Why you should visit: Nuremberg is the town of toys, host of the largest international trade fair for toys and games held annually since 1949, but it also has a dark past. Listed as the “City of History,” the town’s origins can be traced back to the 11th century. Apart from its famous Imperial Castle, the old town is filled with beautiful gothic churches and houses in the old town. Come festive season, Nuremberg is home to a Christmas market. Can’t make it during winter? The Toy Museum is open year-round. 

 

Recommended route: The old town is a must-visit. Start your journey at the Craftsmen’s Courtyard, where you can enjoy lovely traditional handicrafts ranging from candles to dolls, before heading to Konig Street, which leads to the heart of the old quarter. Here, you can explore the castles, city walls and lots of beautiful gothic churches, the most notable being the Frauenkirche at the Hauptmarkt, also where the Christmas market takes place annually. Nearby are also newer churches such as The Church of Our Lady, St. Elizabeth’s Church and, a place of worship of a much different kind, the Toy Museum. On the way back, you can visit the German National Museum, the country’s biggest cultural museum. For a glimpse into the Germany’s dark past, take the S Bahn to Dutzendteich station which was the site of the notorious Nazi Party Rallies.

 

More info: http://bit.ly/cQfuNS

 

Why you should visit: The birthplace of Eau de Cologne, iit is also home to the most visited attraction in Germany—Cologne Cathedral or Kolner Dom—and is the oldest town in the country, founded by the Romans some 2,000 years ago. Today, the Germany National Tourist Board dubs it the “City of Exuberance.” True to type, Cologne is wonderfully vibrant with beautiful modern architecture blending seamlessly with the historic places and cathedrals dotted along the scenic Rhine River. It’s also famous for its art scene and museums, including the Museum Ludwig, home to one of the most important collections of modern art (including one of the largest Picasso collections in Europe). The sweet toothed can pay a visit to the Museum of Chocolate. As for shopaholics, you’ll find endless brand name stores, including one selling the oldest fragrance on the planet, 4711, and chic European fashion on Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse streets—ensuring you won’t want to take that train back to Frankfurt.

 

Recommended route: Arriving at Cologne railway station (Hauptbahnhof), you’ll be welcomed by a grand view of Cologne Cathedral, which sits rights by its entrance. For a more elevated view of the old city you can climb 533 steps to the top of the cathedral’s South Tower. Then pay a visit to Museum Ludwig or stroll a little further to Hohenzollern Bridge, to which thousands upon thousands of locked padlocks are attached as symbols of couples’ love. Walk down to the Old Town (Altstadt) to view the colorful centuries-old buildings and narrow alleys packed with bars and cafes by the river. Continue walking along the river Rhine to the Chocolate Museum or head to Hohe Strasse and Schidergasse shopping streets before heading back to Frankfurt.

 

Why you should visit: Considered one of the most romantic places in Germany, Heidelberg is a small but famous gem in the country’s south-west. It’s home to Germany’s best known ancient ruins, Heidelberg Castle, whose history can be traced back to 1214 AD, and Universitatsplatz (Heidelberg University), the first university in the country. As it was relatively untouched during WWII, the town is filled with picturesque Baroque architecture. Take it easy with a stroll or boat trip along the idyllic Neckar River or head straight to the Hauptstrasse (High Street), known as the longest pedestrian shopping street in Germany, which isn’t just packed with clothing shops but also home to chocolate boutiques, great cafes and bakeries, as well as cute souvenir stores. 

 

Recommended route: There’s nothing better than walking along the old streets culminating with a visit to Heidelberg Castle. Start at Bismarckplastz, where Hauptstrasse begins, and walk the one mile to the bottom of the old town. Make sure to walk past Universitatsplatz, before you come to Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Ghost Church) on the corner of Marktplatz, a lovely place to sip coffee in the summer. Make a left turn on to Alte Brucke, the old bridge crossing the Neckar River, for a great view of the old town with the castle in the background. Don’t forget to look out for the Heidelberg Monkey, a bronze sculpture at the bridge’s tower. Walk past the Kornmarkt (Corn Market) for Bergbahn, the hill railway that takes you up the castle, so you can save your energy for walking around the old ruins. Make sure you go onto the Belvedere terrace for the stunning views of the old town down below. 

 

More info: www.tourism-heidelberg.com

 

Why you should visit: Car lovers simply can’t miss this city, home to two of the world’s greatest auto manufacturers: Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Not only are their headquarters located here, both have also opened museums. Unusual for German cities, Stuttgart is spread out over rolling hills and valleys interspersed with vineyards and parks. The city is also renowned for its beer and wine festivals, while its Christmas market is also praised as one of the most gorgeous in the country.

 

Recommended route: Upon reaching Stuttgart’s main railway station, don’t just wander off. First choose which museum you want to visit: Mercedes-Benz or Porsche. The former requires that you take the S-Bahn rapid transit system line S1 in the direction of Kirchheim to NeckarPark (Mercedes-Benz) station. Follow the signs to the museum which is just five minutes’ walk away. The beautiful building displays more than 160 vehicles and more than 1,500 exhibits over 16,500 square meters. For the Porsche Museum, take the S6 line to Neuwirthaus-Porscheplatz station where you’ll be met by the museum’s futuristic façade. Here, you’ll encounter more than 80 top cars from Porsche, including the popular 911 and the legendary Lohner-Porsche, the world’s first hybrid car built way back in 1900. If you still have time, take a break from all the automobiles with a visit to Rosenstein Park near Stuttgart railway station. It’s the site of the largest English garden in the southwest of Germany and the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart.

 

More info: www.stuttgart-tourist.de/en

 

Lufthansa and Thai Airways offer direct flights from Bangkok to Frankfurt. Lufthansa’s rates start at B41,825 and Thai Airways at B43,040.

 

If you have a few days to spend on the rails, opt for the DB Bahn (www.bahn.com) day pass tickets. Three-day tickets start at B10,374 for a first class seat and B7,896 for second class and are valid one month after purchase.