We will have a couple of days in late December to spend somewhere between Nuremberg and Berlin. We have already been to Dresden and would like to visit elsewhere.

I see on the map the Harz Mountains and we enjoy Alpine scenery. Any suggestions?

We would like to keep train rides at about 3 hours and prefer no changes if at all possible.

I know Leipzig is an option but was looking for alternates.

Thanks in advance.

Other than the alpine scenery are there any other major must-do/see activities?

Not really. We enjoy Berlin for its museums, history and eclectic vibe and will have visited Wurzburg prior to making our way to Berlin for New Years Eve. So something different from those cities would be nice.

A spa/wellness resort would be a nice idea though. We love walking, exploring without too much advance planning and good food and wine along with scenery.

I honestly wish I could help further but now that you have elaborated I am certain someone with great recommendations will respond.

What is "late" December? No alpine scenery between Nürnberg and Berlin, sorry.

Erzgebirge mountains or Vogtland maybe? They have spa towns - Bad Elster (but the hotels are not really too good) or Bad Brambach (excellent hotel: Ramada Bad Brambach, direct access to the huge spa).

I know two excellent spa hotels in vicinity of Dresden (but in the countryside): Schumann's in Kirschau and Elbresidenz in Bad Schandau. Both very good for exploring the rural areas.

<What is "late" December? >

We are in Germany from 22Dec through 1Jan.

I will check out those two spa hotels and see if they are convenient to access via public transport.

Thanks.

It seems all of those are 6.5 to 8.5 hours by public transport from Nuremberg, too far out of our way.

Bamberg.
Several direct ICE or IC trains per day from Berlin. And to Munich.

Oops. Sorry, thought you planned to go Berlin-Munich.
Bamberg may be a bit too close to Nuremberg, but the town is quite nice and IME got a lot of positive reviews here.

We really enjoyed Bamberg.

How about Quedlinburg? It's a World Heritage city and is filled with wonderful buildings, winding lanes, the whole works. I loved it. It's not far from Erfurt and Weimar.

We have been to Bamberg twice and enjoyed it but looking for something new this trip.

Quedlinburg looks lovely but also 6 hours by train, more than we want to travel for a such a brief stay.

Thanks for the suggestions. It appears Leipzig may be our best bet or a return to Dresden.

Well, If you are already In Dresden or going to be, what about Prague????

Have you thought about Erfurt? Very beautiful old town.

If you would like a spa experience, then perhaps Bad Nauheim, Bad Homburg or Wiesbaden.

Thanks for the additional suggestions.

We have been to Prague and loved it.

Weisbaden to Berlin is over 8 hours by train. Erfurt 6 hours if we make 4 connections, and longer with 3. Bad Nauheim, Bad Homburg are worse.

We really are looking for something convenient and on the way from Nuremberg to Berlin, but perhaps we will just add time to Berlin and make a day trip or two from there.

Must have looked at incorrect timetable for Erfurt - that may work. Weimar looks interesting as well.

Thanks.

If "no changes" is of prime importance you could also check the many long distance bus lines from Berlin
berlinlinienbus.de

Otherwise I think you do not always quote the fastest train connection. For example, Quedlinburg is 3.5 hrs, not 6. But getting from there to Nuremberg is not too convenient.
You may also want to check the box for "no changes". By default, bahn.de uses the fastest connections. And makes you change trains to save 10 minutes even if you are on a direct train to your final destination.

By geography, places in Thuringia or Saxonia should work best.

Nürnberg to Bad Brambach is 2:47 h

Nürnberg to Dresden is 4:30 h, from there commuter trains to Bad Schandau every 30 minutes, travel time an additional 40 minutes.

All on regional trains, so you can travel on the cheap tickets like "Quer durchs Land" or "Schönes Wochenende".

Both Weimar and Erfurt are cities again, though the latter has a beautiful old town. I didn't like Weimar much, but it might be because it was too much about Goethe and Schiller at every corner. And my hotel was a disappointment (Russischer Hof).