Bamberg or Nuremberg?
Apr 12th, 2006, 04:42 PM
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Bamberg or Nuremberg?
My husband and I are planning a trip to Germany (and Salzburg) that begins and ends in Frankfurt. We have one extra day (afternoon, evening, plus the next morning) and we'd like to stop somewhere between Munich and Frankfurt. We're considering Bamberg or Nuremberg. I'd appreciate any feedback (as well as hotel suggestions) or opinions that people have about the two cities... Or another city in the area.
Apr 12th, 2006, 05:51 PM
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If you draw a line between Frankfurt and Munich, you would find both Bamberg and Nuremberg are to the east of your line. Have considered visiting Wurzburg, the capital of Franconia? Lovely city, marvelous Renaissance palace of the Prince Bishops, impressive fortress or Festung. Wurzburg is at the northern end of The Romantic Road, and the drive from Munich is beautiful, especially if you get off the high speed autobahnen.
Apr 12th, 2006, 05:56 PM
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Based solely on your time constraints, I’d suggest Bamberg since it is smaller… you’d probably need a bit more time in Nuernberg to do it justice. They both are lovely. In Bamberg, we enjoyed staying at the Messerschmitt, historically significant because it was the house of the man who designed WWII airplanes. (DH loves that kind of thing.) The food was excellent!
Apr 12th, 2006, 06:14 PM
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I'd also recommend Bamberg. Interesting, with a lot to see in a relatively small area.
We stayed in the middle of the Altstadt at the Hotel Brudermuhle--right on the banks of the Regnitz River. We had a great view of the old Rathaus from our corner room. The restaurant is very good as well.
We met some folks who stayed a bit up the river in the Hotel St. Nepomuk--they said it was also very nice.
We stayed in the middle of the Altstadt at the Hotel Brudermuhle--right on the banks of the Regnitz River. We had a great view of the old Rathaus from our corner room. The restaurant is very good as well.
We met some folks who stayed a bit up the river in the Hotel St. Nepomuk--they said it was also very nice.
Apr 12th, 2006, 06:23 PM
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I don't know the other cities/towns that have been mentioned here but you could easisly make it to Rothenburg, one of the jewels of European tourism. An afternoon, evening and next morning would be just right for a visit to Rothenburg. Then you can either take the romantic road or the Autobahn to Munich.
Apr 12th, 2006, 07:02 PM
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Opinion:
We've been to Bamberg, Wurzburg, and Rothenburg--and Bamberg and Wurzburg, are not nearly as "touristy" as Rothenburg. Rothenburg is very pretty, well-maintained for the tourist trade, and photo-worthy, and overrun by tour groups during the day.
Places like Bamberg and Wurzburg get their share of tourists, and actually have much more historically significant sights than does Rothenburg, but they are not swarmed over on a daily basis.
Unlike Rothenburg, the Altstadts in Bamberg and Wurzburg are actually working parts of the cities today, not a tourist enclave where just about every business within the walls of the old city is aimed at tourists--souvenir shops, Christmas boutiques, hotels, restaurants with menus in 12 languages, etc.
That said, Rothenburg is visited by millions each year, so a LOT of people like the sort of experience that Rothenburg presents. But those much touted Rothenburg Schneeballs are terrible.
Anyway, our trip a few years ago also started and ended in Frankfurt. We took the train from Frankfurt to Bamberg (no need for a car in Bamberg). We had 3 wonderful days there. Then took the train to Munich (no need for a car in Munich). Spent 3 nice days in Munich.
From Munich we rented a car and drove to Hohenschwangau (making several stops along the way as it's an easy and short drive). Spent 2 days there.
Drove up the Romantic Road stopping at the Wieskirche, Dinkelsbuhl, and a couple of other places--saw Rothenburg and took photos (several nice ones), stayed in a castle hotel, Burg Colmberg, just east of Rothenburg a few kms. for a couple of nights. Made a spur of the moment road trip up to Coberg on one of our days in the area--Totally unplanned, so we didn't end up seeing much, but had a couple of nice meals and enjoyed the countryside.
Then drove to the Mosel River for the last 3 days of the trip, staying in Beilstein at Hotel Haus Lipmann. The last night we stayed in the town of Walldorf next to FRA.
We had intended to make several stops on the way from Colmberg to Beilstein, but temps hit 100 F. that day, so we decided to stay in our AC car and go straight to the Mosel.
We've been to Bamberg, Wurzburg, and Rothenburg--and Bamberg and Wurzburg, are not nearly as "touristy" as Rothenburg. Rothenburg is very pretty, well-maintained for the tourist trade, and photo-worthy, and overrun by tour groups during the day.
Places like Bamberg and Wurzburg get their share of tourists, and actually have much more historically significant sights than does Rothenburg, but they are not swarmed over on a daily basis.
Unlike Rothenburg, the Altstadts in Bamberg and Wurzburg are actually working parts of the cities today, not a tourist enclave where just about every business within the walls of the old city is aimed at tourists--souvenir shops, Christmas boutiques, hotels, restaurants with menus in 12 languages, etc.
That said, Rothenburg is visited by millions each year, so a LOT of people like the sort of experience that Rothenburg presents. But those much touted Rothenburg Schneeballs are terrible.
Anyway, our trip a few years ago also started and ended in Frankfurt. We took the train from Frankfurt to Bamberg (no need for a car in Bamberg). We had 3 wonderful days there. Then took the train to Munich (no need for a car in Munich). Spent 3 nice days in Munich.
From Munich we rented a car and drove to Hohenschwangau (making several stops along the way as it's an easy and short drive). Spent 2 days there.
Drove up the Romantic Road stopping at the Wieskirche, Dinkelsbuhl, and a couple of other places--saw Rothenburg and took photos (several nice ones), stayed in a castle hotel, Burg Colmberg, just east of Rothenburg a few kms. for a couple of nights. Made a spur of the moment road trip up to Coberg on one of our days in the area--Totally unplanned, so we didn't end up seeing much, but had a couple of nice meals and enjoyed the countryside.
Then drove to the Mosel River for the last 3 days of the trip, staying in Beilstein at Hotel Haus Lipmann. The last night we stayed in the town of Walldorf next to FRA.
We had intended to make several stops on the way from Colmberg to Beilstein, but temps hit 100 F. that day, so we decided to stay in our AC car and go straight to the Mosel.
Apr 13th, 2006, 03:20 AM
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Rothenburg is the single most-visited spot in Germany and by German tourists. Why? The moat, the walls, the fairy-tale look...but if you want a more "ordinary life but still fabulous looking" city then I would recommend Wurzburg or Bamberg.
Apr 13th, 2006, 03:34 AM
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Will you have a car or are you depending on the train? If you have a car, then I would vote for Bamberg. If you are traveling by train, then Nuremberg--it offers faster and more frequent train service to Frankfurt.
Both destinations have much to recommend them--would you prefer a city or town for that last night?
Bamberg is the "prettier" of the two, but Nuremberg has a handsome old town (rebuilt, of course, after WW II), a terrific restaurant full of atmosphere (Heilig Geist).
Both destinations have much to recommend them--would you prefer a city or town for that last night?
Bamberg is the "prettier" of the two, but Nuremberg has a handsome old town (rebuilt, of course, after WW II), a terrific restaurant full of atmosphere (Heilig Geist).
Apr 13th, 2006, 06:42 AM
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I was only in Bamberg briefly but we spent a night in Nuremburg to catch a flight the next morning and DH and I were both pleasantly surprised. The historic center is very pleasant and interesting to walk around in, and there are some great cafes and restaurants to eat in. We would love to go back and spend more time in both, but I thought I would put a plug in for Nuremburg.
Tracy
Tracy
Apr 16th, 2006, 01:54 AM
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Sorry I didn't post sooner. As someone else posted Nuremberg really requires 2+ days to do it justice but I would still recommend it. I lived there in the mid-60s and visited there late-May 2004. Whilw living there we visited Bamberg several times but still found Nuremberg much more fascinating.
If travelling by train it is ever so easy to navigate in the Altstadt whether walking or taking the subway.
Avoid Rothenburg like the plague, but the evenings there are a bit more enticing when the tourist busses pull away.
Just my $0.02 worth.
Mark
If travelling by train it is ever so easy to navigate in the Altstadt whether walking or taking the subway.
Avoid Rothenburg like the plague, but the evenings there are a bit more enticing when the tourist busses pull away.
Just my $0.02 worth.
Mark
