Medieval Treasures

Founded in 902, Bamberg remains a medieval-looking city known for its symphony orchestra and specialty “smoke” beer. Bamberg was also the first site in Germany of lithographic printing featuring movable type.

The city’s winding streets are filled with baroque patrician houses as well as the breathtaking 11th century cathedral of Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II, which houses his tomb as well as that of Pope Clement II. Tour the 16th century Alt Residenz (Old Residence) and the 17th century Neue Residenz (New Residence), both of which were bishop’s houses.

The second largest city in Switzerland, Basel is spread out on both sides of the Rhine river. The left bank is called the Grossbasel, and the part of the city located on the flatter right bank is Kleinbasel.

Due to its location on an important strategic river and bordering both Germany and France, Basel developed at an early date into an important trading centre. This development is still evident in the many international trade fairs and congresses held here. Basel is not only a city of trade, but it is also known for its production. Indeed, some of the world’s largest chemical and pharmaceutical companies are located here. It is quite natural that Basel plays an important financial and political role. Delegates from major industrial countries come to Basel to discuss the world’s monetary and geo-political situation. Meetings regularly occur in the elegant tower of the Bank for International Settlements (BIZ); yet Basel, also
has reason to be proud of its intellectual and cultural importance. The first university in Switzerland was founded here and Basel famously became the centre of humanism inspired by the visionary Erasmus von Rotterdam. Throughout modern history, great scholars have taught here including the physician Paracelsus and the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. A city of enormous appreciation for the arts, Basel boasts 267 museums, a grand new theatre as well as folkloristic gatherings and numerous civic festivals. The biggest event of the year is the Basel Fasnacht when the whole city takes part in the three days of high-spirited celebrations.

This former capital of Germany is located in the southwest area and is the major commercial center.

Without doubt one of the prettiest towns in Switzerland, Lucerne lies in the heart of the country on the northern end of the famous lake of Lucerne, the Vierwaldstätter See. Dotted throughout with many Renaissance and Baroque fountains, colourful paintings on the gables and commanded by the exquisite wooden bridge, the Kapellbrücke and Wasserturm, the 13th century octagonal water tower, Lucerne’s character is pure charm.

Spectacular views and sights abound from almost every vantage point in and around Lucerne. The heritage of this historic locale and of Switzerland itself is palpable in every landmark. The Old Town Hall – Altes Rathaus – is a fine example of a Renaissance building whilst the Meseggmauer, City Wall, built between 1350 and 1405 stands proud above
the city. A stroll along the quay takes the visitor past the modern health resort and onto the largest and most important Transport Museum in Europe and the only Planetarium in Switzerland. The famous Lion Monument – Löwendenkmal and the Glacier Garden, a geological phenomenon left over from the Ice Age make for remarkable viewing as do the Pilatus, Dietschiberg or Gütsch mountains peaks surrounding the city.

A short drive from town takes visitors to some of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth. A paddle steamer ride around the Viewaldstätter Lake takes in the majesty and scenery of this beautiful area. A short drive will take you to the nearby winter resorts and many more lakes, This is the alpine range in central Switzerland where you will find glaciers, lush forests, verdant valleys and so much more.

You can find it all in Lucerne from theatre and the arts to star-gazing and folkloric festivals. Lucerne is especially lively during Carnival with lakeside celebrations, Rotsee-boat races, and the international horse races. With such variety, a good time is virtually guaranteed in Lucerne.

A quaint Bavarian village, Miltenberg began as a Roman fort on the Main, and grew prosperous on income from river traffic. The Gothic grandeur of its Merchant Hall and lovely medieval and Renaissance houses reflect affluence and cultural wealth. Enticing outdoor cafes, half-timbered houses, and a 400 year-old fountain are among the memorable sights found in Market Square.

Nuremberg (German Nürnberg), city in south central Germany, on the Pegnitz River, in Bavaria, near Fürth. The city is a commercial and industrial center, served by railroads and the Ludwig Canal, which connects the Danube and Main rivers. Nuremberg is widely known for its toys and honey and spice cakes (Lebkuchen); other products include motor vehicles, electrical and electronic equipment, office machinery, textiles, and precision instruments. Among the city’s points of interest are the Hauptmarkt, the main market square; the Gothic Saint Sebald’s Church (mainly 13th century); a castle (begun 11th century); the German National Museum; toy and transportation museums; the house (now a museum) where the artist Albrecht Dürer lived; and extensive parts of the old city walls (chiefly 15th century). A section of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg is in the city.

Prague, the capitol of the Czech Republic and Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), is a city of history unlike any other major European city. Unscathed by bombing during World War II, many of its old buildings stand as testimony to the events that occurred here.

Rüdesheim is a small, very quaint “Bavarian” village in Germany on the Rhine River. Points of interest include the Asbach Brandy Distillery, Cable-car to Niederwald Monument, Medieval Museum of Torture, a Falconry and many wine festivals throughout the year.

The ancient capital of Alsace it is located in the northeast corner of France near the border with Germany. The city has exchanged hands between France and Germany during the World Wars. It is considered to be at the “crossroads” of Europe and is the home of the European Parliment. Visit the Palais Rohan, home of many famous paintings; La Petite France with its ancient structures; the famous Church of St. Thomas; and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, built in 1439 and the largest building of its type in the World.

A history filled town located near the Main and Tauber rivers.

Intersecting trade routes, a favorable climate, fertile soil and a primary waterway brought wealth to Würzburg from the early Middle Ages. Symbols of this wealth-and the artistry it bought-are what still attract visitors: the massive, medieval Fortress Marienberg that towers over the city; the Residenz, arguably the most ornate Baroque palace in Germany; St. Kilian’s Cathedral, with its Romanesque exterior and splendidly Rococo interior; and Neumünster Church.

Today, Würzburg, the northern terminus of the Romantic Road, is a surprisingly cosmopolitan Bavarian city filled with architectural and artistic treasures-and exquisite Franconian wine.

Those who make the trip to Würzburg are generally surprised by its warmth, charm and extensive variety of art, architecture and culture. Würzburg’s prime location on the Main makes for delightful strolls along the promenade, and riverfront cafes overflow in good weather. Sightseeing boats offer sightseeing excursions and trips to neighboring villages, and passenger ships plying the Rhine, Main and Danube make the city a prime stop.

Würzburg lies in the heart of Franconian Wine Region, and wine and wine-making are central to life in Würzburg. In autumn, the hills surrounding Würzburg and throughout Franconia are dotted with grape pickers, who fill baskets and dump them into waiting trailers.

Switzerland’s largest city is surprisingly compact, with a wealth of churches, museums, and cobbled streets. More than half of Zurich’s 41 museums are free, from the wide-ranging Swiss National Museum, with treaures from prehistory to the present, to the tightly focused Beyer Museum of Time and the Museum Strauhof, strong on James Joyce artifacts and memorabilia. A free list of museums can be picked up at the tourist office.

Zurich’s premier magnet is the Old Town, a maze of medieval streets on both sides of the Limmat River. Among the most ancient and charming byways in this part of town are Neumarkt, Rindermarkt, and Predigergasse–narrow streets with building, some of them more than 700 years old, housing galleries and small shops brimming with stylish jewelry, clothing, crafts, works of art, and books. Augustinergasse, lines with 17th- and 18th- century houses, curves up to St. Peter’s, the city’s oldest parish church, also notable for having the largest clock face in Europe. If you don’t insist on top-name brands, it’s possible to do well buying classy-looking Swiss watches (under $100) and chocolate at department stores such as ABM, EPA, and Migros. For gift boxes of beautifully packaged chocolate truffles ($9-$25), try Schurter, on Niederdorfstrasse, also a fine spot for relaxing over a cup of hot chocolate or coffee ($2.50) and slice of cake ($2-$4). Swiss Army knives (starting at $12.50–and generally about half the price of those sold in the States), jewelry, wooden toys, and cheese boards can be purchased at Heimatwerk, with shops throughout Switzerland, but value-conscious
shoppers flock to the Zurich store, where an entire room is devoted to sales merchandise.

Countryside is close at hand in Zurich. Every 30 minutes, a train departs from Zurich’s Hauptbahnhof (train station) for the summit of Uetliberg Mountain, some 1,500 feet above the city. Plan your departure from Zurich so that you can have an early lunch in the train station, at Les Arcades (a plate of bratwurst is $12). Instead of boarding the train for the return trip after you’ve admired the view from Uetliberg, take the easy under-two-hour walk along the mountain ridge to Felsenegg, where you can then hop on a cable car for the quick trip back to Zurich.