Distance from base: 300 km

Münster is known as the bicycle capital of Germany and with about 61,500 students it is also a big university city. The city is considered the “creative desk of Westphalia”. Greater Münster is home to many industries such as those of public authorities, consulting companies, insurance companies, banks, computer centres, publishing houses, advertising and design. On top of this Münster has a lot of sights to see. One of the most famous sights is the St. Paul’s Cathedral, built in the 13th century.

But before we will visit Münster where you have free time to stroll the streets by yourself, we will stop at the largest moated castle in the Westphalia region. Castle Nordkirchen is also known as the “Westphalian Versailles” thanks to its enormous dimensions and Baroque layout, as well as the impressive landscape and garden design in the adjacent castle garden. After a tour inside of the castle and some time to take pictures, we will head towards Münster. A tourguide will show you around. After the tour you will have some free time for lunch or further exploration.

In the afternoon we will visit an amazing Open Air Museum called Mühlenhof. The reconstruction of an historic post mill from the Emsland laid the foundation for the Mühlenhof Open-Air Museum in 1961. Situated in the museum grounds on the banks of Lake Aa, almost thirty further original buildings from the 16^th to the 19^th centuries from the Münster region and neighboring areas can be visited. Farmhouses furnished in traditional style are also part of the museum just like craftsman workshops, a single classroom rural school from the 19th century, and an old village shop. The museum therefore provides a vast amount of insight into how peasants and craftsmen once lived and worked near the big city of Münster.