Help: Mid/small town in Germany?

I forgot to say: I'm using trains to get around.

If you were to draw a line directly from Berlin to Salzburg, it would go through some parts of the Czech Republic, but far west of Prague. Mostly it would go through Germany. If you wanted to take an eastern route, you could go through Prague, but the most direct routes go a little west, through Munich.

If you want to see a smaller town, I would suggest Bamberg. You would also be pretty close to Rothenburg. Or maybe Coburg. Regensburg is a little large, but maybe.

Most route go through Dresden, so you should consider it.

Heidelberg is way west of a direct route from Berlin to Salzburg.

Thanks Steve and Lee!

Steve:
I've been to Czech a few years ago so I'd like to concentrate on Germany this time, but I didn't know about Cesky Krumlov so I'll definitely look into it next time I go there. Thanks!

Lee:
Sorry I didn't mean the direct route; I wanted to visit somewhere between south of Berlin and north of Salzburg. Bamberg and Rothenburg look really nice, and I'll also look into Dresden. Thanks for your info!

I don’t what kind of mid/small town experience you are looking for, but for what it’s worth, I liked Eichstatt a lot and it might fit your requirements. It’s a small town on the Altmuehl, a tributary to the Danube, and it has a nice old town feel to it. Look it up on Google Earth and see if it attracts you. It can be reached by train, but it’s a distance from Heidelberg and not exactly on a direct line to Salzburg.

I liked the Altmuehl valley between Eichstatt and Kelheim even better, especially as you get closer to Kelheim – scenic small towns spaced out along the river (the old Roman boundary with Germany), lots of old castles on limestone hills, etc., but it requires travel either by bus or car, and in my opinion, a certain amount of flexibilty in your travel plans. Kelheim is also close to the world’s best dark beer, brewed at Weltenburg Monastery since 1050 or so.

It’s worth your consideration.

We really liked Passau.

Thanks Roland and Janet! I'll definitely look into those places.

I don't know about train availability but one small town that is hardly ever mentioned is Dinkelsbuhl. It is south of Rothenburg on the Romantic Road. It has the charm of Rothenburg minus so many tourists.