Rothenburg ob der Tauber

 All right, let’s start the list with Rothenburg, because I think we can all agree, this is one of the most charming towns on the planet! This pretty town is located within an easy drive of Munich, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart—but trust me, you’ll want to spend at least a day wandering around the cobblestone streets of the well-preserved medieval town. You can see the whole Altstadt (old town) from the top of the Town Hall Tower, which I recommend doing early in the morning, before the crowds really set in. Then, spend the rest of the day getting lost down the countless alleyways! Why go there? Not only is Rothenburg well-connected to other southern German cities, but it has some of the best-preserved medieval architecture in the whole country. The 14th-century walls are still intact (although they did suffer some damage during WWII), and you can even take a walking tour of them. Plus, there’s the historic Marktplatz (market square), the Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum, and plenty of other attractions that should more than keep you busy! Definitely don’t miss St. Jakob’s Church with its 500-year-old carved wooden altarpiece—one of the finest examples of craftsmanship in Germany. Where to go: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany