Exploring Franconian Switzerland: A Scenic Adventure with Friends

Finding Serenity in Franconian Switzerland

Today was a day dedicated to unwinding and exploring some of the quieter, yet equally captivating, aspects of Franconian Switzerland. After several days packed with hikes and brewery visits, Olivia and I, along with our friends, decided to take a more relaxed approach. It turned out to be exactly what we needed.

Our day began, as most days have on this trip, with breakfast at the Arivo Aparthotel Restaurant. I must say, their breakfast spread has become a comforting ritual. Nothing too fancy, but it sets us up perfectly for whatever the day holds. Today, knowing we had a spa day planned, I made sure to load up on some extra carbs to fuel the relaxation ahead.


Discover budget-friendly luxury at Arivo Aparthotel in Forchheim, with easy access to local attractions, dining, and fitness facilities.
Our main destination for the day was Kristall Palm Beach, a thermal bath and water park near Nuremberg. Now, I’m not usually one for water parks, but Olivia had heard great things about the spa facilities, and the promise of some warm thermal waters was too good to resist. It was about an hour's drive from Forchheim, but the scenery along the way was lovely, even on a slightly overcast day. The rolling hills and quaint villages made the drive enjoyable, and it gave us a chance to chat and plan the rest of our week. We even started discussing our plans for tomorrow, which include a visit to Burgruine Leienfels and Naturpark Fränkische Schweiz - Veldensteiner Forst. I'm looking forward to seeing some more historical sites and natural landscapes.


Discover the ultimate relaxation and fun at Kristall Palm Beach, a premier water park and wellness center in Stein, Germany, perfect for all ages.
Arriving at Kristall Palm Beach, I was immediately struck by the sheer size of the place. It's massive, with a huge complex of pools, slides, and sauna areas. The main area is designed to resemble a tropical paradise, complete with palm trees and warm, turquoise water. Despite my initial reservations, I have to admit, it was quite impressive. We quickly changed into our swimwear and headed straight for the thermal baths. The warm, mineral-rich water was incredibly soothing, and I could feel my muscles start to relax almost immediately. Olivia was in her element, trying out all the different pools and massage jets. I even braved the wave pool for a bit, which was surprisingly fun.

Sometimes, the greatest adventures are the ones where you simply allow yourself to relax and absorb the moment.

After a couple of hours of soaking and swimming, we decided to explore the sauna area. This was definitely more my speed. The saunas were well-maintained and offered a variety of temperatures and themes. I particularly enjoyed the Finnish sauna, which was incredibly hot and invigorating. Olivia opted for the aroma steam bath, which she said was heavenly. We spent a good part of the afternoon alternating between the saunas and the relaxation areas, feeling our stress melt away with each passing minute.

For lunch, we grabbed a quick bite at one of the cafes inside Kristall Palm Beach. The food was nothing special, but it was convenient and reasonably priced. I had a simple salad, while Olivia went for a classic German Currywurst. After our time at the thermal spa, we wanted to experience a bit of local history, so we decided to drive to Kirche St. Klara in Nuremberg.


Explore the stunning architecture and serene atmosphere of Kirche St. Klara, a cultural gem in the heart of Nuremberg.
Kirche St. Klara, or St. Clare Church, is one of the oldest preserved sacred buildings in Nuremberg. Originally built in the Romanesque style in the 13th century, it later adopted a Gothic appearance in the 15th century. The church has a rich history, having served as a monastery church, a Protestant preaching church, and eventually a Catholic church again in the 19th century. It suffered damage during World War II but was later restored.

The church's architecture is predominantly Gothic, with some remaining Romanesque elements. Inside, the church is simple and solemn, featuring a carved group of the crucifixion of Christ created around 1510. The Pirkheimer Chapel, once the lower part of the nuns' choir, now serves as an entrance chapel. Near the church's northern wall is a bronze sculpture depicting the biblical figure Job.

After soaking in the history of St. Klara, it was time to head back towards Forchheim for our evening plans. We had reservations at Waidwerk, a restaurant known for its Franconian cuisine and game dishes. It’s apparently quite the place, having earned a Michelin star shortly after opening. The restaurant is part of the Gasthaus Rottner, a historic half-timbered building that has been in the Rottner family since 1812.


Experience the finest Bavarian cuisine at Waidwerk in Nuremberg - where tradition meets innovation in every dish.
Waidwerk focuses on seasonal products from local forests and fields, with much of the game sourced from their own hunting grounds. Chef Valentin Rottner is known for his ability to balance traditional and modern cooking techniques, emphasizing salt and acidity to bring out the flavors of the ingredients.

The meal at Waidwerk was truly exceptional. I started with a venison carpaccio, which was incredibly tender and flavorful. Olivia opted for the pumpkin soup, which she raved about. For our main courses, I had the wild boar, while Olivia chose the guinea fowl. Both dishes were cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. The service was attentive and professional, and the ambiance was warm and inviting.

To cap off the evening, we decided to make a stop at Weissenohe Abbey, a historic brewery not too far from Forchheim. The abbey has been brewing beer since the 11th century, making it one of the oldest breweries in the world. Weissenohe Abbey offers a variety of traditional Franconian beers, including their famous Klosterbier. We sat in the cozy beer garden, sipping on their Altfränkisch Klosterbier, a malty amber beer with hints of toast and caramel. It was the perfect way to end a relaxing and fulfilling day. I made sure to grab a couple of bottles to take back to the hotel, knowing that I’d want to savor the taste of Franconian brewing history a little longer.


Experience the enchanting Weissenohe Abbey, where rich history meets exquisite Franconian cuisine and local brews amidst breathtaking scenery.
Tomorrow, we’re planning to explore some more of the natural beauty of Franconian Switzerland. We’ll be visiting Burgruine Leienfels, a ruined castle with stunning views of the surrounding countryside, and Naturpark Fränkische Schweiz - Veldensteiner Forst, a vast natural park perfect for hiking and photography. I’m looking forward to another day of adventure, but for now, I’m content to relax and reflect on the day’s experiences.

Before heading back to the Arivo Aparthotel, we made a quick stop for a late-night snack. We decided to try Heiner's Forellenräucherei, a local fish smokehouse known for its fresh smoked trout. It was a bit of a drive, but the promise of delicious smoked fish was too tempting to resist. Heiner's Forellenräucherei is a family-run establishment that has been serving smoked fish for generations. The smokehouse is located next to a trout farm, ensuring that the fish is always fresh. They offer a variety of smoked fish, including trout, salmon, and eel, as well as potato salads and sausages.


Experience culinary bliss at Heiner's Forellenräucherei, where fishing meets flavorful smoked trout in a stunning Pottenstein setting.
We arrived at Heiner's Forellenräucherei and were immediately greeted by the aroma of smoked fish. The place had a rustic charm, with outdoor seating next to the fish ponds. We ordered some smoked trout, potato salad, and pretzels. The trout was perfectly smoked, with a delicate flavor that was enhanced by the smoky aroma. The potato salad was creamy and flavorful, and the pretzels were fresh and salty. It was the perfect late-night snack to end our day.

As we drove back to the hotel, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the experiences we had today. From the thermal baths to the historic church, the Michelin-starred restaurant to the traditional brewery and late-night smoked fish, it was a day of relaxation, reflection, and culinary delights. It reminded me that sometimes, the greatest adventures are the ones where you simply allow yourself to relax and absorb the moment. And with that thought, I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of tomorrow's adventures in Franconian Switzerland.