Wurzburg or Bamberg as a base?
Oct 15th, 2008, 11:11 AM
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Wurzburg or Bamberg as a base?
My husband and I are planning a trip in August to Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Currently we are putting together our basic itinerary, which includes Brussels, Amsterdam, and the Mosel Valley (probably Trier) with day trips planned from each.
We are also planning to go to Bamberg. Wurzburg looks interesting as well, and we are thinking of going there for a day trip while in Bamberg. Upon checking train connections though, I see that coming from the west, we would connect through Wurzburg enroute to Bamberg. Logistically it seems to make more sense to stay in Wurzburg and then visit Bamberg as a day trip.
Never having been to either town, I am wondering which would be a better choice to stay and which would be a better choice to visit.
Thanks
We are also planning to go to Bamberg. Wurzburg looks interesting as well, and we are thinking of going there for a day trip while in Bamberg. Upon checking train connections though, I see that coming from the west, we would connect through Wurzburg enroute to Bamberg. Logistically it seems to make more sense to stay in Wurzburg and then visit Bamberg as a day trip.
Never having been to either town, I am wondering which would be a better choice to stay and which would be a better choice to visit.
Thanks
Oct 15th, 2008, 11:15 AM
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Both are worth visiting. I think Bamberg has more "charm" in terms of staying over night, but Wurzburg makes more sense based on your itinerary.
Bamberg itself is a UNESCO heritage site, whereas the Wurzburg Residenz is also UNESCO listed.
Here is a fantastic trip report from Fodorite <b>artstuff</b> titled <i>Germany: From the Mosel to Munich - A Detailed Trip Report </i>
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35116484
And here is my trip report from April 2007 with Bamberg and Wurzburg:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34991739
Bamberg itself is a UNESCO heritage site, whereas the Wurzburg Residenz is also UNESCO listed.
Here is a fantastic trip report from Fodorite <b>artstuff</b> titled <i>Germany: From the Mosel to Munich - A Detailed Trip Report </i>
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35116484
And here is my trip report from April 2007 with Bamberg and Wurzburg:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34991739
Oct 15th, 2008, 12:25 PM
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Hi november -
I would try to stay in both if you have time. Wuerzburg has some really interesting things to see - the Residenz, the fortress, Kaepelle. The city is nice but nowhere near a beautiful as Bamberg. I also think that the hotel choice in Bamberg is a bit better. Day trips are fine, but walking around at night gives such an interesting picture.
I would also consider driving from Wuerzburg to Bamberg. A stop at the pilgrimage church of Vierzehnheiligen alone makes renting a car worth it, and it's an easy drive.
I would try to stay in both if you have time. Wuerzburg has some really interesting things to see - the Residenz, the fortress, Kaepelle. The city is nice but nowhere near a beautiful as Bamberg. I also think that the hotel choice in Bamberg is a bit better. Day trips are fine, but walking around at night gives such an interesting picture.
I would also consider driving from Wuerzburg to Bamberg. A stop at the pilgrimage church of Vierzehnheiligen alone makes renting a car worth it, and it's an easy drive.
Oct 15th, 2008, 12:32 PM
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I agree with yk. Wurzburg is along a major transportation hub and would offer better logistics. While Bamberg is a real jewel, Wurzburg has plenty to offer as well. Wurzburg was pretty much bombed to the ground in WWII, Bamberg survived with much less damage and retains an old world feel.
Oct 15th, 2008, 01:05 PM
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The mention of Vierzehnheiligen brought back a vivid memory to me. I was there several years ago, and that was one of the unforgettable highlights of my many trips to Europe. It is uncredibly gorgeous. I had never heard of it, but I was visiting German friends nearby, and they took me to see it. If it is at all possible, try to include a visit there inyour itinerary.
Oct 15th, 2008, 03:17 PM
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Both are worth seeing, and both are worth staying there. A few thoughts that may help you decide:
1. Since you are coming from the West, staying in Würzburg will break the journey and save you on change of train with luggage. This is a plus for Würzburg.
2. Wine or beer? You'll get both in both towns, but...
Bamberg is renowned for its local beer specialities. Rauchbier (smoked beer). I love it. Traditional pubs are everywhere in the old town and along the river.
Würzburg has its vineyards right in town. A running joke in our family is that whenever a family member visits Würzburg, he/she will inevitably "spend the evening in hospital". The two old city hospitals and old people's homes, Bürgerspital and Juliusspital, both own vineyards and run excellent wineries, and each of them has a good restaurant where you can enjoy local food and their own wine.
1. Since you are coming from the West, staying in Würzburg will break the journey and save you on change of train with luggage. This is a plus for Würzburg.
2. Wine or beer? You'll get both in both towns, but...
Bamberg is renowned for its local beer specialities. Rauchbier (smoked beer). I love it. Traditional pubs are everywhere in the old town and along the river.
Würzburg has its vineyards right in town. A running joke in our family is that whenever a family member visits Würzburg, he/she will inevitably "spend the evening in hospital". The two old city hospitals and old people's homes, Bürgerspital and Juliusspital, both own vineyards and run excellent wineries, and each of them has a good restaurant where you can enjoy local food and their own wine.
Oct 15th, 2008, 03:24 PM
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I would love to have time to stay in both Wurzburg and Bamberg - we've only got 3 nights in this area though, and as a general rule, we try to stay in each place at least 2 nights, 3 or more if we can. Just makes for a more relaxing trip for us that way with less packing and unpacking.
The links to the trip reports are great, definitely be helpful in the planning - and I am totally in agreement with artstuff about chosing the train over renting a car. Our plan is to drink beer and wine across Germany and Beligium as well
In fact, the motivation to go to Bamberg specifically is for the rauchbier, so if we stay in Wurzburg, we will most definitely be on the train to and from Bamberg.
Our motivation for going to Belgium is the beer as well. Oh, and the chocolate
yk - I remember your trip report. I am J_Correa with a new screen name - I posted a bit in that thread
The links to the trip reports are great, definitely be helpful in the planning - and I am totally in agreement with artstuff about chosing the train over renting a car. Our plan is to drink beer and wine across Germany and Beligium as well
In fact, the motivation to go to Bamberg specifically is for the rauchbier, so if we stay in Wurzburg, we will most definitely be on the train to and from Bamberg. Our motivation for going to Belgium is the beer as well. Oh, and the chocolate
yk - I remember your trip report. I am J_Correa with a new screen name - I posted a bit in that thread
Oct 15th, 2008, 04:00 PM
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moon:
If you're coming from the west, I'd be tempted to stay all 3 nights in Nuremberg, which is a lovely city and has good train connections to Würzburg and Bamberg. W'burg is okay - but for me W'burg isn't nearly as atmospheric as Bamberg or Nuremberg. I'd maybe stow bags at the W'burg station and visit there for several hours, making sure to see the Residenz. Then head to Nuremberg for night one in the area. Spend a day in Bamberg, and another in Nuremberg.
I would try to squeeze in a day for Rothenburg too if you've never been (connections from Nuremberg also good.)
Your daytrips can be managed with a "Bayern Ticket" (27 Euros still, I think.)
If you're coming from the west, I'd be tempted to stay all 3 nights in Nuremberg, which is a lovely city and has good train connections to Würzburg and Bamberg. W'burg is okay - but for me W'burg isn't nearly as atmospheric as Bamberg or Nuremberg. I'd maybe stow bags at the W'burg station and visit there for several hours, making sure to see the Residenz. Then head to Nuremberg for night one in the area. Spend a day in Bamberg, and another in Nuremberg.
I would try to squeeze in a day for Rothenburg too if you've never been (connections from Nuremberg also good.)
Your daytrips can be managed with a "Bayern Ticket" (27 Euros still, I think.)
Oct 15th, 2008, 04:23 PM
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I'm with Russ on this one.
It would make sense to plan your trip so that you stop in Wurzburg for most of the day, then on to Nuremberg, or Bamberg for your overnights.
You can do Coburg and/or Nurnberg from Bamberg as abase ( which seems to be the decided portion of your plan) or
Bamberg and Regensburg from a Nurnberg base.
I think Wurzburg is the lease attractive and interesting place to stay for several nights out of the options.
It would make sense to plan your trip so that you stop in Wurzburg for most of the day, then on to Nuremberg, or Bamberg for your overnights.
You can do Coburg and/or Nurnberg from Bamberg as abase ( which seems to be the decided portion of your plan) or
Bamberg and Regensburg from a Nurnberg base.
I think Wurzburg is the lease attractive and interesting place to stay for several nights out of the options.
Oct 15th, 2008, 04:48 PM
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If you're going to drink beer, then I would recommend staying in Bamberg, where there are 10 breweries right in town, and dozens more on the outskirts (if you have a car and the time to visit them).
My husband and I spent two nights at the Hotel Weierich ( www.hotel-weierich.de ), which is conveniently located in the Alstadt section, within an easy walking distance to several breweries.
Since we booked two nights we were able to spend the whole day and night sampling the different wonderful beers (and doing our laundry). It was nice having the hotel room to retreat to, and freshen up for the next round.
Definately stay in Bamberg, but do consider visiting Würzburg, or even Nürnburg, as a side trip. Both are well worth the stop.
Thanks, yk, for posting a link to my trip report. It's hard to believe that it was one year ago this month that we were in Germany. For the last week my husband and I have been reminiscing daily on "where we were today", trying to relive some of those great memories.
Robyn>-
My husband and I spent two nights at the Hotel Weierich ( www.hotel-weierich.de ), which is conveniently located in the Alstadt section, within an easy walking distance to several breweries.
Since we booked two nights we were able to spend the whole day and night sampling the different wonderful beers (and doing our laundry). It was nice having the hotel room to retreat to, and freshen up for the next round.
Definately stay in Bamberg, but do consider visiting Würzburg, or even Nürnburg, as a side trip. Both are well worth the stop.
Thanks, yk, for posting a link to my trip report. It's hard to believe that it was one year ago this month that we were in Germany. For the last week my husband and I have been reminiscing daily on "where we were today", trying to relive some of those great memories.
Robyn
>-
Oct 15th, 2008, 06:07 PM
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When we were in Germany a couple years ago, we spent time in Nuremberg and really enjoyed it. While we were there, we planned to visit Rothenberg and Bamberg, but we didn't get to both - enjoyed Nuremberg so much we spent more time there I wanted to visit B and my husband wanted to visit R - so we let train scheduled and fares break the tie. Rothenberg won.
I think that staying in Bamberg is probably what we will do - it seems like a better choice and that stoping in Wurzburg for a few hours on the way would be great. One thing about when we visited Rothenberg as a day trip from Nuremberg - I wished we had an overnight there so we could wander the streets in the evening when the day tripers had gone away. I would probably feel the same way about Bamberg if we visited only as a day trip. If we stay in Bamberg we can walk in the evennings and have more time with the beer
I wanted to visit B and my husband wanted to visit R - so we let train scheduled and fares break the tie. Rothenberg won.I think that staying in Bamberg is probably what we will do - it seems like a better choice and that stoping in Wurzburg for a few hours on the way would be great. One thing about when we visited Rothenberg as a day trip from Nuremberg - I wished we had an overnight there so we could wander the streets in the evening when the day tripers had gone away. I would probably feel the same way about Bamberg if we visited only as a day trip. If we stay in Bamberg we can walk in the evennings and have more time with the beer
Oct 15th, 2008, 06:13 PM
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Hi november_moon - You threw me a curved ball there, with a new screen name!
Since you mentioned Belgium beer, perhaps you'd be interested in my trip to Belgium last month? My husband only had about 20 beers in 4 days...
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35158225
Since you mentioned Belgium beer, perhaps you'd be interested in my trip to Belgium last month? My husband only had about 20 beers in 4 days...
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35158225
Oct 16th, 2008, 07:01 AM
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I am sure that either town will make a nice stop.
Würzburg is my favorite town in Germany. I was assigned there for about 18 months so I may be prejudiced. I best like the walk across the river and up to Marienberg Festung (fortress). On that same side of the river, I like the walk up to the Käppele through the vineyards, which is lined with the "Stages of the Cross". My wife is most fond of the Archbishop's Residenz in town.
We liked two hotels: Barbarossa and Sankt Josef. Barbarossa is less expensive, on the edge of the pedestrian zone and near the train station. The Sankt Josef has a good restaurant, an excellent breakfast and is only a couple blocks from the pedestrian zone. The Barbarossa sits atop a commercial building and its breakfast room looks out over the towns spires to the vineyards that circle the city.
Both towns have a university and a life beyond tourism, which I prefer. We are spending a couple days in each town this December.
Regards, Gary
Würzburg is my favorite town in Germany. I was assigned there for about 18 months so I may be prejudiced. I best like the walk across the river and up to Marienberg Festung (fortress). On that same side of the river, I like the walk up to the Käppele through the vineyards, which is lined with the "Stages of the Cross". My wife is most fond of the Archbishop's Residenz in town.
We liked two hotels: Barbarossa and Sankt Josef. Barbarossa is less expensive, on the edge of the pedestrian zone and near the train station. The Sankt Josef has a good restaurant, an excellent breakfast and is only a couple blocks from the pedestrian zone. The Barbarossa sits atop a commercial building and its breakfast room looks out over the towns spires to the vineyards that circle the city.
Both towns have a university and a life beyond tourism, which I prefer. We are spending a couple days in each town this December.
Regards, Gary
Oct 16th, 2008, 07:51 AM
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Wholeheartedly agree with artstuff. If beer is one of the purposes of your trip, Bamberg wins hands down...the number, and quality, of breweries in Bamberg is astounding.
Here's a good website for Bamberg beer:
http://www.beerguide.de/bamberg/bamberg.htm
I traveled to Bamberg in 2006 specifically for the beer and stayed there for a week. I visited Wurzburg as a daytrip and was thrilled that I was staying in Bamberg...besides the beer, Bamberg seemed more charming to me.
Cheers!
Here's a good website for Bamberg beer:
http://www.beerguide.de/bamberg/bamberg.htm
I traveled to Bamberg in 2006 specifically for the beer and stayed there for a week. I visited Wurzburg as a daytrip and was thrilled that I was staying in Bamberg...besides the beer, Bamberg seemed more charming to me.
Cheers!
