Ramstein Air Base — Kaiserslautern, Germany

"Kaiserslautern has excellent Turkish food. This is not a coincidence."

Germany has the world's largest Turkish immigrant community outside Turkey. Kaiserslautern has excellent Turkish restaurants and kebab shops that far exceed what the American military community typically discovers.

"The Pfalz produces more wine than any other German region."

The German Wine Road runs through the Palatinate — Deidesheim and Neustadt are the best towns for wine estate restaurants. Pfälzer Saumagen (stuffed pig stomach — better than it sounds) and Riesling.

"Cross the Rhine for France. Strasbourg is 90 minutes. Worth it."

Alsace in France is just across the Rhine — a region with German history and French cooking standards. Tarte flambée (Flammkuchen), choucroute, and excellent wine. Strasbourg's restaurant scene is world-class.

"Village gasthaus culture in the Pfälzerwald."

Drive into any Pfälzerwald village and find the local Gasthaus. Regional specialties vary by village — Leberknödel (liver dumplings), Zwiebelkuchen (onion cake with new wine), roast game.

"The birthplace of German democracy. On a hilltop above the wine road."

The 1832 Hambacher Fest — a mass democratic demonstration at this castle — is considered the birth of the German democracy movement. The castle has a museum. The hill view of the Rhine plain is excellent.

"Germany's largest contiguous forest. Wild pigs, deer, and silence."

The Pfälzerwald is a UNESCO biosphere reserve — 1,771 square kilometers of mixed forest with no through traffic. Excellent trail network, mountain bike routes, and forest huts.

"The largest surviving Romanesque church in the world. 30 minutes east."

The Kaiserdom in Speyer is a UNESCO World Heritage site — the largest Romanesque cathedral in the world, built in the 11th century. Eight Holy Roman Emperors are buried in the crypt.

"85km from almond blossoms to the French border. Europe's first wine road."

The Deutsche Weinstraße runs from Schweigen on the French border to Bockenheim — through continuous Riesling and Dornfelder vineyards, wine villages, and castle ruins. Excellent cycling route with countless stops.

"Richard the Lionheart's imprisonment castle. Pfälzerwald setting."

Burg Trifels in the Pfälzerwald was the prison for Richard I of England (the Lionheart) and later held the Imperial Crown Jewels. The approach through forest on a rocky sandstone ridge is dramatic.

"Two of Europe's greatest cycling rivers within 90 minutes."

The Mosel River cycling path (from Koblenz) and Rhine cycling path are both accessible from Ramstein for day and weekend trips. Castle-studded valleys with bike-friendly ferries across the rivers.

"The capital of Alsace and the European Parliament. 90 minutes west."

Strasbourg has the most beautiful old town in France — the Grande Île is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with half-timbered houses, the massive Gothic cathedral, and the Petite France canal quarter.

"The hospital that received every American wounded in war since 2001."

LRMC is a solemn and important part of the Ramstein community. The hospital has received every service member medically evacuated from Iraq and Afghanistan. Understanding its role deepens appreciation for the assignment.

"Space shuttle Buran, Boeing 747, and a submarine. Outside."

The Technik Museum in Speyer has the Soviet space shuttle Buran, a Boeing 747 on a pedestal, a full submarine (walk through it), and dozens of historic aircraft and vehicles. One of Germany's best family museums.

"European Legoland. 2.5 hours from Ramstein on a good traffic day."

The German Legoland is one of Europe's best family theme parks — massive Lego installations, rides, and the signature Miniland with European landmarks. ITT discount available.