarte Zweibrücken
Amerikastr. 1
66482 Zweibrücken
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Willi Mayer, 0176 976 373 82 or Thomas Müller, (0 63 32) 37 65
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Open Friday after dusk (clear nights only)

Situated beside the Glan-Blies bike path, the village St. Julian should not be missed out on. If you stop by, you should see the local oil mill built in 1730. Nowadays, it is one of the last functional oil mills in Europe. The husking and tanning process supported by agitator equipment and the Windhaus is unique in Germany. The mill is a listed building and said to be an architectural wonder. You can visit the mill all year round even from the inside if you call (0171) 2 63 90 76 and make an appointment.

Ortsgemeinde Sankt Julian
Woogstraße 17
66887 Sankt Julian
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What fun! Children's theater, musicals, plays and boulevard comedies in the middle of the woods. Enthusiastic spectators come in droves to the open air theater in Katzweiler, one of the largest natural stages in Southwest Germany. Visit the website for more details and ticket sales. Tickets sell out fast!

Freilichtspiele Katzweiler
In der Eselsdelle
67734 Katzweiler
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Phone (0 63 01) 96 19
WEB