This being our first trip off the North American continent we learned many new things about travel. The first thing we learned is if you are going to visit a friend or family member on a military base, DO NOT STAY ON BASE unless the family member is free to be with you your entire time on base. We stayed on base four days in Vilseck and were pretty much prisoners the whole time. We did have a great room at the Kristall Inn, living room, kitchen large bedroom two bathrooms and English speaking television.
After our forth day we managed to get off base into the town of Vilseck and get a room at the hotel Angerer which was built around the late 1500's. It made the stay a bit more tolerable.
The second thing we learned, DO NOT GO DURING THE HOLIDAYS which run basically Dec. 24th through Jan 6th. The bars were open but we were lucky to find a restaurant open to eat at on New Years eve and on New years. BTW most every restaurant in Vilseck is Greek. I haven't eaten in a Greek restaurant for awhile and for good reason which I will not go into. I must admit I may have been wrong, the people we came across were very cordial and we received great service plus the food was outstanding.
On day 5 we rented a car so we were able to drive around and see the country side in Vilseck then we made our way to Amberg to meet some friends for a very nice dinner, then after drove to Nurnberg to stay at the Movenpick Hotel at the airport. There are other hotels that are more centrally located to the city center and less expensive but staying here alleviated moving luggage. With four bags a backpack and a disabled wife with wheelchair and only myself to move everything you get the picture.
We did not get to see everything we wanted to see in Nurnberg, practically nothing we wanted to see as most places were closed for the holidays. We had two or three days that shops were open and managed to miss at least two of those days. We wanted to stop at Swarovski Crystal, and La Casa Del Habano store and get some Cuban cigars and the day they were open we couldn't find them. Pretty much we just walked around and visited the old church, the palace, Nuremberg Trials Memorial and did some shopping in the City Point Mall.
The third thing we learned, GET A PHONE WITH INTERNATIONAL CALLING AND INTERNET, it will save a lot of aggravation and time when you are trying to get around and find places.
Here is a tip if you have been traveling and need laundry done, because laundry mats are few in Germany. If you are in Nurnberg and in need of laundry service go to BAYREUTHER STR 21, it is a small laundry on the corner but easy to find. You can do laundry yourself or have them do it for you, which is what we decided to have done. The young lady there was so helpful and spoke English, she called us to pick up our laundry when it was done, what a relief! I forget here name but I'll go back next time we are there for sure. Oh plus she has a coffee and pastry area @ the laundry so that's a bonus.
We absolutely loved Nurnberg, the city has a nice mix of old and new architecture with many of the old building dating back to the 1500's. I'll have to go back to get the names of the places we visited I can't remember them right off.
If you go to Hauptmarkt you will easily find many notable landmarks, shopping and restaurants. definatly one of my favorite spots. There is so much more to see in Nurnberg with a little investigating you will find whatever interests you.
If your interested in WW2 there is the Zeplin Field, the Nazi Parade Grounds etc. Also home to the famous Nurnberg Trials.
So anyways plan ahead, spend some time doing research and enjoy your trip.
Oh one of the best experiences of the trip for me, driving the Autobahn...105mph and I was still getting passed. :)
ok enjoy the photos.....
