Converted from an old monastery into a castle for the Count of Waldeck. Our Queen Emma was also born here. Bad Arolsen therefore plays an important role in the history of our royal family and is thus included in the Orange Route for good reason.

Opening hours: from May to September from 10.00 – 16.00. In April and October from 10.00-15.00. The castle is closed on Mondays. From November to March: only guided tours on Saturdays at 11.00.

Price: adults € 5 p.p. children up to 14 years old € 1.50 p.p. For your navigation system: Schloss strasse 27, Bad Arolsen

Waldeck Castle was the castle of the counts of Waldeck before they moved to Schloss Arolsen in Bad Arolsen. When the castle was no longer inhabited, it was used as a prison. Today the castle is used as a hotel and museum.

From the Edersee you can take the cable car to the city and Waldeck Castle, from where you have a magnificent view of the Edersee. You can take your bicycle up there for a small fee.

Open: daily 9.30-18.30For your navigation system: Schloss Strasse 1, Waldeck

Wewelsburg Castle is a castle in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, built in the shape of a triangle by the Prince of Paderborn between 1603 and 1609. In 1934 the castle was rented for a hundred years by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, who wanted to convert it into a Reichsführerschule for future SS officers. This would make the castle an Ordensburg.

The Wewelsburg was also the headquarters of the SS. From 1939 to 1943, most construction work was carried out by forced labourers. These were often political prisoners and prisoners of war. In the large tower, the Nordturm, a marble mosaic of a Schwarze Sonne or Sonnenrad was created. Himmler used this room, the Obergruppenführersaal, in accordance with the custom of the Knights of the Round Table of King Arthur, so with only twelve guests around his table, and Himmler himself as thirteenth. Thirteen Persons may also be a parody of the Last Supper or Himmler as the black sun surrounded by the signs of the zodiac.

Under the Nordturm, which should have been expanded into the Mittelpunkt der Welt, lies the Gruft, a hallowed space for deceased SS officers. In the spring of 1940, the Niederhagen concentration camp was also opened near the castle. In 1945 Himmler ordered the castle to be blown up. This was partly successful: only the large north tower was destroyed. In 1973, the restoration of the Nordturm started. In 1977 it was decided to restore the entire castle in order to preserve it as a war memorial with a museum and youth hostel.

For your navigation system: Burgwall 19, 33142 BürenDistance from Schlosshotel Sophia: 22 km

High above Detmold is the landmark of the city and the Teutoburg Forest, the Hermannsdenkmal. The monument commemorates the victory over the Romans in 9 AD here somewhere in the Teutoburg Forest. The monument, which is approximately 54 metres high, is now a popular sight and also offers a wonderful view of Detmold, Lippe and the Teutoburg Forest. For sporty visitors, the Teuto climbing park is located on the edge of the monument, which offers a lot of adventure and fun for young and old with different levels of difficulty.

Open: During summer, daily from 9.30 – 18.30 – During winter, daily from 9.30 – 16.00For your navigation system: Grotenburg 50, 32758 Detmold

The Externsteine are a sandstone formation in the Teutoburg Forest in Germany, near Detmold. The formation consists of a few long stones, which rise abruptly from the hilly landscape. The stones are made of sandstone and originated in the Cretaceous, about 120 million years ago. The Externsteine are considered a landmark in North Rhine-Westphalia and also a breeding ground for a mystery. This is because traces of human use from the Middle Ages, possibly from prehistoric times, have been found on it.

A very touristic village located at the bottom of the 838-metres-high Ettelsberg. In Willingen you will find a glassworks, summer toboggan run, fairytale park and a small wildlife park. The gondola takes you to an extensive hiking area with a lookout tower on top of the Ettelsberg. There is also a cosy brewery where you can taste beer. Willingen is an active city in terms of tourism, and with its beautiful location, it is definitely worth a visit. Make sure to visit the glassworks as well. You can watch how glassblowing is done. It is also possible to actively participate in this for a fee. They also have a shop where you can buy the hand-blown works of art. Distance from Schlosshotel Sophia: 29 km.

1200 square metres of water surface divided over 2 indoor and 2 outdoor pools in a Caribbean atmosphere offers you the opportunity to relax all year round. Slides, lovely warm water (32 degrees), sauna and much more; you will find it all here. You can also follow an extensive wellness programme, enjoy massages, etc.

In Bruchhausen you will find the Bruchhauser Steine: four immense boulders from the Ice Age. Park your car at the bottom of the mountain and take a beautiful walk along the stones, until you reach the highest stone (the Feldstein) 1½ hours later. This does require good mobility. Alternatively, you can drive up with your car. From there it is only a 5-minute walk to the highest point. The Feldstein can be climbed. You don't have to be too sporty or trained for this, but make sure you wear sturdy shoes. The view is breathtakingly beautiful, even for those who stayed behind at the bottom of the Feldstein. Don't forget your camera! Distance from Schlosshotel Sophia: 26 km.

Just below the town of Warstein is the famous Warsteiner Brewery. The excursion starts with a reception in the new visitor centre and continues with a film in the revolving cinema about the history of the brewery. You then take a train through the brewery and see the entire brewing process: from brewing beer to bottling the bottles. Later you can taste a beer yourself. You can have lunch here and visit the Warsteiner souvenir shop. The brewery is open daily, except that the machines are not in operation on Saturdays and Sundays. Price: € 10 p.p. For your navigation system: Am Waldpark1, Warstein. Distance from Schlosshotel Sophia: 37 km.

You would not expect an amusement park of this size in the hills of the Sauerland. A park with the necessary spectacular attractions, such as getting wet in the “Rio Grande”, from the “Stüpelberg” quickly down the famous toboggan run and upside down in the “Werbelwind”. Or enjoy a wonderful view from the Ferris wheel. And if you want to drive a bit, you can do so in the “Beverly Hills Drive”. Fort Fun is good for a day full of excitement and sensation. Before you know it, you’ll feel like you’re in the Wild West! Price: adults from € 27.50 p.p. and € 22.00 per child (4-11 yrs). From March – November 2016 For more information regarding opening hours and attractions, please refer to the brochure in our brochure rack. For your navigation system: Aurorastrasse, Wasserfall / Bestwig FORT FUN. Distance from Schlosshotel Sophia: 38 km.

This park was established near Paderborn in 1969. A varied set of different attractions and a zoo with many animal species and some spectacular shows make a day at this park a true celebration. The park has, among other things, a wild water ride, a roller coaster and various children's attractions. Some animal enclosures have a special design and exude an oriental atmosphere. Price: adults from € 28 p.p. and € 24 per child (4-14 yrs). The park is open daily from early March to late October from 9.00 to 18.00. In July even until 22.00 and in August until 19.00. For your navigation system: Mittweg 16, Stukenbrock Distance from Schlosshotel Sophia: 54 km.

Experience Willingen's glassworks. Here you can see how traditional glassblowing works. Turn your visit into a unique event and make your own glass with a little help. In the shop you can buy all kinds of beautiful hand-blown works of art. You can also enjoy various delicious coffee specialties in the adjacent Café Shop. Open: April to October: Mondays through Fridays from 10.00 to 17.00. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 to 16.00. November to March: Mondays through Fridays from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 17.00. On Saturdays from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 16.00. On Sundays from 10.00 to 12.30. For your navigation system: Zur Hoppecke 9, 34508 Willingen. Distance from Schlosshotel Sophia: 28 km. Website: www.glasmanufaktur-willingen.de

In the park you will find exotic animals, Barbary apes, parrots, brown bears, felines, etc. There are also impressive shows with birds of prey every day (except on Thursdays). The bird of prey shelter is closed in February. The shows will take place from April-Oct at 12.00, 14.15 and 16.15 and from Nov-March at 13.00. The parrot information shows (not in March) take place from April-Oct at 11.15, 13.15 and 15.15 and from Nov-February at 12.00 and 15.00. The park also features a fascinating underwater world, hunting museum, Dinoland and much more. Open: April-Oct 9.00 – 18.00 / Nov-March 10.00-16.00. For your navigation:Am Ettelsberg 2, 34508 Willingen. Distance from Schlosshotel Sophia: 30 km. Website: www.wildpark-willingen.de

Paderborn, highly recommended! An atmospheric Diocese city that has existed for 1200 years. The centre is located around the “Paderborn Cathedral”. Here you will find various clothing and souvenir shops and other cosy shops where you can buy all kinds of gadgets. The centre consists of a mix of very beautiful, restored historic buildings. The combination of the different architectural styles provides a special and distinct effect. Moreover, you will find the better and larger shops in Paderborn. Distance from Schlosshotel Sophia: 35 km.

In Hans Schlömer's Curioseum, there is something for everyone. Spread across 1500 square metres you will find, among other things, a space car, curiosities from the ‘lost and found’ department from the port of Hamburg, piranhas from the Amazon, rare aircraft, old winter sports equipment, model ships, dream cars and much more. Open: daily from May-October from 10.00 – 18.00. From November to April on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 – 17.00. Price: adults € 4.50 p.p. Youth (6-16 yrs). For your navigation system: Düdinghäuser strasse 1, 34508 Willingen. Website: www.curioseum-willingen.de