Nürnberg is the principal city of Franconia, and second in size and significance in Bavaria only to München. Its origins date from at least 1040. Nürnberg has always taken a leading role in German affairs. It was here, for example, that the first "diet," or meeting of the Holy Roman Emperors, was held. It was here, too, that Hitler staged the most grandiose Nazi rallies and the Allies held the war trials. Before the devastation wrought by the terrible air raids of 1945, Nürnberg was Germany’s greatest surviving medieval city. The destruction, though extensive, was not total. Sensitive rebuilding and restoration have respected the ancient street pattern, enabling the visitor to recapture the atmosphere of the city’s heyday, in the 15th and 16th centuries, when it was the principal focus of Germany’s politics, culture, trade, science and technology. Nürnberg today is a notable industrial city, still associated with its traditional Lebkuchen and handmade toys.

     The highlights of our guided coach and walking city tour include the Justice Palace, the Zeppelinfeld arena, St. John’s cemetery, the medieval fortifications and the Kaiserburg.

     From the Kaiserburg, make your way down Bergstraße to Das Puppenhaus. Then make your way down Weißgerbergasse to Der Trödelladen. At our request, they have opened their doors on a Monday afternoon just for you. Perhaps you’ll find an antique souvenir or two!

     Take advantage of the remainder of our day in Nürnberg to shop or to see some of the other magnificent sights within the medieval fortress walls. We recommend a visit to the Albrecht Dürer Haus. Home of the greatest artist of the German Renaissance, the building is a typical half-timbered burgher’s house and the only completely preserved Gothic house in Nürnberg. The building houses a museum devoted to the life and works of Albrecht Dürer who helped establish Nürnberg as a flourishing cultural center. Don’t fail to pay a visit to the Schöner Brunnen in the Marktplatz — turning the golden ring laced in decorative iron barrier surrounding the fountain is said to bring good fortune. And you must try the Nürnberger sausages. Legend has it that the diminutive size of these sausages accommodated after hours sales - they had to pass through the keyhole of the sausage vendor's door!

June 6

     The Germanisches Nationalmuseum is so expansive that you might not find the outstanding exhibit of original 18th-century costumes without a map. But that's not all. The collections contained within this cultural museum are as varied as they are vast, so take your map along and explore them on your own after our orientation tour. The highlight of our visit is the world-famous collection of 17th- and 18th-century dollhouses. Each of them is exquisite in detail, but the 1639 Nürnberg Spice Merchant’s House is, without a doubt, the most magnificent of all. In the adjoining doll exhibit, don’t miss the simple 1530 Holzdocke among the other more elaborate dolls and their wardrobes. She is the oldest documented Thüringer doll.

     The collections of the Spielzeugmuseum der Stadt Nürnberg are truly breathtaking. Here we find the largest and most varied toy collection in the world. More than fifteen hundred dolls make up the changing doll exhibit. Doll wardrobes, dishes and accessories are all on the "don't miss" list, as is the truly magnificent 320-square-foot, 1:64 scale recreation of the old Omaha, Nebraska train station.