Traveling by car with 4 adults, like to go off the beaten path but so many little towns & byways to get to Duisburg looking for suggestions - some towns I've come across with some interest but asking for experienced input - any of the following outstanding or others you would recommend: Potsdam, more to see other than the Sanssouci? Small towns of Quedlinburg, Weimar, Leipzig, Naumburg, or better to go North to Hanover or any other great sights to see? Will have already gone North to Hamburg. Thank you!!
Posted by
San Francisco
14985 posts
Numerous places from Berlin to Duisburg are well worthy of your time, depending how far you want to deviate, ie "to go off the beaten path." in North Germany as well places in south of Berlin.
What you listed Weimar, Naumburg an der Saale, and Leipzig are all historical and singular cultural sites. Nearby is also Jena and Halle. I've been to Weimar a few times, situated there are the houses/museums of Wieland, Goethe, Herder, Schiller , etc if you're into German literature. The Soviet WW2 memorial is there and that of the German Communist party chief E. Thälmann who ran against Hitler for the office of president.
I've not visited Naumburg as yet, famous for its two church towers unlike anywhere else In Germany, was only at the train to change trains.
On Potsdam: much more than Sanssouci . I suggest Neues Palais, the Dutch Quarter , the Zentrum. Like Weimar the town of Potsdam is one of my favourites in Germany, just walking around there is relaxing and interesting, all the more so because of what it represented and was in Prussian-German history.
Posted by
San Francisco
14985 posts
In the Hannover area I would suggest Hildesheim, Minden an der Weser, was there a few times, another relaxing and tranquil town. In Hannover itself I would recommend the chateau (Schloss) and the Herrenhäuser Gardens and its cemetery.
Since you are motorised, if you're interested in seeing the huge historical monument nearby, Porta Westfalica, easy to do. A fantastic view from the top is one reward for going there. The German WW1 memorial is en route, which you can access on foot.
Duisburg itself is not worth going to other than as an ICE train connection or you're visiting folks, was there a couple of times in the late 1990s seeking out this singular museum on Prussian history, which no longer exists. The architecture in Duisburg is that of the 1960s Wiederaufbau (rebuilding) style, that ugly style I've seen in numerous cities, Hamm, Dortmund, Hannover, Hamburg, etc.