The Traveling Professor runs small group tours to Austria, Germany, Italy, Paris and Norway among many different locations. Here are some his favorite small cities:
Salzburg, Austria: It's hard to say if Salzburg is nicer in the winter or warm weather months. We've done our small group tours to the Christmas Markets of Bavaria and Germany and Salzburg is always mentioned as a favorite destination. It is the birthplace of "Silent Night", the home of the "Sound of Music" and a city of music with a famous summer festival. It's also the birthplace of Mozart. We recommend the Elefant Hotel for lodging and St Peter for dinner.
Innsbruck, Austria: Easy to get to, small and compact, this city settled in the mountains with a river running through it is the perfect Alpine retreat. We enjoy staying at the Hotel Innsbruck. Don't miss the dinner show and Tyrolean Evening Show. It is great fun!
Padua, Italy: If you have been following my blog posts for any amount of time, you know how much I love Padua. Much less crowded than the tourist trap of Venice and much less expensive too. It is the home of the university where Galileo taught, the Caffé Pedrocchi, the wonderful Scrovegni Chapel, the Basilica of St. Anthony and much more. Stay at the Majestic Toscanelli and eat at Oseria dei Fabbri.
Bayeux, France: On our small group tours to the Normandy Invasion Beaches, we always stay at the Churchill Hotel in charming Bayeux. Great restaurants like Au Ptit Bistrot and Lion d'Or are our favorites. It's a calm and sleepy town, perfect for a few relaxing nights.
Bergen, Norway: Whenever The Traveling Professor does his small group tour to Norway, travelers always mention this Hanseatic city as being one of their favorites. Perched at the end of a fjord, brightly pained wooden homes pack the historic center of the city. Of course there is a fish market and a small port, but everyone loves the funicular to the top of the city for a wonderful view. Stay at the Grand Hotel Terminus at the train station and eat at Bien Centro.
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