We are doing the RS Berlin, Prague and Austria tour starting September 27. We are arriving in London on September 20 and will spend 2 nights there (recovery). Then we have 4 nights before we need to Berlin and I'm trying to figure out where to go--we just want to stay in one place for those 4 nights. First, it has to be relatively logistically simple to get there from London and then to get to Berlin- plane and/or train. I'm thinking of something relatively small so that it feels relaxing- but large enough to have a variety of things to do e.g. not a tiny town. Since it's late September, maybe something that's nice that time of year and perhaps has access to day trips on one of the rivers with wineries. Something of a similar caliber to Bruge or Lucerne (but not those). AI (I know I shouldn't rely on it, that's why I"m posting here) suggested Wurzburg and Cologne. Any thoughts? Does not have to be in Germany.
Thanks!
Diana
Posted by
Paradise
8209 posts
Those AI choices aren't bad ones, but the better choice would be NUREMBERG, which has its own airport and is less than 3 hours from Berlin by DIRECT train. Cologne has an airport too but the train trip is longer. Wuerzburg is more complicated than that. And Nuremberg is a more interesting place, all things considered, than the other cities, IMHO.
The good thing is that with your Nuremberg base, you can visit Wuerzburg if you wish. It's an easy day trip by direct train on one of those 4 days. Or you could visit one of the other wine towns by day trip. Iphofen is one of those, an adorable little old walled village that is closer to Nuremberg than Wuerzburg is:
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/f5bad7da0a.html
Nuremberg has several wine options as well:
https://tourismus.nuernberg.de/en/food-drink/nurembergs-specialties/franconian-specialties/franconian-wine/
Nuremberg:
https://tourismus.nuernberg.de/en/discover/
Nuremberg has a large population, but the old-town zone feels more like a small town than any other city of its size. Many of the streets have been closed to automobiles, making it a nice place to wander on foot. The Pegnitz River, which runs through the center of town, adds to the atmosphere.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2685 posts
Russ has a very good recommendation. I love Nuremberg; I've spent many, many, days there. And it's an easy, cheap, hop via Ryanair from London.
For me the other place to consider would be Hamburg, another place somewhat off the tourist route with easy connection to both London and Berlin. Bigger than Bruges, but with both coffee and chocolate museums, seafood, scenic parks and bridges, and a very different culture than either Berlin or London. Plus it's one of the three cities that has a WWII flak tower (Berlin and Vienna being the other two). Converted into a shopping center/urban garden it's worth the trip to visit.
Late September may be too late, but I highly recommend the underground tour of the Berlin flak tower. It's impressive.
Do plan on rain during your visit. The first couple weeks into October can be beautiful, but they can also get wet.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9818 posts
I was going to suggest flying into Hamburg but with stays in Quedlinburg perhaps or Lubeck. Someplace up north. Hamburg itself has plenty of things to do and has a completely different vibe to it than other parts of Germany. Staying there for 4 days would be great and it is an easy train ride to Berlin.
Another possibility would be Dresden. Certainly enough there to keep you busy for several days.
If you want to see the Rhein, then fly into Frankfurt. Hubbing here gives you the chance to visit the Rhein, as well as many great, medieval towns like Büdingen, Limburg, Marburg, Idstein or Seligenstadt, or a Roman fort near Bad Homburg. All within an hour by train from Frankfurt. The city has some lovely, 1900s built, residential neighborhoods with easy train access.
Posted by
236 posts
logistically simple and doesn't have to be in Germany? Amsterdam !!
Direct trains, centre to centre,
London-Amsterdam departures at 08:16 and 11:04, journey just over 4 hours
Amsterdam-Berlin departures at 08:00 and 10:00, journey 5 hours 45, arrive in time for group meeting.
Posted by
Northwest Arkansas
1114 posts
Great recommendations and thoughts so far. Part of the decision process may be train rides vs flights.
So for something less relaxing, yet uniquely German, have you though about Munich or Stuttgart for the giant beer festivals happening while you are travelling? Stuttgart itself fits into the smaller city category (akin to Nuremberg or Cologne) and it's Volksfest is smaller and much less hectic than Munich's Oktoberfest.
Additionally, take the time to watch the Third Man movie before heading to Vienna.
Posted by
Stuttgart
32 posts
Dresden. It's only one (?) hour by train from Berlin, even the downtown has a small-town feel, and it is architecturally the most beautiful of any German city I've ever seen (and, I live here, so, that's a lot.) There are a gazillion brilliant museums for its Baroque history, but even if you do nothing other than stroll around the old town, you will feel like your spirit has been forever lifted up by the experience.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thanks everyone for your destination (and movie) suggestions. This gives me plenty to think about. I am now leaning towards a place I can fly to from London and then fly to Berlin, rather than spend a lot of times on planes--Amsterdam, Stockholm, Zurich, etc. I think there's too much travel time- with train changes- to get to a small storybook type place.
Posted by
Paradise
8209 posts
I honestly do not understand your most recent comments at 5:10 pm, but best wishes for a nice time, whatever you choose.
Posted by
11 posts
I'm also on that tour, same date and that tour goes through Dresden and spends one night there.