Castles, culture and a land steeped in history are what drew me back to Germany for my second visit to this scenic country. This time I wanted to get a flavor of some of the famous cites as well as a first-hand look at the magnificent homes and castles that dot the landscape.

I flew into Düsseldorf International Airport and found that passing through customs was effortless. Düsseldorf is a thoroughly modern airport with its own sky train transportation system, retail shops and an elevated outside deck from which you can see planes departing and arriving from all over the world.

Some 18 million residents live within a 100 km radius of this city, which is packed with art galleries, theaters and shopping. Konigsalle Boulevard is generally regarded as one of the premier shopping districts in all of Europe. After I had a leisurely typical German lunch of sauerbraten, I walked off some of the calories along the Rhine promenade that runs alongside the old quarter of the city and is quite lovely.

Situated close to the border of Belgium, Aachen was once the seat of imperial power, and in 789 A.D., Charlemagne laid the cornerstone for the Aachen Cathedral, a major tourist attraction. Charlemagne came here for the natural spa’s thermal waters and to consolidate power. His throne (used mostly for ceremonial purposes) is still intact in the cathedral. This was the first German site to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1978).

One of the highlights of Aachen is the water, heated by volcanoes and considered medicinal by the Celts and later the Romans. Today, these waters heat the Carolus Thermal Baths that is more like an indoor waterpark with various pools providing bubbly pleasures. Locals drink the water at various points in the city and claim it helps them to remain healthy.

One thing that I truly loved about Germany was all of the bakeries that seemed to pop up around every corner. Printen was something I discovered on this trip and I quickly became addicted to this gingerbread-like confection that comes in large chewy rectangles, plain or coated. Since printen originated in Aachen, it is available year round there but it is sold mostly during Christmas in other parts of Germany.

With 280,000 residents, the city of Münster has been called The Bicycle Capital of Germany and deemed the most livable city in the world. In fact, one of the first things I noticed about Münster was that it seemed that everyone owned a bike and used it for basic transportation around the city. Germany’s third largest university is located here and students comprise a good portion of the population.

Münster is a cosmopolitan city with vibrant art, green spaces, shopping districts, and architecture that blends both traditional and modern. The promenade, which forms a circle around the old quarter of Münster, is home to St. Paul’s Cathedral and its intriguing astronomical clock. This device was constructed in 1543 and is a marvel of engineering.

Münster has withstood the temptation to add chain stores and restaurants. Rather, you will find many family-owned establishments serving traditional local cuisine.. Among other things, Germans seem to know how to make the best ice cream and gelato whose delights can be seen on the smiling faces of many as they stroll the winding cobblestone streets.

Located between Münster and Düsseldorf, the small town of Gelsenkirchen is typical of many that relied heavily on the production of coal for survival. Many of the relics still remain as a reminder of a major part of Germany’s history. Off in the distance, I could see a pithead that now sits as a skeleton against a sunset sky, a remnant of a not so distant past.

The Das Klein Museum is situated in a working class neighborhood with the nostalgia-filled bottom floor from the descendents of German coal miners. This is really a monument to the early days of mining and the small house turned museum is filled with miners’ hats, photos, equipment, and interesting artifacts brought up from the mines. You can even arrange to experience a typical lunch as would have been served to workers who labored in miles of underground tunnels.

Germany is undergoing a transformation in terms of its historical homes and castles. Many of these were damaged in World War II but are experiencing a rebirth by entrepreneurs who are breathing new life into these structures and turning them into fashionable bed and breakfasts.

All this is part of a national effort to increase tourism in Germany and let people know of the opportunities available to stay in one of these beautiful homes. I recently had the chance to visit some of the properties in the state of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW), which borders the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

In conjunction with a company called Culture and Castles, visitors can choose accommodations from over 30 castles, manor houses and stately homes. This is not your average B & B as you will discover by looking at their website. Many homes have sprawling grounds and gardens and are decorated with Victorian furniture.

Germany’s history can be traced back hundreds of years and many of these old walls have stories to tell. Haus Hertfeld in the town of Weeze, for example, traces its roots back to the 14th century where it was a manor and later a Baroque chateau. The neighboring Rentei and ruins were destroyed during WWII but are now being rebuilt to accommodate guests on the banks of the River Niers.

At Ossenberg Castle, close to Rheinberg, you can stay in a former governor’s residence with the Duke and Duchess von Urach as your hosts. William Albert Urach is the Fifth Duke of Urach and has four tastefully decorated double rooms, all with private baths. Each morning, the Duke and Duchess were my breakfast companions as they served a traditional German breakfast of meats, cheeses, homemade breads, rolls, eggs, juice, and coffee.

Germany’s proximity to other countries (Belgium, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Poland) makes it an ideal place to explore while venturing into other lands. Arnheim, for example, the site of a historic WW II battle, was only 60 minutes from Ossenberg.

Even though my visit was a short one, I found that the people of Germany were friendly, hard working and eager to welcome visitors to their country. Still showing the scars of the last world war, this land is reinventing itself as a mainstream tourist destination and inviting the world for a visit.