Aachen

What about it? If you could ask some questions, it makes it easier for us to answer. Like what are your interests, where else are you going, etc. ?

If you are a Charlemagne fan, like me, you will enjoy it.

I loved Aachen. Its cathedral is quite beautiful (especially the interior, which is drop-dead gorgeous) and houses the remains of Charlemagne, leader of the Holy Roman Empire. The city is also very charming and has a lovely vibe to it. It's smaller than Cologne and you could easily spend some time just walking around and enjoying the sites.

Don't miss the Granus tower, which is next to the Rathaus (town hall) and is one of the few pieces remaining from Charlemagne’s palace. It dates back to the 8th century, making it over 1200 years old.

are you asking about the spa? Kind of hard to pin it down

Just looking for general impressions and advice for things to do. It sounds interesting and certainly am interested in history and architecture! Thanks for your replies!

I love Aachen. It's highly untouched from tourists and you'll definitely be living the German life. Have some printen, eat some cake, grab a coffee and walk the medieval city. The Dom is one of the greatest in Germany and as previously mentioned by someone else, houses the remains of Charlamagne. I think you can enjoy it's main sites in one or two days, but if you stay longer you'll really soak in the medieval-ness that's everywhere. Cars aren't allowed in most of the inner city areas, so you can almost feel like you time traveled as you walk (or stumble?) over all the cobblestone streets. Market day is my favorite day. Buy some flowers and eat some great cheese with the best Brötchen the country has to offer (I'm biased as I lived there for a while). Make sure to try a Streuselbrötchen which I've never found anywhere else but Aachen. The Christmas market is, in my opinion, the best. My German friends in Köln actually visit the Aachen Weinachtsmarkt and avoid the one in Köln. The town of Monschau is also nearby and also has an amazing underrated Weinachtsmarkt. If you go when it's snowing, you won't even be able to tell what century you're in. I think Aachen and this area in general is highly overlooked by Rick Steves, Inc and I'm kind of glad. Right now it's not overrun with Americans and if you'll go, you'll be entrenched in a real German medieval city.

Thanks, hurtmj. That is great information.