Janice Bond with James TravelPOINTS just recently visited Southwest Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg). Baden-Württemberg is the third largest German Federal state. It stretches from Lake Constance also referred to as the Swabian Sea to the River Rhine in the west and the River Main in the north. Three low mountain ranges give the landscape its typical Face: the Black Forest, The Swabian Alb and the Odenwald. Southwest Germany is also the third largest winegrowing region in Germany and stretches from Lake Constance to the valley of the Tauber.

My journey began in Stuttgart, the capital of Southwest Germany.  Stuttgart is the birthplace of the modern automobile as well as the home town of Mercedes Benz and Porsche. The Mercedes Benz museum is not to be missed, embarking on a journey transported back in time to the year 1886- the birth year of legend that surrounds the pioneering invention of Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz- the automobile. Stuttgart has the International Trade Fair Ground which is a great location for Meeting and Conventions right next to the airport and has meeting rooms and event space for up to 9,300 people. Stuttgart Christmas Market with its 250 plus superbly decorated stalls is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe.

On our second day we traveled to the city of Bad Friedrichshall and visited the Lehen Palace. Then we traveled to Bad Wimpfen where emperors lived during the era of the Staufener, it is considered a medieval town with its Blue and Red towers and the Staufen Imperial Place Chapel. The narrow, paved stoned street with half timbered houses will bring you back into another period of time.

Then we moved on to Neckarzimmen to spend the night at Castle Hornberg,  old tower, the highest part of  the castle, was mentioned in documents as early as 1184. In the chaos of war this tower was a refuge for all the village people for whom the lord of the castle was the responsible patron.

We traveled on to Heidelberg where we visited the home of the first German University; it was founded there in 1386.  Heidelberg Castle with its largest wine cask, historical main landmark sits about 70m above the river Neckar on the hillside of the Kongisstuhl, the mountain. The ruins of the electoral castle are the most impressive and important Renaissance building north of the Alps.

 Then to the City of Baden-Baden, with its Mediterranean charm, renowned across the world as an elegant spa town for its beneficial hot springs. And home to the world’s most beautiful casino. The Caracalla Therme is said to be one of the finest thermal baths in Europe. (900 sq m of thermal water pools).

Gengenback was our next stop, once called “a pearl among the cities of half-timbered houses”. The world’s biggest advents calendar is on classicistic city hall. Also they are well known for the Fastnacht Carnival of Germany.

Freiburg at the foot of the black forest is very special ecclesiastic experience the Freiburg Cathedral with the “most beautiful spire in Christendom”. Freiburg, the capital of the Black Forest, with its valleys and peaks of Germany’s biggest low-mountain range. Traditional Black Forest Gateau, Houses, Costumes and Hats as well as the famous Cuckoo Clock are all worldwide symbols.

 Titisee is where we took a carriage ride through what was known as the “Hell’s Valley” (was a wild and romantic valley and very narrow). Horse-drawn carriages could hardly get passed each other, this route became famous when Marie-Antoinett, the daughter of the Empress Maria-Theresia, was on he way from Vienna to Paris to get married to Louis 16^th. Also world-famous for cuckoo clocks. The first Black Forest clock was made in the year 1640, not far away from the village of Breitnau.

Off to Lake Constance (Three countries and a lake with maritime charm). The lake is surrounded by 273 K of lakeshore. Germany on the South, Switzerland on the North and Austria on the Western tip. Meersburg is surrounded by vineyards and the lake shore of Constance. Meersburg whose medieval castle-the oldest inhabited castle of Germany – and baroque castle grounds shape the silhouette of the town, the old houses and fortification structures appear to be stacked on top of each other. All around the lake you can find old towns whose historical character has been preserved. The Castle of Meersburg is like an apparition form another world, the magical Castle of Meereburg stands proudly overlooking Lake Constance. According to legend, this massive fortress dates back to the 7^th century. Next we traveled to Sigmaringen where we visited Sigmaringen castle belonging to the princes of Hohenzollern and re-live the past in historical authentic surroundings, one of the largest private residences of Germany and admire close to one thousand years of royal art and architecture. First mentioned in 1077, the former medieval fortress perched high upon a cliff overlooking the Danube River. Renowned as the official ancestral seat of the counts and princes of Hohenzollern since 1535, Sigmaringen castle has played a significant role in the chronicles of world history. The Hohenzollerns lineage is numbered among the oldest and most aristocratic in Germany. Next to its splendid art treasures, Sigmaringen castle also houses one of the largest private collections of weapons and firearms in Europe. The armory, an impressive collection of offensive and defensive weaponry is displayed, offering a glimpse into the history of warfare. Almost 3000 exhibits ranging from the 14^th to the 20^th centuries outline the technical development of weaponry and warfare. Included are suits of mail and armor as well as a wide variety of offensive and defensive armaments.

Our last day we traveled to Tubingen, this historic Old town is scattered with its small steps, narrow alley and pointed gables. The Swabian university city with its 85,000 inhabitants and 20,000 students combines the flair of a lovingly renovated city center dating back to the Middle Ages with the colorful, bustling and vital consciousness of a young and cosmopolitan student city. Tubingen is one of the most famous university towns. Poets and thinkers like Holderlin, Hauff, Morike, Uland, Schiller and Kepler have all studied there. From the Platanenallee (avenue of plane trees), which is one of the most beautiful avenues in the country with its almost two centuries old trees, one has the best view of the famous and picturesque Tubingen “Nickarfront” (front of the Nackar). As early as the Middle Ages, houses were bilt on the town wall where the Neckar flows around. Castle Hohentubiningen. First mentioned as a castle of the counts of Tubingen in 1078. The larger part of the present castle, which houses numerous University institutes and collections, dates grom the 16^th C. Its most beautiful ornament is the Renaissance portal of 1606 modelled on a Roman triumphal arch, the centre of which shows the coat of arms of the Duchy of Wurttemberg. Some parts of town still have the remains of the medieval town wall. The market place with Neptune’s fountain is a popular place along the Neckar water front. Here we also visited the Gasthausbrauerei Nickarmuller for a little beer seminar. German Southwest with Castles and Medieval towns are almost heaven.

It was a jammed packed journey with plenty of highlights.  Call James TravelPOINTS to plan your European vacation 1-800-274-0436, www.travelpoints.com

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What a great vacation and great value.  Secrets Maroma, a 5 star Adults Only All-Inclusive Resort and Spa located south of Cancun along the beautiful Riviera Maya beaches of Mexico.  Andy James a travel agency owner for the past 30 years with James TravelPOINTS just spent 5 nights at this all-inclusive luxury resort.  With all the media hype about the swine flu prior to going, we decided to go a head and check out this property along with 2 others which were also exceptional, Secrets Silversands and Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita.   After we arrived into Cancun and transferred to the Secrets Maroma Resort, (no swine flu in Cancun) we saw a beautiful resort hotel feeling the direct effects of the media over sensationalizing the flu crisis.  The resort running around 35 – 40 percent occupancy at the time we arrived was eager and ready to make every guests experience a memorable one.     This resort is for couples who want to get away from the day to day and enjoy the ambience of a relaxing vacation, without the kids in a luxury, stylish and fun atmosphere.  The resorts sits on a beautiful beach called Maroma Beach, considered one of the “Best Beaches” in the world with its powder white sand and warm ocean currents and vibrant coral reefs.  If you like to walk or swim in the ocean, this is an ideal location, the surf is minimal and swimming is safe or you walk for miles in either direction. No worry about ocean currents unless you try to swim over to Cozumel. As you enter the main lobby you are greeted by a large water sculpture and friendly hotel staff ready to assist.  All the rooms are suites with ocean views of the turquoise ocean off in the distance.  Rooms located on the ground level have their own swim out pool area.  Each room suite has a large private walk out patio with is own “splash pool”, a large king size bed or twin queens if you prefer, a large Jacuzzi tub, nice vanity and shower and of course a large flat screen TV with multi cable channels.  The mini-fridge is fully stocked with all sorts of beverages and if you have a preference, they will stock it for you, free of charge.  If you prefer to up-grade your stay, you can use the Preferred Club, an exclusive lounge area providing concierge service, daily continental breakfast service, afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, a great bar, desserts & fine liquors along with 4 computers for easy access to the internet.  The resort has 2 large swimming pools, lots of umbrellas for shade, easy access to the beach with plenty of palapas with towels, lounge chairs and a nice ocean breeze.   Around the pool is the pool restaurant which serves a la carte local fare, the pool bars and attentive wait staff ready to assist.   If you are wondering about the bars and lounges at this resort there are plenty, 8 bars and lounges serving unlimited premium beverages including pool and beach wait service.  The main lobby bar in the evening is delightful gathering spot before and after dinner.    The dining option are fabulous, they have 7 different restaurants to satisfy your appetite.   All the restaurants are a la carte menus.  The El Patio restaurant serves authentic Mexican fare which was good.   The Seaside grill located near the pools offer a selection of fresh fish and steaks (the tenderloin served here is marvelous and superb).  The Asian restaurant Himitsu located in the main lobby serves up Pan-Asian specialties and sushi.   Bordeauxthe French cuisine restaurant and Portofino’s the Northern Italian restaurant also located in the main lobby are nice elegant dining options.  All excellent dining venues with a good selection of house wines from Chile. The only buffet we saw was in the morning for breakfast and it was good.   Evening attire in the main lobby requires men to wear long pants and a nice polo or button down shirt.      If you are a golfer,  Secrets Maroma has a relationship with Playa Mujeres golf club with complimentary green fees.  A Golf Cart fee of $35.00 U.S. per person is required and if you need to rent clubs plan on paying an additional $35-$40.  The golf course is in great shape, tight scenic course with various water hazards and bunkers.  The back 9 has good views of the ocean, local beaches and the island of Isla Mujeres.  The drive from Secrets Maroma to the golf course is approximately 1 hour, and its north of Cancun.  You will need to rent a car to drive up their, or plan on paying for a transfer which could run around $100 or more roundtrip.  It’s definitely worth a golf trip if you like to play golf. Other day time activities include sitting in your lounge pool chair around one of the (2) swimming pools or swim-out pools watching the clouds and sipping your favorite beverage.  If you are a lap swimmer, the 2^nd pool is approximately 125 yards long and is great for lap swimming.  There is a fitness room, (2) tennis courts (good courts but play early in the morning) pool volleyball, water aerobics and other low key events.   On the beach safe swimming in the ocean, windsurfing, hobie cats, kayaks, snorkeling, diving clinics and beach walking.  The resort offers daily snorkeling and dive trips at an additional cost.   The Spa by Pevonia is over 13,000 sq feet of sublime atmosphere and very impressive.  Amenities include hydrotherapy and indigenous treatments.  Multiple massage styles indoors and out, Jacuzzi baths, sauna and steam rooms.  Worth a visit if you are into Spa treatments, from what I hear.  They also do nails. This resort is very attentive to their guest well being while on vacation, the staff is very friendly and customer oriented.   Another pleasant feature is they do not require guest to wear a “wrist band” like all the other all-inclusive resorts.   I would rate this hotel a 5 star property with originality over conformity.  This is a luxury resort with a refreshing array of character and ambience.  They provide the widest variety of dining and guest service amenities that is unique and distinctive.  This is the kind of hotel you dream about and pamper yourself with over and over and over.   

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