First off, the train from Leipzig to Bamberg was very scenic and one of the better train routes in Germany, entering Bavaria.

Bamberg was a gamble stop for us because it's not even in my guide book, but supposedly it is worth a visit, and it turned out very well. At first we were a little skeptical when we were walking around the train station, but once we got to the old part of the city the tides definitely turned. For a small city, it had huge cathedrals and palaces overlooking the city from a hill. This was one of the most photogenic cities in Germany. There are two rivers that split the city and the buildings are built right up against the water with lots of bridges. Very beautiful city. Anyway, the highlight of any city in Bavaria is without a doubt the sausage, beer, and people. We went to a restaurant for dinner, and in Bavaria it's not uncommon to be seated at a public table with other families. We ended up at a table with four other Germans, who at first were pretty quiet but after they had a beer they opened up and spoke English with us. I love restaurants like this because it's a great way to meet locals and learn about the food and the region and practice a little German. We both had Bavarian specialties for dinner, I had a pork knuckle with horseradish and potato salad, and Sean had a pork shoulder with dumplings. The pork knuckles look gross, because they're actually served with the meat still on the hoof, but it is so good and they have real strong horseradish. Anyway, one of the best experiences in Bavaria is eating at a traditional beer hall like that and eating at a common table.