Bamberg, Regensburg, Augsburg

If you consider yourself a beer conosseur (I probably butchered that spelling), check out Bamberg's unique smoked beer, or "rauchbier".

Actually, Augsburg was largely destroyed by bombing in WWII, but it was rebuilt. Much like Munich, the results are somewhat uneven, but at least the old town square remains quite impressive.

We have visited Regensburg the last two years and enjoyed it very much. We are going back this Christmas season.

Regensburg has tourists but is not overwhelmed with them. Regensburg has a life of its own with good shopping. I most liked the river front and the Gothic cathedral. My wife most enjoyed a tour of the Thurn and Taxis Residence, still occupied by one of Germany's rich aristocratic families. The Altstadt is a series of plazas (most with a church) connected by alleyways. I like Wikipedia's description of Regensburg best.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regensburg

BTW, all of Germany's towns are touched by modernization; thanks be to modern plumbing. Many of those towns not bombed in WWII were bombed or burnt in former times. And, consider all the fine older buildings redone in Baroque and Rococo styles to adapt to the passing fancy of an age. I would not get too hung up on things being rebuilt. The Phoenix rising from the ashes...

Regards, Gary

My husband and I stayed for 3 days in Bamberg a year ago. We loved the city and all it had to offer. We stayed at the Brudermühle Hotel which located in the center of the city, right by the river. We especially liked trying the rauch beer and experienced great meals, many made with local mushrooms (it was mushroom season). The sights are great and all who we came in contact with were helpful and friendly. I would definitely consider it as a stop.

As an aside, we did stop in Regensburg. Honestly, the city didn't do anything for us and we left after one night.

Kate, we spend a month every summer in Germany, most of the time in a little village just outside Bamberg, but I go into the city several times a week. It is one of my favorite places in Europe, a well preserved medieval town, founded in 973 AD. It is very compact, has a large pedestrian zone in the center of the 'Altstadt'. Some must see sites are the Dom, a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles, the nearby bishops residence, the 'Rathaus'(town hall)built in the middle of the river in the 1400's, the Altenburg fortress on a hill with a great view, and the Michelsberg monastery. It's hard for me to name just a few, there are nearly 1400 beautifully restored buildings. What I love most about Bamberg is just walking through the streets, you can really immerse yourself in the past. It is not overrun with tourists, but where you will encounter them is in the Schlenkerla, a Gasthaus/brewery where the Rauchbier is made. If you would like more info you can pm me.

Hey Kate, I'm planning a trip to Germany for next Spring and Bamberg and Regensburg are on my list of places to visit. I've done some research on-line to familiarize myself with both cities. May I suggest you start by going to the Wikipedia website and doing a search on both cities. Wikipedia as a lot of basic information on the history, main sights and other interesting facts. Also, at the end of each article they provide a link to the each city's official webpage. Both cities have a English language version of their webpage that will prove most helpful. If you write their tourism offices an e-mail they will send you lots of wonderful brochures.

I've all ready made my reservation for a hotel in Regensburg. I'll be staying at Hotel Am Peterstor. It's located in the old city center. My rate for a double room is 53 euro per night including breakfast.

One last thing, if you're up for a cruise on the Danube River there are two places you can consider as possible day trips from Regensburg. The Befreiungshalle (Hall of Liberation) is located up the Danube from Regensburg in the nearby town of Kelheim. While 10km downstream is the Walhalla Temple (German Hall of Fame) in Donaustauf. Both can be reached via cruise boats which depart from the Old Stone Bridge in Regensburg.

I have been to all three and I like Bamberg the best but I also liked Augsburg. I did not see all of Regensburg about 5 hrs but really liked Bamberg. When are you going? We also toured river in a Gondola in Bamberg. Also toured residence for 4 euros in english.

While you're in Bamberg you might like to visit the nearby summer home of the former Prince-Bishops of Bamberg known as Schloss Seehof.

Thanks for all your help! I am planning on being on travelling from April 27-May 27 and starting off my travels by staying in Nuremberg. I was thinking about using this as a home base and have day trips to Wurzburg, Bamberg and Regensberg. Then I will travel to Prague/Krakow/Budapest/Transylvania area/Vienna and then Munich where I will have my last 5 days to do day trips around there (Augsburg) before heading home. I have been to Munich twice before so I would like to explore the surrounding areas this time around (plus get my fill at the beer gardens there!!!)

I am now thinking of flying in and out of Munich as Nuremberg is an easy train ride away.

Any more suggestions on my Germany itinerary would be appreciated!

Hey Kate! Since Nuernberg (Nuremberg) will be your home base for a few days the city of Bayreuth is nearby and may be worth a visit on a day trip. It has several attractions worth mentioning like the Margraves Opera House, one of the finest opera houses in Europe. The baroque interior is absolutely breathtaking. There is also the Eremtiage,the pleasure palace of the Margravine Wilhelmine. She was the sister of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. The Neues Schloss, the baroque & rococo palace of the Hohenzollern Margraves of Bayreuth, and the Festspielhaus, the hall where the Wagner festivals are held each Summer, and the Richard Wagner Museum are also worth seeing. Visit the website below for more information.

www.bayreuth.de/english/tourist_information_357.html