From Eisenach, it's a short trip to the beautiful Thuringian Forest in central Germany, which is ideal for hiking, relaxing and taking a vacation from your vacation.
Beautiful hills and valleys characterize this region, and botanists (amateurs included) can find numerous varieties of orchids in the area. Little wonder it's called the Green Heart of Germany.
The area is little known to visitors from abroad, but given its rich history and well-preserved old-world charm, don't expect it to stay that way for long.
One of the main cities is Oberhof, a health spa and winter ski resort. Olympic-bound athletes train there on the ski jumps, bobsled and luge tracks, and a toboggan course. Sleigh rides are also popular in the winter.
Other cities in the area include Muhlhausen (medieval architecture) and Suhl (the weapons museum displays some of the local handiwork, from highly decorated early guns to modern sports guns). Nature lovers will want to spend two or three nights in the region.
Some of the picturesque towns in Thuringia are more than 1,000 years old. Castles, monasteries and fortresses are sprinkled throughout the region, as well as numerous UNESCO sites.
For more information, visit the Thuringia tourism office website at http://www.thueringen-tourismus.de.
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