Nuremberg

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It's worth visiting Nuremberg just to see the Schöner Brunnen, or "Beautiful Fountain". Situated in the main market square next to the town hall, it rises 19 metres from its octagonal basin, a progressively narrowing, gilded Gothic spire ringed at its base with forty painted allegorical stone figures. It's a good idea to ascend higher than 19 metres by visiting Nuremberg Castle, former home of the Imperial regalia and popular pit-stop for Imperial rulers. The observation platform atop its Sinwell Tower offers panoramic views of the city, while its Deep Well in the outer wall has spectacular views down to its rock-hewn roots 47 meters below. The house of Nuremberg's most famous artistic son, Albrecht Dűrer, provides insights into his life and art, while the Germanische Nationalmuseum has some of his most important works. The Frauenkirche, the Church of Our Lady, is another major draw with its Männleinlaufen, a sculptural mechanical clock and glockenspiel.