Spread over seven hills Bamberg is situated in the heart of Northern Bavaria. Bamberg's history begins in the year 1007, when Emperor Heinrich II raised Bamberg to the status of Bishopric and, for a short period, made it the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. It was then, that Bamberg became a city of splendor and magnificence.
A thousand years of history can be experienced in this romantic, delightful and lively city unto this very day. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993, historic Bamberg embraces its visitors with many things to see, but also culture galore with the world famous Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, street festivals and fairs, arts and antiques and a beer lover's paradise with nine privately owned breweries and their taverns in town.

The lively town of Coburg, situated on the German Castle Road, has a long and interesting history. It was the ducal residence of the Dukes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha for many years and a meeting ground of major European aristocracy. Home to world-class art, cultural treasures and the impressive Veste Coburg fortress, which overlooks the town.Today you can follow in the foot steps of famous visitors to Coburg such as Queen Victoria, Martin Luther or Johann Strauss, the "King of Waltz" and visit the "home" of the famous M.I. Hummel figurines, see the production of the Hermann teddy bears and visit the area's glass makers.

Many cultural events take place in Coburg, besides classical and modern concerts, operas, musicals and plays, the town hosts Europe's biggest Samba festival as well as the International Doll festival and a traditional folk festival in the medieval town of Sesslach.

In addition to the cultural activities Coburg offers, there are plenty of opportunities to relax at the town's spas or on the 18-hole-golf-course as well as to enjoy the town's many cycling and hiking trails.

There's a wide range of accommodation - from a youth hostel in a beautiful castle to a luxury castle-hotel. And don't forget to taste the Franconian wine, Bavarian beer and the local cuisine!

The charming city of Nuremberg is over 950 years old yet remains young at heart, suitable for trade fair and convention guests and popular with tourists seeking culture and enjoyment. Nuremberg has a compact Old Town where you can find anything your heart desires: interesting shops, cozy taverns, lively beer gardens and cobble-stoned squares with history-charged houses in between.

The city's Christmas Market and the artist Albrecht Dürer are just two of Nuremberg's famous "hallmarks" - not to mention, of course, the International Toy Fair and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™.

The Imperial Castle dating back to the Middle Ages and the medieval Craftmen's Courtyard are "must sees" for visitors as well a visit to one of city's many important museums such as the German National Museum, the largest museum of German-speaking art and culture in the world, the Documentation Center or the Nazi Party Rally Grounds. There is always something to see and experience in Nuremberg.

Passau is both a lively modern town and historical city close to the Austrian border. The charming old town with its Baroque towers and squares, narrow and winding little streets and alleyways, idyllic beer gardens, cozy inns and numerous street cafes make you feel truly welcome. Its unique location at the confluence of the three rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz has also made the town an incredibly culturally rich and artistic center.

A highlight of any visit to Passau is the cathedral, which houses the largest cathedral organ in the world - a visit to one of the organ concerts held May - October at 12noon Monday-Saturday is highly recommended. From the fortress Veste Oberhaus, the visitor has a unique panoramic view of the city and the point where the three rivers of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz converge.

Visitors to the city can also take sightseeing river cruises on the Danube to Linz and longer trips to Budapest and the Black Sea are also available

With its charm and flair, Passau is one of the most beautiful and impressive towns situated on the River Danube.

Some people call it "Italy's northernmost city", others prefer to describe Regensburg as "Germany's medieval miracle". It's quite simply a city to love and love to be in.

Almost entirely undamaged in the Second World War, Regensburg still presents itself to visitors as an intact medieval city. In the Middle Ages, it was among the richest and largest urban centers in Europe. Even today there are over a thousand ancient buildings of two millennia. And which other city can offer a 1,083-foot-long "icon": the Romanesque stone bridge over the Danube? UNESCO has now recognized the town's exceptional historical value and added it to its list of World Heritage Site in 2006.

Strongly influenced by Italian urban architecture, the city is much more than just a museum. Narrow streets with their tiny shops and the wide squares with numerous pavement cafés and markets are reminiscent of towns basking in Mediterranean sunshine.

With its splendid location and charming medieval atmosphere hardly any other town is able to captivate its visitors in quite the same way as Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria. A walk through this small town is an unforgettable encounter with bygone centuries. The imposing building of the Town Hall, stately towers, massive fortifications, churches and patrician houses are witnesses to a mighty imperial past.

An imperial castle dating back to 1142 represents the beginning of the town. Elevated to a Free Imperial City in 1274, Rothenburg became one of the most important city states of the Middle Ages. In 1631, during the Thirty Years War, Rothenburg was taken by imperial troops. Ex-Mayor Nusch saved the town by drinking nearly 13 cups of wine in a single gulp, the so-called "Master draught".

Losing its importance in the following centuries, Rothenburg's medieval center remained untouched. In the Romantic era, the town was discovered by painters and poets and became a symbol of the Middle Ages in Germany.

Nowadays Rothenburg, situated in Western Franconia, is one of the most visited towns in Europe. Its richness of old medieval buildings and museums - such as the famous Criminal Museum and the Imperial City Museum - explains Rothenburg´s reputation as one of the most attractive destinations in Germany. Highlights of next year's calendar of events are the Historical Festival Play "The Master draught" over Whitsun weekend, the "Imperial City Festival" in September and the world-famous Christmas Market in December.