| From God's Garden to Europe's Samba capital | | | | doll-making, toy, and glass-painting |
| | | | industries are very much at home in the |
| "I climb up to Saint Vitas of Staffelstein | | | | Coburg region. |
| and see the countryside surrounding the River | | | | |
| Main in front of me." When visiting the Upper | | | | The W Goebel porcelain factory where the |
| Main Valley - Coburg Region it is very easy | | | | world-famous M I Hummel figurines are made |
| to understand and relate to Viktor von | | | | also ought not to be missed. |
| Scheffel's enthusiasm for the Franconian | | | | |
| region and countryside that is expressed so | | | | The region is home to numerous museums that |
| wonderfully in his "Frankenlied" ('Franconian | | | | are both a testament to history and the |
| song'). | | | | products of these traditional trades, such as |
| | | | Europe's only wickerwork museum in Michelau, |
| When approaching from the south you get a | | | | the doll museum in Coburg, the German Toy |
| fantastic view of the Upper Main Valley: The | | | | Industry Museum in Neustadt bei Coburg, the M |
| baroque gem that is the Banz Monastery and | | | | I Hummel information centre and porcelain |
| the Rococo Vierzehnheiligen pilgrimage | | | | museum at the Goebel factory in Roedental, |
| basilica are located on both sides of the | | | | and the Old Christmas Factory with its |
| beautiful valley between Adam Riese's | | | | historical Christmas museum located in |
| birthplace of Bad Staffelstein and | | | | Neustadt bei Coburg. |
| Lichtenfels, the home to the German | | | | |
| basket-making industry. | | | | In addition, there are a number of arts and |
| | | | crafts markets that take place every year, |
| It is certainly not surprising that this | | | | such as the arts and crafts market in the old |
| valley is known affectionately as "God's | | | | sheep farm in Ahorn at Whitsun and the famous |
| Garden". The unique "Upper Main Musical | | | | basket market in Lichtenfels in September. |
| Summer" series of concerts take place in many | | | | |
| of the area's architectural masterpieces. | | | | The International Doll Festival in Neustadt |
| | | | bei Coburg is a delight for children and |
| A visit would not be complete without a walk | | | | adults alike. |
| up Staffelberg hill, where the Franconian | | | | |
| countryside really does quite literally "lie | | | | For those wanting to have an active holiday, |
| at one's feet"... From this point on it is | | | | the region has a lot to offer. You can go |
| already possible to see the Veste Coburg | | | | rambling, go cycling, go in-line skating, |
| fortress, known as the "Franconian Crown", | | | | play golf, go climbing or go sailing. |
| which is yet another of the region's | | | | |
| highlights. | | | | A visit to one of the region's thermal baths |
| | | | would also be a wonderful and relaxing extra |
| However, while on the journey to Coburg there | | | | to any holiday. There's the warmest saltwater |
| are many charming and attractive towns with | | | | spa at the Upper Main Thermal Springs in Bad |
| wonderful half-timbered buildings, such as | | | | Staffelstein or the Bad Rodach thermal |
| Sesslach, Burgkunstadt, Altenkunststadt, | | | | spring, the only thermal baths to be home to |
| Marktzeuln and Weismain, and idyllic | | | | a singing lifeguard. |
| landscapes, like the Kleinziegenfelder | | | | |
| Valley, that are well worth visiting. | | | | Northern Bavaria's largest deer park and the |
| | | | Museum of Hunting and Fishing in Tambach, the |
| Roughly 20kms to the north of Lichtenfels, | | | | Sea Star Aquarium, the palm house and the |
| Coburg is located among some delightful and | | | | Natural History Museum in Coburg are not |
| hilly countryside, and unlike many towns of a | | | | simply for lovers of nature and wildlife |
| similar size (Coburg has a population of | | | | alone. |
| roughly 42,000) this former seat of the Dukes | | | | |
| of Coburg possesses an abundance of works of | | | | Along with the many museums, the numerous |
| art, historical monuments, castles and | | | | arts and crafts markets and traditional |
| palaces that truly outstrips its size. | | | | events, such as decorating the fountains and |
| | | | wells for Easter, church fetes, Christmas |
| Many of these are thanks to the Dukes of the | | | | markets, and shooting festivals all give a |
| former duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha which, | | | | valuable insight into traditional customs and |
| through its marriage policy, established | | | | local history. |
| links with almost all the European royal | | | | |
| families. | | | | Shopping is also a delight and an experience |
| | | | not to be missed in this region. From weekly |
| Now Coburg is regarded as the "Samba Capital" | | | | markets, arts and crafts markets, and flea |
| of Europe due to its hosting of the | | | | markets to modern stores and factory outlets |
| International Samba Festival every July. | | | | at world-famous firms, there truly is |
| | | | something for everybody here. |
| Furthermore, the town has a truly diverse | | | | |
| cultural programme that ranges from the | | | | Culinary variety, local breweries and wine |
| classical to the modern, including operas, | | | | tasting, camping holidays, youth hostelling, |
| operettas, revues, ballets and plays, which | | | | or staying in a 4-star hotel are all an |
| take place in both the magnificent State | | | | essential part of the package this region has |
| Theatre (Landestheater) and St Moriz Church, | | | | to offer. |
| the main church of the town's Protestant | | | | |
| community and where Martin Luther once | | | | Do you have any further questions? |
| preached. There are also regular open-air | | | | |
| concerts on Coburg's Palace Square. | | | | The Touristboard is always happy to be at |
| | | | your service and they will be glad to help |
| The whole Coburg region is home to many | | | | you with any arrangements for your holiday in |
| castles and palaces. Callenberg Castle, | | | | this region. |
| Rosenau Castle and Tambach Palace, to name | | | | |
| just three, are worth visiting. | | | | Further information from Upper Main Valley - |
| | | | Coburg Region Tourist Information, Kronacher |
| Where the basket-making trade is the dominant | | | | Str. |
| industry in the Lichtenfels area, the | | | | |