I'm planning to take a four-week course in September to jump-start my German. This isn't for work; just something I've wanted to do because I find the language interesting, and am now able to do because I'm partially retired. The courses I'm looking at involve morning classes and free afternoons to soak up the culture.
I've previously spent quite a bit of time in Europe, especially France, but almost none in Germany. Consequently I'm having trouble figuring out which location to pick. I like pretty, walkable cities. I love Paris and Vienna. I'd probably love Berlin, but I've been told that it's a hard place to learn German because everyone will speak to you in English. But Berlin would be great for weekend day trips, I think.
There's also the matter of the accent. I've been told to avoid Munich so as not to pick up the accent there (Bavarian, I think?).
Other things being equal, I'd go for better-preserved cities. I've read that Luneberg (sorry I know I'm not putting in the accent correctly), Bamberg, Dresden (reconstructed) and Regensburg fit this category. Also Heidelburg and Tubingen -- but maybe as a person in my late fifties I'd feel out of place amongst all the students there?
I've been to Frankfurt but it doesn't appeal to me. Hamburg is supposed to be nice but it seems less German and more Scandinavian in personality. (True?)
There are so many other towns/cities that sound appealing. Gottingen, Lubeck...
If you had the chance to do this, in which city would you locate yourself?
Thanks for your thoughts.