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