My brother and his wife joined my wife and I for a train tour of towns in Franken (Franconia) and Nieder-Bayern (flat lands of Bavaria). The weather forecast for the first two weeks of April was good and it proved true.

Our first stop from the Munich Airport was Landshut for two days. We caught the Bus 635 to the Freising train station and then a regional train to Landshut. Everything went smooth, though it took a bit of looking to find the bus stop at the airport.

Pictures:
http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Other-2...8726799_vsK4kd

We stayed in the annex of the Himmel Cafe right on the Isar River. Old building but nicely remodeled rooms. Good breakfast and an excellent lunch. During our stay, we had a decent supper at the Gasthof zur Insel and an even better one at the Hofbräu Haus.

Landshut has an attractive Altstadt with many Baroque building fronts. We enjoyed the walk up to the castle, Burg Trausnitz, and the views out over the city. Landshut proved to be about right for two days while we recovered from jet lag. There was plenty to see in a small enough package not to wear us out. Town is a bit of ways from the train station to lug heavy suitcases.

Our next stop was Nürnberg. Actually we stopped twice in Nürnberg, took almost no pictures. Lovely town. We lived there in the 1980's, moving there when our daughter was exactly 1 year old. We hardly feel like tourists. Our plans for our stops in Nürnberg were overcome by a change of plans for some folks that we were to meet and a blocked train line on the second visit. Still, we had a good time. The old town is always a charm to walk around.

We stayed both times at the Ibis Bahnhof. Small but nice rooms. Breakfast was good.

We had two good supper meals at the Röslein and the Goldenes Posthorn. We had a Bratwurst from my wife's favorite stand for lunch one day and a salad at the Kaufhaus Galeria cafeteria the second. We often had a lunch salad at various department store cafeterias.

We went on to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Some folks find it too touristy. I love its location perched above the Tauber Valley.

Once again, I think I will let my pictures do the talking for me:

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Other-2...8728926_cxtQqD

We stayed at the Hotel Raidel. Lots of atmosphere, owner run. For anyone who would take atmosphere and friendliness over luxury facilities, I would recommend it. He takes only cash. but offers good value.

Best find of this trip for me was supper at the Gasthaus Butz. I had an excellent crispy-fried plaice.

From Rothenburg we went to Bad Windsheim. It is often mentioned as a possible base for the area. It is a very attractive small town.

Pictures:

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Other-2...8757856_wKJHHg

Our biggest effort in this town was to accomplish two cafe visits in the same day. Cake was the goal for the first and a spaghetti eis sundae for my wife later. Mission accomplished. We even slipped in a "Doner" for lunch and Cafe Pizzaria Playa for supper. It was all hard work but worth it. We are back to our diet at home.

We had a nice stay with a good breakfast at the Goldener Schwann. Large, remodeled rooms.

Great pics! Makes me want to go back sooner...have never visited in April, but looks like weather was fine--maybe next year?!

Thanks Mokka4. We have visited Germany 3 different years in April; two were very nice weather wise and the third was rainy and cool.

From Bad Windsheim we traveled to Bamberg. Wonderful old city to visit and see.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Other-2...8749938_bTSHpS

We stayed at the Am Dom Hotel just below the cathedral square. Nice hotel but a hefty climb to our rooms. Good breakfast at the Scheiners Restaurant right across the street. Scheiners also is a decent restaurant.

The hotel is quite a trek from the train station. So, we caught a taxi. My brother's turn to pay. When we entered the hotel to check-in, my brother could not find his wallet. He dashed out to stop the taxi and looked for his wallet. Not there. Later he found that he had stuck it in an unusual pocket in his jacket. Some hours later the taxi driver returned to our hotel. He was still concerned that my brother had lost his wallet. We explained. It is sometimes impressive what a decent species man can be.

Following my habit in Rothenburg, I went to find an early coffee & roll while the rest of our party slept in for the 8AM breakfast. I seem to remember that hotel breakfasts used to be earlier.

From Bamberg we were to catch an Sbahn to Nürnberg. The night before a silo had caught fire and fallen on the regional train line. The Die Bahn back up plan was for us to catch a train to Hirschaid, bus to Erlangen and then a train onto Nürnberg. The train was filled with soccer fans and they did not have enough buses. We got stranded for a hour so in Hirschaid. When the second of buses arrive, there was a rush to get on board. We all did. I got separated from my wife by a couple people. I noticed that an older woman (I'm 68) got stranded in the aisle. I gave her my seat. I could not help but notice that several young men sitting all around did not offer her their seat. I wonder if that is a difference of national custom, or a generational change?

By time we got to Nürnberg, we decided skip our planned day trip to Roßtal, where we formerly lived. We enjoyed walking about Nürnberg.

The next stop was Regensburg. It is one of my favorite cities in Germany. I last visited in in April, 2012 and I am posting a link to those pictures here:

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Germany...2324724_Jmq3LT

This time I pretty much put away my camera and just enjoyed the spring weather. We made multiple walks through the green belt park that surrounded the Altstadt.

We stayed at the Weidenhof Hotel, friendly and efficient. Good breakfast and small rooms.

I love German food but begin to crave a change after a week or so. We ate at two pizzerias. One was "Pam Pam" and the other nearby on Haidplatz. Both the pizza (Pam Pam) and the cannelloni at the 2nd went a wonderful change.

The final stop was at Freising before flying out of Munich Airport. We have stopped there 4 times before. For a one night stop, I prefer it to Munich. It is a small town laced with waterways. Walks up to the Domberg (cathedral where the prior Pope was ordained) and the Weihenstephan brewery are both nice passes of time.

We stayed at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof which is just wrapping up a remodeling. Great, early breakfast that permits us to eat and still catch a morning flight.

We really enjoy our last supper in Germany to be at the Gasthof Huber

http://www.huberweisse.de

Some pictures from April 2006

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Travel/...1402301_pTGGtq

Our flight home was fairly uneventful. I was glad that I checked my 18in roller. The carry-on situation was a debacle on our second leg from our flight home - from Atlanta to Salt Lake City. The first class, priority and zone 1 passengers were allowed to carry-on rollers. Zone 2 and 3 passengers were not. Some pretty angry folks. Airlines keep making the overheads smaller while folks carry-on more. Puts airplane crews in a tough spot. Airlines need to make firm rules, post them up front and then enforce them.

Glad that I went. Glad that I am home.

Sounds like a great trip -- many of my favorite places!

Now that United Airlines is flying nonstop from IAH to MUC, we may try that instead of our usual IAH - DFW - FRA on American. Don't know when we will make it back to Germany though as next year we are planning a long overdue trip back to the UK.

Thanks Betty. We prefer flying in/out of Munich when it meets our needs. Frankfurt seems to change every time we use it. I flew United out of Munich in 2012 and thought that it went well.

I have only visited London in the the UK from Germany. I can not figure out the public transportation system. Riding trains is a big part of the vacation for me. The German train system has spoiled me.

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the report. Weather looked great! Pictures were terrific also!

Paul

Thanks for your comments Paul. The weather was great for so early in the spring. My brother and his wife came from Michigan where they had a fearsome winter. They really appreciated the early spring in Germany. Gary