Wartburg Castle, Thuringian Forest, Germany

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Wartburg Castle and Thuringian Forest, Germany

As you glance over today's photo of the trees changing colour in Thuringian Forest in Germany, make note of the castle in the distance. That's Wartburg, a castle built in the Middle Ages that holds significance to people of faith. It was the home of the Catholic Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia, and also where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German while in exile. It's the area's most popular tourist attraction and has been recognised for its quintessential medieval architecture.

If the castle isn't of interest to you, Thuringian Forest, known as the Green Heart of Germany, has plenty of its own charm for tourists. The oldest and most popular long-distance hiking trail in Germany, the Rennsteig, is around 170 kilometres long within the forest. If you're out for a hike you'll notice the general quietness of the area and fresh, unpolluted air. You may even find the tiny villages that are spread around the area and have a reputation for welcoming outsiders.