The locals

Admiring impressive architecture, discovering remnants of the Middle Ages, marveling at crafts on the Krämerbrücke: a stroll through Erfurt makes you hungry. ADAC travel expert Heidi has a few tips for the big and small hunger, sweet or hearty.

"Italy has grappa, Greece has ouzo, and Thuringia has korn." In keeping with this motto, visitors to Nordhausen cannot help but encounter this ancient local speciality: A grain spirit, or "korn", called Echter Nordhäuser.

In the small village of Kaatschen, one timber-framed house follows another. The Saale river flows along one side, while on the other the hills are covered in vines. The entrance to the village is a glorious sight as you cross the Saale river on a stone bridge into the district of Grossheringen. This idyllic spot is home to the Zahn winegrowing estate, and behind its wooden gates lies the restaurant with its inviting terrace. Here, vines grow above the heads of the guests to create a natural green roof.

As you pass Rosanna Minelli’s shop on the Merchants’ Bridge, you can spot the long, green plants to which Erfurt owes it rise to prominence in the Middle Ages. Turning these plants into blue dye was hard and rather unpleasant work. The plants had to be ground, formed into balls and dried before being moistened again in the attics of the woad merchants to extract the dye. And not just with water, but with huge amounts of urine for fermentation, which made the city stink.

Weimar is the home of German Classicism. But it is also so much more than that. Anyone who takes a leisurely stroll through its enchanting old lanes will discover a town full of charm, with secluded spots, friendly people and lovely little shops.

A few years ago, an idea took shape in Matthias Wiegand's mind, as gradually as his gin is now ageing in American oak barrels. He thought he'd like to give up his job as a chemist in order to "make something myself". Now, a few years later, he is sure the decision was right for him. "Although I am constantly venturing into unfamiliar territory, still do almost everything myself - it is utterly fulfilling," says the founder of the Wiegand Manufactur craft gin distillery, not without pride.

Lange Bruecke in Erfurt is home to small independent shops full of charm and character – unique stores that are not part of a big chain and offer a shopping experience with a personal touch. Come and join us as we explore this delightful street and meet the friendly faces behind the shopfronts.

A large mirabelle plum tree stands on the Sonnenberg up above Bad Sulza. That would be reason enough to pause for a moment, sample some of the sweet fruit that has fallen from the tree onto the ground and enjoy the view over the valley below us and of Bad Sulza, the Thuringian spa town with its salt springs. But it’s an entirely different fruit that has lured us up to the Sonnenberg! Because the shell limestone soil of the Sonnenberg, less than an hour’s drive from Weimar, provides perfect growing conditions not only for mirabelles, plums and apples but above all for lots and lots of grapes.