Because of limited vacation time, my husband and I will only be able to sneak off to Germany for 5 days over Thanksgiving vacation. The main purpose is to visit my brother and his family stationed at a US military base about 45 minutes from Nuremburg. We need some help with scheduling, as we are a bit overwhelmed. I am obsessed with eating well, shopping, and experiencing as much (and as many different) local culture as possible, although not too interested in museums. My new husband has not had great travel experiences in foreign countries, so I want to make the experience as smooth as possible so he will learn to love travelling. The last time I visited my brother with my mom, we spent most of our time in Italy, but also saw Rothenberg and Prague while staying with my brother. This time, I definitely want to see Nuremburg (and the xmas markets!) and Munich, but beyond that I am at a loss. Outside of Nuremberg is essentially our base, since we will be staying with my brother, so other day trips need to be within a couple hours drive of this area. We would like to do one overnight, is it worthwhile to head to Salzburg? Is Vienna too far? Is Heidelberg a better option? I am looking at the map, and there are so many options!!

You might want to include the country in your subject line.

Bamberg is a gem of a small city just north of Nuernberg within a 40 minute drive or train ride. Very well preserved and scenic old town with the Regnitz River running right through the middle. Bamberg also has the burial sites of both a Pope and an Emporer.

They have a traditional (not as touristized as many) Christmas market November 28-December 23 this year. Here's a Christmas market web site:
http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/index1.htm

Bambergers are well known as beer drinkers even among other Germans--their Rauchbier (smoke beer) is unique.

Can I strongly suggest you don't put an exclamation mark after hte phrase "military brother" in the title line.
Read the summary quickly and you get a VERY different first impression of your intended holiday.
Or do you normally have a "5 day itinerary visiting military brothel"?

Flanneruk,

I thought we got rid of people like you.

If you do not any positive to write, then don't write anything.

Kikihack, there is so much to do in Germany and alot can be accomplished using the high speed trains travelling 90 minutes to 120 minutes each way. My advice to you is to try to do as little as possible in the five days, but make these five days the most enjoyable possible for your husband. If you try to squeeze too much into the 5 days, it may get to hectic for him and you may end up turning him off. The last thing you need is for your husband to not want to go back to Europe.

I remember one trip in particular. My parents had little time one summer to get us out and travel through Germany. They simply got out a map of Germany. Put it on the kitchen table. Stuck a pin in the city we were staying in and using a piece of string and pencil, drew a circle 3 inches out from where we were staying. Seems pretty silly, but they knew exactly what was available and we ended up keeping our travel to those 3 inches in diameter from whatever town we were visitng. It worked!

I'd find a nice hotel in a city in or near Nuremburg, check in for 3 days. Get very acquainted with that city and do some reasonably short train trips from Nuremberg to towns such as the one RufusTFirefly recommends. There are plenty of other contributors to Fodor's out here that will give you their own thoughts for 90 minute, or less train trips from Nuremberg. I'd like to think that you should give you husband enough exposure to Germany that he'll want to go back again, and again.

Don't do too much. Find small towns, stay in these small towns and get exposure to local tradition and flavor. It'll be a can't miss for you.

kikihack - You received excellent advice from Rufus. Bamberg is very close to Nurnberg (just tasting the rauchbier is a delight) and the Christmas Market in Nurnberg is likely to be open during your visit and not to missed (sample the gluhwein)!! There I have really upset flannernuk!!! Actually there are several sites within 100 miles of Nurnberg worth visiting in addition to Bamberg:
1) Wurzburg with its magnificent Residence (also sample some Frankenwein).
2) Regensberg
3) Towns on the Romantic Road - Rothenburg, Dinkelsbuhl, Nordlingen.
Alittle farther afield ar Augsburg, Ulm, and Karlovy-Vary. There will definitely be enough to keep you busy and indeed thrilled.
If you are new to this site please disregard the comments of those who feel they have to "police" this site. Knowing that 80% of American military personell are serving in Germany it didn't take a rocket scientist to known which country you were talking about. Have a wonderful trip- I know you will enjoy the area.

Not much time for heading off to Vienna, and there's plenty to see/do right where you are.

I agree that Bamberg is great. Wurzburg's Residenz (Palace) is amazing. The "Castle Road" and the "Beer Road" (a number of local breweries just northwest of Nuremberg) both run through the region (I hope to check out a brewery or two there myself this summer.) Half way between Nuremberg and Munich, just south of Gunzenhausen, are the Altmuehl Valley towns of Weissenburg (old walled town ala Rothenburg but without the tourist hordes), Pappenheim, and Eichstaett - wonderful scenery, architecture, and history here. Also, in Bad Windsheim - west of Nuremberg and not far from Rothenburg - there's an open-air farm/museum that will be open then - the "Fraenkisches (Franconian, the region you're in) Freilandmuseum"; there are several such "museums" in Germany that give you a glimpse of traditional life there, the kinds of museums that even museum-haters might find interesting.

Quick message to Russ that is mentioning the beer street in his message.

There is a web page for the beer street

www.bierstrasse.de

Bravo to Russ for mentioning the Altmuhl valley towns. It is indeed an idyllic area and within easy striking distance from Munich. If and when I return for the Oktoberfest I will definitely consider the Altmuhl - a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of Munich.

kikihack...what did you do on this trip to visit your brother ? any info to share?

Rothenburg is a very easy drive from Nuremberg. You have been there but not your husband. It is great at Christmas and fun to visit.

Salzburg would be a better bet than Vienna as it is closer. I agree with the one poster. Pick a few key sites and go for them. Do not spend the 5 short days running around in the car. That gets to be a hassle.

We had to delay our Thanksgiving trip, but now are scheduled to go to Germany at the end of May for 8 days. Thanks to all for your great advice, but now that I have more time, I have more questions!! We fly into Munich, and from there my brother and his family have rented a flat for us in Garmisch for two nights. I figure having my brother as a tour guide for the first part of the trip will help my husband adjust to the culture shock. Anywhere near Garmisch not to miss? Then, we are going to Munich for a day trip, and back to his base (I am not sure if the little town, but it is 45 minutes from Nuremberg). We then need to decide whether to to Nuremberg, the romantic road, or some other towns in the area the next day. For the last part of the trip, we are thinking of Austria, as my husband really wants to go. We were thinking of hopping on the train and going to either Salzburg, Vienna, or both. Can anyone advise? I hear that Vienna is a big city (and a farther ride), and being New Yorkers, I would rather feel relaxed than overwhelmed. But reading these posts, everyone says that there is not much to do in Salzburg and to insted go to Vienna. Please advise!! Thanks to all.