Hello,
I am going to be in Bad Lauterberg for four days in March (business) and then will have a full day and night until my morning (8-10 am)flight home. I can't decide where to fly home from. Choices are Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. Which would you recommend? What is the most picturesque way by train? What to see if I have so little time? Thank you, Marina

To save time, re-post your message with a more specific title. "Trip advice needed" is pretty vague.

Lucky you! The Harz is a special favourite of mine. I hope you get a chance to explore the general area a little while you are there: Goslar, Wernigerode and Quedlinburg are must-see towns.

I'm inclined to suggest you fly out of Berlin which will give you are limited chance to explore this great city. It is only a couple of hours by bus or rail from the Harz.

Harzer

The south is generally more picturesque, and if you have a chance to stay over I would definitely recommend Munich! Very beautiful, friendly people, and lots to see! I enjoyed wandering around the Englischer Garten, and the Alte Pinakothek is a great art gallery.

Another vote for Munich. Wonderful place.

Munich is a great choice if you want to go the classic tourist vote. I like Munich, but think that there is a WHOLE lot more to see if you spend your time in Berlin. The city has undergone a complete transformation and is simply one of the major metropols of Europe now. It is full of buzz, activity, culture, music, history and has a definite East meets West feel. Don't be expecting Weisswurst and Lederhosen, but expect instead to see Germany at its most honest and cutting edge. Hands down, Belin would be my choice. (I lived in Germany for a long time. If I were to live there again, it would be in Berlin.)

As explained, you have about 24 hours after your 4-day stay. Not enough time to do much of anything in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt or Munich.

I'd suggest an early departure on your final day and heading either for Hamburg or Frankfurt.

To Hamburg: Stop in the towns of Goslar, Hameln, Celle, or some combination thereof, and arrive late at an airport hotel.

To Frankfurt:

a.)Stop in the towns of Goettingen, Hannoversch Münden, Rotenburg an der Fulda, or some combination thereof, and arrive late at an airport hotel.

b.) For a final day of shopping and strolling in a more manageable mid-sized city, take a fast train to Mainz, where there are lots of good eateries, pedestrian zones, and a small old town area, then overnight in town and catch a train into the aiport the next morning (about 20-25 minutes.)