Ansbach, Germany

Capital City

With a population of just 42,311, Ansbach is a sleepy Bavarian backwater. The city's baroque sheen and picturesque setting are undermined by a heavy bureaucratic burden and a transitional temperate-continental climate. While it has connections to major highways and railways, the nearest airports are over an hour's drive away. Ansbach is home to a US military base, but recent terror attacks have shaken the city. Those seeking a quiet, historic German town may find Ansbach a good fit, but most will likely view it as a bland pit stop on the way to livelier destinations.