5-Nights Best of Bavaria

Nuremberg

The second largest city in Bavaria, Nuremberg is a glowing testament to medieval culture as evidenced in its historic monuments, Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Take a walk around the 13th-century city walls, complete with moats, watchtowers and gateways. Then experience "shopping" as it was in the Middle Ages at the Handwerker Hof, a charming "mediaeval mall". Don't forget to sample the city's famous Bratwürste annd Lebkuchen.

Wurzburg

The historic bishopric of Würzburg on the river Main is now the capital of Lower Franconia. Surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards, Würzburg is a centre of the wine trade. Visit the cathedral, the Neumünster church, the Marienkapelle and the old town hall. The true highlight is the former episcopal residence built from 1719 to 1744. This splendid example of German Baroque architecture is the most important secular building of the period. It features a grand staircase with a magnificent fresco by Giovanni Tiepolo.

Rothenburg

Of the many towns along the Romantic Road, Rothenburg is the most lovable. Today it’s Germany's best-preserved medieval walled town, enjoying tremendous popularity. Those spending a night in Europe’s most exciting medieval town risk actually hearing sounds of the Thirty Years’ War still echoing through its turrets and clock towers. This is a great place to do German shopping. A thousand years of history are packed between the cobbles. The walk around Rothenburg’s medieval wall offers great views. For the best view of the town and surrounding countryside, make the rewarding climb to the top of Town Hall Tower. Rothenburg’s Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum is fascinating. St. Jacob’s Church contains the one must-see art treasure in Rothenburg, a glorious 500-year-old altarpiece by Riemenschneider, the Michelangelo of German woodcarvers. Take a walk through Tauber Valley's trail leading downhill from Rothenburg’s idyllic castle gardens to a 600-year-old castle, the summer home of Mayor Toppler.

Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden is a charming historic town in the German state of Bavaria, 30 km south of Salzburg. Located in a valley in the German Alps, picturesque views are abundant. Visitors enjoy Lake Königsee, the deepest lake in the Alps, and touring the nearby salt mines, as well as the world class sport facilities of Berchtesgaden. The bobsleigh run, ice arena and skiing are popular in the winter months.

Munich

Home of tworld-famous Oktoberfest, the Hofbrauhaus and beergarden-experience, Munich has become one of the most modern and prosperous cities in post-war Germany. Munich offers museums, art galleries, concert halls and historical buildings, beergarden athmosphere on a warm summer night and the hottest dance hall scene in Germany. The area around Munich has mountains, lakes, fairy-tale-castles, wintersport centers and treasures like the monastery-and-brewery of Andechs. Among "must-sees" in Munich, are a walk on the high-level-shopping mile of Maximilianstrasse, a visit of Monopterus building and the "Chinesischer Turm" beergarden on a warm summer day, a match of two main local soccer clubs in Olympic stadium, a visit to "Deutsche Museum", a beer in the students' pubs, and an afternight breakfast in the cafe "Schmalznudel" at Viktualienmarkt. For history, go to a museum, visit the castle of Nymphenburg or get confronted with the dark side of German history in Dachau concentration camp memorial site.