Germany Trip Plan:
In 6 days around Lippe-County and Teutoburg Forest
In vicinity of the Teutoburg Forest lies the idyllic twin town Rheda-Wiedenbrück. A day trip to Detmold with a visit at the large open air farmers-museum, the mystic rock formation called Externsteine, the Hermanns-Memorial and the historic cities of Münster and Bielefeld guarantee memorable impressions.
Note: This is a trip plan (self-driving, stay in a vacation apartment, explore on your own)
Duration: 6 days
Recommended Destination Airport: Hanover Airport
Trip Plan Details:
In vicinity of the Teutoburg Forest lies the idyllic twin town Rheda-Wiedenbrück. A day trip to Detmold with a visit at the large open air farmer-museum, the mystic rock formation called Externsteine, the Hermanns-Memorial and the historic cities of Münster and Bielefeld guarantee memorable impressions.
Two town center with their lovely restored half timbered houses on the banks of the River Ems are the central point for this vacation. Every house itself has a story to tell and you will be drawn back in time discovering all the lovely details. This part of the world has its own dialect and traditions kept very much alive. You will enjoy your day trip to Lippe-County with its unique landscape and natural wonders. The cultural center of Westphalia, Münster invites you to a shopping spree and you should not miss Bielefeld, the former linen weaver center of the region has many specialized boutiques in historical surroundings.
Cost Estimate:
We compiled some starting prices and rough estimates to help you better with your Germany trip planning.
| Lodging: | starting at $760 for 2 persons / 6 days |
| Admissions: | starting at $250 for 2 persons / 6 days |
| Car Rental: | starting at $360 / 6 days |
| Gas: | starting at $250 / 6 days |
| Estimated Total Cost: | 2 persons, starting at $1620 / 2 days |
| 4 persons, starting at $1980 / 4 days |
Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
A very comfortable vacation apartment near the town center and grocery shops waits for your arrival today. Make yourself home and get the first impressions of your neighborhood. In case you brought your laptop, a complimentary high speed Internet access will be available for you throughout your stay.
Day 2: Rheda-Wiedenbrück
You will enjoy discovering the two towns in one. Take your time to find your favorite spot which can be just around the next narrow corner. Wiedenbrück is over 1000 years old and all the beautiful half timbered houses are part of a carefully cultivated history. Start at the Kirchplatz with the dominating St. Aegidius-Church. Houses everywhere show rich ornamental wood carvings and paintings, displaying religious motives and mythical creatures. Inscriptions above the entrance were meant to protect its owners and visitors, keep evil spirits outside, and remind everybody of desirable moral values of the community! On the corner Zum Klingelbrink
you will find a pentagram carved in a house front, a medieval sign used as protection against witches. Enter the building and be charmed by its interior. Much more living history can be discovered in the town center of Rheda, the twin town; local parks such as the Ems-meadow invite you for a leisurely walk. Castle Rheda, the monastery castle Reckenburg and the town center showcase every year renowned colorful events, with the Christmas Market being particular romantic in the midst of this medieval backdrop.
Day 3: Detmold and beyond
A scenic drive will bring you today to the charming middle sized town of Detmold, in the heart of Lippe-County. Enjoy the original and intact old town, especially on market days and visit one of the numerous cafes. Detmold is surrounded by a charming landscape with gentle hills and valleys and next it is time to visit all famous, beautiful and historical sights in the region. The Externsteine are a striking sandstone rock formation in the Teutoburg Forest, and as such a prominent natural landmark in Germany surrounded by a park like facility including a small lake. About 70 million years ago, the formerly horizontal rock layers were pushed exactly vertical during the orogeny period in this region. The natural monument served as a place of worship to Germanic tribes and many stories rank about its origins and ceremonies performed here. For a small entrance fee you can climb the rocks on a well secured path. Germanic tribes finally defeated the Roman army in this area and much later the Hermann-Monument was erected to honor the battle-leader of the tribes. The monument stands 1,266 ft above Detmold reminding everybody of the slaughter in the Teutoburg Forest
. The last stop for today is at Germany´s largest open-air museum, the Bauernmuseum Detmold
. The museum ground covers over 100 ha and over 90 completely furnished buildings from all the regions of Westphalia were re-erected. These buildings give you great insights and historical background of rural constructions. Daily demonstrations of old handicrafts, including grinding flour, forging, pottery-making, take place. On weekends there are special theme tours, including the typical cottage gardens centuries ago. Also three authentic cafes invite you to relax and sample local flavors.
Day 4: Warendorf / Münster
Warendorf on the Ems River has a lovely town center worth a visit. Waredorf is called the town of horses, famous for breading world-champions and organizing international events such as riding events, world skydiving championships and national swimming championships. A very festive, colorful event is the celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The city of Münster is the main destination for today with its Prinzipal-Market, the cities spacious Domplatz. St. Paul Cathedral is the largest church in Westphalia, built in the 13th century. Many students attend the university and added to the young flair of this old city. Riding bicycle here is most common; some call it the bicycle capital of Germany. For leisure times boutiques, cafes, restaurants and scene pubs guarantee an enjoyable stay. Many museums and the botanical garden next to the former town castle attract countless visitors. For example the Pablo Picasso Museum of Graphic Art is the only museum devoted exclusively to the graphic works of this outstanding artist. Annual historic highlights are the Christmas Markets in the 1,200-year-old city Münster. Except for a few booths near the railroad station, all of the festive markets are within in the city center; near Lambertikirche with its three Anabaptist cages
and the Gothic-style town hall.
Day 5: Bielefeld
Bielefeld is located on both the western and eastern slopes of the Teutoburg Forest with the historical town center on the east side. It is home to Dr. Oetker, the world renowned food manufacturer and Seidensticker, a world brand for clothing and textiles. The most famous landmark is Sparrenburg Castle from where you have great views on the town. Numerous architectural pearls are among the buildings of the old town and good bargains can be made in the shops and malls around Bielefeld.
Bielefeld offers many regional specialties, for example dark pumpernickel bread, a rye bread, not baked but steamed! Other specialties are Westphalian Ham and a clear Schnapps called Weizenkorn
, made of wheat grain; guaranteed to warm you up on a cold day. Another Schnapps specialty called Berliner Luft
is a mix of corn and peppermint. Last but not least and to eat right on the spot is
Lippischer Pickert, a pancake dish that used to be a poor man's food is now considered a specialty. The dough of yeast, water, flour, eggs, grated potatoes and maybe raisins is pan fried and served with butter, plum- or prune-jam; raisins, applesauce, sugar beet syrup or more hearty, topped with fresh Lippe-Liverwurst. Very yummy, give it a try!
Day 6: Departure
Make sure all your shopping goodies are safely packed because today it is time to fly home. Surely you had a great time and enjoyed your stay in this wonderful region of Germany. Bon voyage!
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Where to Stay?
We feature nice vacation rentals and holiday apartments in destinations that are part of this trip plan. Click on a picture of the destination below where you would like to stay, then browse the vacation apartments, pick one you like, and fill out the Check Availability form with your desired travel dates. If you would like to stay in different locations please submit multiple inquiries, specifying the desired travel dates for each vacation apartment where you would like to stay. We will back to you with a free quote quickly (typically within 1-2 business days.)
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region and it is also capital of the government region Regierungsbezirk…
Related: Münster travel guide
Rheda-Wiedenbrück
Rheda-Wiedenbrück, on the Ems river in the state of North-Rhine-Westphalia, is actually two towns in one—which here means not one but two old town centers, filled with beautiful half-timbered houses from the 16th-18th centuries. A modern, fully-equipped…
Related: Rheda-Wiedenbrück travel guide
How to maximize your savings and spend less during your Germany vacation?
You can cut down your vacation costs significantly by following these simple rules:
- Instead of eating out in restaurants most of the time your vacation rental apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen. By preparing your breakfast and dinner yourself you can save lots of money, but you can also live a more authentic Germany vacation by trying out local foods and recipes. (see some German recipe suggestions.)
- Use public transportation instead of a rental car. We provide you with links and details on how to get around using public transportation. Check out the corresponding Live Like a German travel guide for more details.