kfusto

We are escorting a group to Germany and Austria this winter for 2 weeks and will have 2 days free to enjoy some private time. I am looking for a location to spend two nights within 2 hours of Nuremberg. We have visited Bamberg, Wurzburg, Rothenburg and Regensburg already and we have been to Munich several times. We will either return to Nuremberg or go to Regensburg to catch up with the group after our side trip.

Our preference is a smaller town or village where we can do a lot of walking and enjoy the hospitality of a small and special accommodation as we will be celebrating our wedding anniversary while there.

A spa town would be most perfect but I am open to any and all suggestions! Spectacular scenery would be ideal.

Thanks.

Palenque

Well Dinkelsbuhl, on the nearby Romantik Road IMO is one of the cutest old towns in Germany - with a classic main square. Not as famous as Rothenburg, just up the road, but to me just as nice (and less tourists to boot)

bettyk

We enjoyed Schwaebisch Hall on the Kocher River very much. A little bit bigger town but the old section is lovely.

http://www.schwaebischhall.de/erlebnisstadt.html

Another town on my "wish list" that I have gotten to yet is Amberg. It is not far from Bamberg and less than an hour by train from Nurnberg. It looks quite interesting.

http://www.amberg.de/index.php?id=4044

Aramis

Bayreuth, Coburg, and Passau come to mind.

Schwaebisch Hall and Dinkelsbuehl are nice, too.

Echnaton

For scenery, the Altmühltal (Eichstätt, Solnhofen, Kelheim - almost up to Regensburg) would be nice. Spa towns within the Altmühltal are Bad Abbach and Bad Gögging. You find a few good hotels there, e.g. Monarch Hotel in Bad Gögging or Parkhotel Altmühltal in Gunzenhausen.

kfusto

Thanks so much for the suggestions! Looks like most are also very easy day trips from Nuremberg so perhaps we will base there and spend our days exploring these areas. Have already been to Nuremberg and really did not care for it but it is a convenient base.

Palenque

recently was in Nuremberg and to me the highlight was taking the S-Bahn out to the old Nazi Parade Grounds and Rallying Point - signs there say these are the most extensive intact relics of the Third Reich - the stadium where The Fuhrer often stood to watch military parades from the balcony that is still there - the parade grounds have been restored - blocks stones uncovered from grass so it looks like it was.

kfusto

Palenque, yes, we did that last year and found it very interesting. We spent two days exploring the rest of the city. I think I expected to be charmed by Nuremberg as I was by Bamberg and Wurzburg but was not. So this year we have three days on our itinerary (I am a group leader for a river cruise and this is the route) so I wanted to get out and explore a bit.

Dinkelsbuhl and Amberg look like a perfect day trip so that will be one day. Now I am looking to fill another two. There is always a visit to Munich for the day.

bettyk

I'm excited to hear that you are considering Amberg. I'll look forward to your trip report.