Erfurt

Erfurt needs 1 day: the Krämerbrücke, a medieval bridge fully covered with houses and shops, one of the longest of its kind in Europe, in a morning walk, and the Gothic cathedral over the Domplatz, in the afternoon. April-October is best. It's inexpensive by German standards. It's the capital of Thuringia and one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities, with a historic center that largely escaped World War II bombing thanks to its low industrial value to the Allies.