Thuringia Germany - South Africans interested in experiencing travel opportunities other than those offered by traditional tourism centres need look no further than the former East German region of Thuringia. Considered the cultural heart to Germany, foreign tourists are starting to discover what local tourists have always known – that Thuringia is an enchanting holiday destination with timeless appeal.
While on his recent official visit to South Africa, the Thuringian Minister of Economic Affairs, Wolfgang Tiefensee shared his views on some of the charms of this hidden gem: “Since the fall of the Berlin Wall 25 years ago, the number of visitors to our state has doubled. These figures are now set to rise exponentially as visitors are quickly discovering the diverse and unrivalled mix of culture, nature, sport, art, natural heritage and picturesque beauty – all on offer in such a small and easily accessible area.
“As a country, Germany offers a convenient base at the centre of Europe and the small, approximately 16 000km² state of Thuringia is located at the very heart of our country. While we may be small, we are proud to offer visitors such a variety of attractions, with the opportunity to hike our pristine nature trails one day and able to take in our art, music and famous German food the next. “
As one of the centres of European cultural and intellectual history, Thuringia is closely associated with the work of great thinkers, artists and composers ranging from Martin Luther and the Cranach family to Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner and many more.
Tribute is paid to these influencers and their work, through seasonal festivals and year-round exhibitions, allowing visitors an opportunity to celebrate the works of these visionaries on local soil – turning Thuringia into a veritable utopia for those interested in exploring this rich cultural heritage.
Bärbel Grönegres, director of the Thuringian Tourist Board and part of the delegation who accompanied Tiefensee, said: “Over the past few years, we have noticed that South Africans appreciate our outdoor attractions – something both countries have in common! Visitors are particularly drawn to our Unesco World Heritage sites, over 400 romantic castles, and pristine natural environment including our ancient, densely populated forests that house the famous 700 year old Rennsteig hiking trail.”
With more than the Rennsteig trail on offer, Thuringia is an ideal destination for hikers and cyclists, with a total of 16,000 kilometres of hiking trails and 1 700 kilometres of long-distance cycling trails running through its forests, towns and along its river valleys. While cycling or walking, visitors are likely to spot more than one ancient castle or fortress – dotted throughout the historic towns making up this state. Several romantic outdoor spa resorts offer those in need of a little pampering a chance to make the most of the local natural remedies, before returning home rested and rejuvenated.
The arrival of winter isn’t a reason to stay indoors. November to March sees Thuringia transformed into a winter wonderland, filled with more than 1 100 kilometres of ski trails and some 200 kilometres of cross-country ski routes. Whether it’s a dream of building an enchanted snowman or the chance to show your skills on the slopes, the state is quickly transformed into a winter sports paradise.
Sport enthusiasts and active travellers will be well rewarded by delicious local fare and traditional German hospitality. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy specialties such as the Bratwurst and potato dumplings – internationally known as original Thuringian specialities – with a regional beer, recognised to be among the oldest in the country. Sweet-toothed visitors should make a point of trying ‘Brückentrüffel’ (or Bridge truffles) from one of the artisanal chocolate manufacturers. While beer is the obvious choice in Germany, wine drinkers won’t be disappointed with the local offerings – proudly producing wine from the most northern quality wine-growing area in Germany.
Concludes Grönegres, “We are excited to share what we, in Thuringia, have known for years: when it comes to a combination of culture and nature, heritage and food – all set to a backdrop of quaint towns and ancient castles – there is no better option for the modern leisure traveller than Thuringia.”
The cultural heart of Germany is easy to reach whether by plane, fast trains or car via Erfurt-Weimar airport and seamless connections to Frankfurt airport, Duesseldorf, Dresden, Leipzig, Berlin and Munich and five modern motorways A4, A9, A38, A71, A73. For more about this exciting destination, visit www.visit-thuringia.com.