When I was a kid, I took two trips here with my uncle Peter and my Opa (grandpa) Rudi. Opa was a big history buff and took me all over Europe with him on his trips to auctions and Peter came along to make sure Opa didn’t beat me for being unable to recite the history of Franconian Free Cities or explain the uses of this or that medieval contraption. Peter needn’t have worried, I have been a fiend for towns like Rothenburg since I was able to walk, and for me, the walks through the lanes were marred only by other kids with their Opas and the occasional moped buzzing by to remind me that a witch probably would not appear before me and no knights would have protected me even if she had. Towns like Rothenburg  ob der Tauber fueled my imagination and my appetite for reading, and I still get a sorrowful longing for the worlds of my dreams whenever I see pictures of this town, or read descriptions of its lanes, homes and walls.

Rothenburg retreated into the forests of Europe after the religious wars of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries decimated most of Germany and left the rest of the continent licking its wounds. Bad for the locals who may have remembered glory days during the height of the Holy Roman Empire, but good for boys like me who could tour the criminal museum and marvel at the horrible ways men were interrogated and punished in the good old days. Like many tourist destinations, the city and the old Romantic Road trade route was re-discovered by bohemians in the late 1800s and since then has attracted visitors from all over the world.

The whole of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one big sight, calmly enjoying being seen, but for a small list of notable buildings look here to the official Rothenburg City site. Within the city, the homes and buildings themselves are the draw and rightly so. Many of the old patrician homes, official buildings and workshops of the medieval era are preserved as small museum-cafes or Frankish restaurants in the quiet, unobtrusive German style of tourism.

For a city full of wonders such as Rothenburg, its good to pick one of two methods: aimless wandering and gawking or a researched, analytical march from one historic building to the next. As a boy, the aimless method gave me the most pleasure because analysis would have probably taken the fun out of a romp through the old lanes. As a grown man, I feel the need to know who exactly built this building and why? Was the Toppler Castle a functional castle and for whom? Who lived here? What did they do? Only with this added background knowledge can my mind wander aimlessly through the conversations of old dukes and generals and craftsmen and construct a picture for my own pleasure. As a boy, I had no need of a duke’s name or an architects pedigree to get my mind going, in fact, any added knowledge would have dampened my popping synapses and Rothenburg ob der Tauber would have been lost on me.

My Opa was big on the second method and it has stuck with me to this day. In Rothenburg’s case, there are a few important things to know:

1) Everybody and their cousin shows up here during the summer months; tourists from around the world, mostly retired and walking around in groups of 20 or more. To avoid these crowds (deadly to any imaginative endeavor), go in the fall or the winter or early spring. The winter is amazing and only the very interested or very learned seem to come at that time. If you manage to be here during Christmas, the crowds swell a bit, but its worth it for the market.

2) You do not need a tour. There are books and videos for any research efforts you undertake and there are no sights inside or outside of the city that require someone to hold your hand. Except of course the Criminal Museum for those with overactive imaginations. (Thanks, Opa!)

3) Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of a string of towns along a road from Frankfurt through Munich to Vienna that were once the most important of their time, but now serve as tourist destinations for old, young, male and female alike. Just like Route 66 or Highway 101, modernity made the Romantic Road into a backwater, economically speaking, but for those of us who wish we could have been born in times of high adventure, roads like these make for the trips dreams are made of. So if you go to Rothenburg, you might as well keep going to Wurzburg. And if you decide to keep going to Wurzburg, might as well go on ahead to Neu Schwanstein …

Written by Sascha Matuszak for EuropeUpClose.com

The towns are very different, with Partenkirchen the more historic of the two (founded more than 800 years before Garmisch). The homes and buildings of both towns are in the classic Bavarian style and are covered with frescoes and, depending on the season, a blanket of snow or curls of flowers. The town survives solely off of tourism, so virtually every street has a small guesthouse, B&B and restaurant catering to those who love the heart, pork and potatoes and beer cuisine of alpine Bavaria. Some good places to check out while in town are the historic town centers, the Werdenfels Ruins, the Spielbank Casino, one of the many local churches or the Michael Ende (author of the Never Ending Story) Kurpark and spa center.

Because this resort town is only one hour away from Munich and well-connected via rail or car, the crowds can get heavy during the high summer season and also in the winter season just before and after Christmas. Both summer and winter have their own special draw: in winter, the guesthouses are lively places with steins of beer and roast pigs while the mountains are alive with the hot cocoa culture of the snow sportsman. In 2011  Garmish Partenkirchen hosts the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship. In the summer, the many hiking trails around the area are somewhat crowded and the Partnach Gorge — a slash in the mountains created by the Partnach River — is the most popular sight.

The nearby Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, is one of the attractions that spans all seasons. You can take a train up to the top and a cable car back down or if you are a skier, the mountain and its attached shoulders have year-round glacial snow and provide some of the best skiing in Europe.

This town is also a part of the Romantic Road — a collection of towns most non-Germans would describe as being “very German” — and can be included on a trip north to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or south to Neu Schwanstein. When we were here we took a look at the Olympic Ski Jump just outside of town and went to visit some of Ludwig II’s castles and homes including Linderhof and Neu Schwanstein. From there we headed south to Innsbruck, one of the most beautiful towns I have ever visited, just across the border in Austria.

If you are not interested in following the Romantic Road in either direction, you can stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and enjoy some of the close-by excursions or become a member of the growing club of “Wellness Tourists” that flock here during any season to cure existing ailments or protect themselves from possible future problems. The spas, crisp air and clean, clear water of this region give rise to a whole new cuisine as well as the opportunity to shed the stress and grime of the city life. Hike into the Oberammergau Alps and get a taste of that good mountain living through local B&Bs and entertainment — be it lederhosen and dancing or one of Germany’s oldest continuous plays, The Passion Play.

Photo by Bill Fogarty

The Residenz greatly captures the elaborate lifestyles of its inhabitants during the 18th Century as well as serves as an exceptional example of German Baroque architecture. Prince Bishop Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn commissioned architect Balthasas Neumann to design this palace. The exterior of the structure was completed in 1744 and the interior finished by 1780, under the supervision of succeeding prince bishops. While the architectural style is primarily from the German Baroque school of design, influences from French château and Imperial Baroque favored in Vienna can also be observed. The resulting style is a unique aesthestic, due in part to the numerous architects commissioned over the years to expand or restore the palace. The interior of the Residenz contains some of the finest examples of artwork produced by artists and artisans from across the continent.

The city of Würzburg suffered great damage during a March 1945 air raid.  A fire ravaged the Residenz, destroying much of the interior. Many of the rooms now on display were spared from the damage, including the Staircase, White Hall, Vestibule and Great Hall. Painstaking efforts were taken to accurately restore the palace and its ornate interiors. The restoration was finally complete in the 1980s and in 1981 the Residenz and Court Gardens were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Currently, forty rooms of the Residenz are open to the public. Each room is furnished with antique furniture and artwork from the 18th Century. Visitors to the Residenz begin their tour of the building in the Vestible, a large entrance with an impressive vaulted ceiling. Neoclassical stucco details decorate this starkly white room. The adjoining Garden Hall presents an impressive ceiling fresco depicting a banquet of Greek gods. To access the second floor rooms, visitors ascend the impressive staircase, one of the most famous elements in the Residenz. Above the three flights of the stairway is the world’s largest ceiling fresco, painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. The continents of America, Africa and Asia, personified as women, surround Europe. Upstairs rooms include the White Hall and Imperial Hall, both containing magnificent architectural details, such as intricately carved stucco-work, marble columns and frescos. Moving further into the second floor, visitors can wander into the Southern and Northern Imperial Apartments. Following the style of the Baroque era, the apartments consisted of a series of rooms, each more elaborately decorated than the one preceding it. The most impressive room of the Southern Imperial Apartments is the Venetian Room with its gilded Mirror Cabinet, reconstructed to resemble its mid-18th Century state following bombing raids of 1945. The Northern Imperial Apartments contain many rich tapestries, lush damask covered walls, and sumptuous furnishings.

The Court Chapel or Hofkirche is also open to the public, with a separate entrance from the main palace. The chapel is small in size, but richly decorated with stucco and marble sculptures, dome vaults, and frescos. Many historians consider the chapel to be one of the best-preserved 18th Century religious buildings in the country.

Equally impressive to the palace and its ornate interior are Hofgarten or court gardens. Prince Bishop Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim commissioned the gardens in the mid-18th Century. Seinsheim’s other residence, the Schloss Seehof, boasts magnificent landscapes though nowhere near the scale of the Residenz. Seinsheim sought the expertise of numerous garden designers, including a landscape architect, court sculptor and ornamental metal-workers. Three equal sized areas were constructed, the East Garden, the South Garden and the nursery grounds. The court gardens are well preserved and maintained. Thousands of rare species of plants and flowers grow in the gardens and many sections of the gardens have been restored to historic designs. Visitors can walk along the many paths, admiring the well manicured lawns, countless toparies, decorative sculptures and elaborately detailed wrought-iron garden gates.

The Residenz is easily accessible from the central train station in Würzburg or by bus.  For additional transportation information, visit the tourist information section of the Residenz’s website.

The palace is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM April through October and 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM November through March. Admission to the palace costs €7, but the court garden is free to the public. Guided tours in English are given daily between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

The Germaniches Nationalmuseum  is one of the largest museums in the country. The museum contains various exhibitions on the art and culture of the country, with some artifacts dating from the Bronze Age and earlier. Other features include paintings by Albrecht Dürer, antique toy collections, suits of armor and all sorts of other material objects from throughout Germany’s history. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and visitors who show a valid train ticket can save €2 on the price of admission.
Kartäusergasse 1

Those visitors wishing to learn more about Dürer, perhaps the city’s most famous citizen, can tour his former residence, the Albrecht Dürer House. Tours are given daily and visitors can explore the four floors of the home, including Dürer’s former workshop where artistic demonstrations are often held. Tours in English are given every Saturday at 2:00 PM.
Albrecht-Dürer-Straße 39

Nürnberg was once a center of the German toy industry and the Toy Museum offers a fun- filled experience for all ages. The museum’s collection spans antiquity to the present. Some of the most impressive exhibits are of the intricately crafted dollhouses and the numerous tin toys on display. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. Guided and audio tours are available in English.
Karlstraße 13-15

For those interested in the darker aspects of the city’s past, stop by the Medieval Dungeons. Located beneath City Hall, this museum housed in a former prison is dedicated to the history of torture. Small prison cells and a torture chamber comprise the exhibit space, along with several instruments of torture. The museum is only accessible by guided tour in German, but the gruesome sights are worth seeing for those fascinated by all things macabre.
Rathausplatz 2

The city’s controversial past as a center for the National Socialist Party (Nazi Party) is addressed in several institutions and preserved historic sites. The Doku Zentrum details the rise and fall of the National Socialist Party on the site of the former rallying grounds of the party.

Courtroom 600, the site of the Nürnberg Trials, is preserved as one of the most famous sites in modern Europe. On November 21, 1945, the trial of twenty-one officers and officials of the National Socialist Party began in this room, which was modified especially for the globally broadcast trial. In 2010 “Memorial Nürnberg Trials” will open after several months of renovations. The courtroom is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The courtroom can only be visited through a guided tour, held every hour on the hour. Tours are given in English.
Fürther Straße 110

Other popular museums in the city center include: the New Museum, on Klarissenplatz, a space dedicated to contemporary art and design; the Transportation Museum, Lessingstraße 6, containing the history of the national railway as well as exhibits on the history of the country’s communication systems; and the City Museum Fembohaus, Burgstraße 15, an institution honoring Nürnberg’s history in an impressive early 17th Century merchant’s house.

Be sure to explore the many museums and historic sites of Nürnberg. You will be glad you did.

Fish is quite popular in Franconia  as well. Karpfen or carp is consumed in copious amounts during the fall. The fish are found in ponds, but are not farm raised, and the clean, white meat is typically served poached or fried. Trout is also enjoyed across Franconia. The fish are caught in the numerous rivers cutting through the region. Trout is served smoked or when available fresh, poached, roasted or fried.

Franconia, like most of Germany, embraces seasonality regarding its foodstuffs. The seasonal availability of a particular produce is celebrated across the region and can be seen on nearly every menu. When white asparagus, or Spargel, appears in markets in the late spring and early summer, the pale shoots make appearances in every café and restaurant throughout Franconia. They are served boiled with a sauce of butter and breadcrumbs, in a creamy soup or as a light salad. Mushrooms are also enjoyed whenever in season, which can range from the late summer to early fall. Pfifferling, or chanterelles, are purchased in markets or foraged in the local forests and are often served in a sauce with Brotklöße, bread dumplings, or with various meat dishes. Steinpilze, or porcini, are also immensely popular when available.

Pastries are enjoyed throughout the region, with various specialties unique to each city. Lebkuchen, for example, emerges each Christmas in Nürnberg. These gingerbread cookies can be served plain, covered in dark chocolate or frosted. In Rothenberg, Schneeballen, fried balls of dough often dusted with powdered sugar, fill the windows of countless bakeries. And seasonality affects the availability of particular pastries. Zwetschgenkuchen is available only mid to late summer when the Zwetschgen or prune plums are in season. The  fruits are baked on a yeast-based dough and can be served plain with lightly sweetened whipped cream or with a sweet streusel on top. Rabarbenkuchen is also popular, with rhubarb replacing the Zwetschgen in a similar pastry recipe. Mohnkuchen is served in various forms throughout Franconia, but always with a rich poppy seed filling.

Franconia, like all of Germany, delights in beer and boasts many fantastic breweries. While beer is a local favorite, the region does include other indigenous beverages. Nearly all cafes and restaurants serve Schorle, juice cut with mineral water. Spezi is popular with younger Franconians; it is a mix of cola and lemonade. Also quite popular is a Radler, beer mixed with lemonade. Radler literally translates to bicyclist and is said to be the preferred beverage for those Franconians who stop by a gasthaus for a beverage, but do not want to wobble for the remainder of their cycling trip.

Franconia celebrates food and embraces dishes that are considered to be part of the region’s heritage and Franconians place great emphasis on the use of local and seasonal ingredients in all of their dishes. If you want traditional German cooking at its best, look no further than Franconia.

Written by Morgen Young for EuropeUpClose.com

The historic center is known primarily for its half-timber homes and numerous medieval structures which have been in continuous use for centuries. Written records for Herzogenaurach date back to the 11th Century, and two towers from the Middle Ages still stand, the Fehnturm and Türmersturm. Many historic half-timbered houses have been well preserved, the oldest dating back to the middle of the 15th Century. Typically, wealthy inhabitants built their homes entirely of stone, but for the majority of Herzogenaurach residents, housing constructed with walls of timber filled in with clay was a more economical approach. A more extravagant building still stands within the city, a Baroque castle built in 1720 at the request of the Prince-Bishop.

Herzogenaurach, with its long tradition as a fervently Catholic town, proudly features St. Magdalena, an historic church containing a Baroque altar and painted wooden vaults described as some of the most impressive in all of Franconia. Catholic holidays and festivals are held with great flair and spectacle. During the festivals, statues of various saints are marched through the streets to commemorate feast days and other religious holidays. These events typically draw attendees and spectators from across the region.

Herzogenaurach served a more recent historic role as home to a Deutsche Luftwaffe air base before and during World War II, and as an American military base immediately following the war until 1992. Many U.S. military bases sprung up across Bavaria and the whole of West Germany during the second half of the 20th Century. Herzogenaurach stood out, however, as having a very active and progressive German-American Club. As a consequence, the town celebrates cultural events significant for both countries, such as Fourth of July cook-outs and Oktoberfest festivities.

The city is home to two of the world’s largest sportswear companies, Adidas and Puma. Brothers Adolf (Adi) and Rudolf (Rudi) Dassler began manufacturing athletic shoes in the 1920s, even equipping several athletes in the 1928 and 1936 Olympic games. Following a falling out in 1948, the brothers ended their collaboration and created their own companies. Adi formed Adidas while Rudi initiated Puma. Both companies still maintain their headquarters in Herzogenaurach as well as large factory outlet stores. Locals, regional residents, and tourists travel to these outlets to shop for sportswear items at discounted prices.

In addition to the draw of historic structures and the shopping centers of Adidas and Puma, many visitors from across Bavaria come to Herzogenaurach for recreation activities. One of the many attractions is Atlantis, a water park frequented by children and adults alike. Waterslides and wave pools draw hundreds of visitors during the warmer months, while sauna facilities and thermal pools are popular during the bleak German winter. Herzogenaurach also boasts a golf course (considered a luxury by many Germans), tennis courts, and many other outdoor sporting opportunities.

Herzogenaurach, like many towns in the Franconia region, is a charming, well preserved hamlet. But its significance today is clearly centered on its recent service as a military base and the birthplace of two huge sporting goods companies. Visitors to Herzogenaurach are routinely impressed with the seamless melding of a multi-layered historical past and its forward-looking present. 

Forchheim’s rich medieval history has been well preserved as evidenced by its most striking building, the half-timber Rathaus or town hall built between the 14th and 16th Centuries. It is the focal point of the city center, and the adjacent Rathausplatz (Town Hall Place), closed to cars, is the site of a variety of festivals and markets throughout the year.

Another famous half-timber building is St. Katharina’s Hospital and the accompanying chapel, both built in the 1300s. Other noteworthy religious structures include; Martinskirche, a church constructed between the 12th and 15th Centuries with layers of various architectural styles, and Marienkapelle, a chapel dating back to the 1100s. The Kaiserpfalz once served as a palace of the prince-bishop of Bamberg, similar to the Schloss Seehof in function. The structure is well known in the region as the home of the oldest mural paintings in Franconia, dating back to the 14th Century. Interestingly, in Forchheim many of the medieval buildings are so well-preserved many continue to be used as functioning space, rather than house museums. For instance, the Rathaus is home to the tourist information board and the mayor’s office while St. Katharina Hospital serves as an assisted living facility.

The main pedestrian street, or Hauptstrasse, of the town is full of small cafes and shops. It is closed to traffic, so it’s perfect for strolling and window-shopping. The Hauptstrasse contains a small brook, known as the Bächla, which runs along-side the cobblestone street. The Hauptstrasse runs directly to the town hall. Many historic half-timber homes are still located along this street, as well as more modern structures.

There are several good dining options in Forchheim. Café Wauers, on the Rathausplatz, is a popular choice for alfresco dining and people watching. Located in the city center, the Stadtlokal Restaurant serves very good Franconian fare while international options abound here as well; Ristorante Pinocchio offers Italian dining and there are also Chinese and Mexican restaurants available.

There are festivals aplenty in this picturesque hamlet. A Carnival festival and parade is thrown in January while the months of April and May host Theatertage, a festival of plays and drama. Annafest draws people from far and wide and is held at the end of July and the beginning of August. This local beer fest is held in the Kellerwald and the four breweries located in Forchheim all participate. Some locals prefer its quaintness to the hectic, tourist filled Berg held earlier in the year in Erlangen.

Like most of Franconia, Forchheim celebrates Christmas with a real flare. An annual Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas festival, is held in the city center and the historic town hall is transformed into a beautiful Advent calendar, the largest in the world in fact.

Forchheim is part of the greater Nürnberg transport area, so arriving in the town from Nurnberg is quite easy. From Nürnberg the town can be accessed by bus or taxi, or another option is to rent a car and drive to Forchheim and other quaint villages in and around Franconian Switzerland.

After secularization, the castle came under private ownership and fell under neglect during the 19th and early 20th Centuries. The original furnishings were sold off and the elaborate gardens decayed. In 1975, the Bavarian government purchased the property and the castle and gardens underwent extensive renovations, reopening to the public in the 1990s. Some of the original furnishings and artwork of the palace were located and placed on exhibit.

Visitors to the palace first come across the Orangery building, an extension of the original Memmelsdorf gate. The central gate was constructed in the early 18th Century in the Rococo style; white stucco with orange accents. Greenhouses were later added to flank the gate to shelter the exotic plants owned by the prince-bishop during the winter months. Part of the Orangery now serves as a museum for the artist Ferdinand Tietz, who worked on several commissions for the palace and gardens.

One of the most unique qualities of the Schloss is the massive fountain or cascade located behind the main building. The piece was sculpted by Ferdinand Tietz and depicts Hercules and some of his twelve labors. Construction began in the 1760s and in addition to the large fountain, an underground tunnel was required to supply a constant source of water to the sculpture.

There are currently nine rooms of the palace accessible to visitors. Many contain the original wooden mosaic floors, arranged in interesting geometric patterns. The ballroom or White Hall contains a well-preserved ceiling fresco painted by Guiseppe Appiani, depicting Cupid and other angels. All of the rooms have been restored to resemble life in the 17th and 18th Centuries, with furniture, artwork, light fixtures and other details from the respective periods.

Tours of the interior are given in English and German. Visitors can view the period-decorated rooms and inner courtyard. The castle is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from April to October and closed during the winter. Guided tours are offered daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The castle gardens are open the same months as the main building, but can be toured at no cost. The cascade’s water display is shown every hour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from May through October. It is worth watching the water dance among the sculptures while visiting the palace.

In the summer, the castle hosts classical music concerts. In early June a chamber music festival, known as Spring in the Schloss Seehof, is held. A second music festival, Sommerserenaden Schloss Seehof, takes place in August.

The Schloss Seehof can be accessed by car or by bus from Bamberg. There is a small café at the palace located in the Orangery. This romantic building with its idyllic surrounding gardens is well worth a visit. Bring a picnic and make a day of it, touring the house museum, watching the waterworks display at the cascade and strolling amidst the perfectly manicured lawn.

The city is very popular among tourists and thus is easily accessible via bus provided by various travel agencies. However, to avoid the masses of tourists, a day trip to Rothenburg is best during the morning or evening. In general, the city is most popular during the summer months. Try to visit in late April or early May for cooler weather and fewer crowds. The city can be accessed by train, as Rothenburg’s station is but a short walk from the city center. Be sure to buy tickets for Rothenburg ob der Tauber, as Germany has many towns named Rothenburg. Many visitors rent cars and drive to the city, cruising along the famous Romantic Road. Either way, Rothenburg is easily accessible and very pedestrian friendly.

The entire city can be seen in a day; walking from one end of town to the other takes but fifteen minutes. If you decide to spend a few days, try Hotel Eisenhut in the Town Hall Square, or Hotel Villa Mittermeier, situated near the city center, but away from the main tourist drag. Villa Mittermeier also boasts a great restaurant, featuring international fare with regional German influences.

A speciality of the city is the Schneeballen (snowballs), a pastry made of fried dough and dusted with powdered sugar or dipped in chocolate. Many bakeries lure hungry visitors with their window displays of Schneeballen and other sweet treats.

The city has numerous historic sites worth exploring and many visitors begin in the Market Square. Guided tours in English are offered by the city tourism office for a nominal fee. They run approximately ninety minutes and meet in the Market Square at 2:00 p.m. One can also take a self-guided tour of the city walls, wandering along the cobblestone streets and occasionally ascending the steep staircases built into the wall.

St. Jakobskirche, on Klostergasse, is the most famous church in Rothenburg, most notably for its 15th Century wooden altar made by Würzburg sculptor, Tilman Riemenschneider. It is exquisitely carved and the earliest piece attributed to the artist. There is a small entrance fee and English tours are available at the church every Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

The city contains many museums of various focuses, from toys to torture. The Medieval Crime Museum, on Burggasse, is the most famous and proclaims itself the most important museum of German legal history. Much of the exhibition space devotes itself to displaying the various torture methods and means utilized by Germany, so it is best reserved for those who can stomach such subject matter. A more lighthearted destination is the Dolls and Toys Museum on Hofbronnengasse. The largest private collection of toys in the country is on display here, from doll houses to model trains. The Imperial City Museum, near St. Jakob’s, houses art and artifacts from Rothenburg’s past. All manner of items from the centuries old city can be seen here.

Shopping is a popular tourist attraction in Rothenburg, as well. Art, linens, toys, jewelry and souvenirs are all available here. Perhaps most famous is the Käthe Wohlfahrt, a shop selling only Christmas decorations throughout the year.

Christmas is a huge celebration in Rothenburg, as in many other Bavarian towns. Every year the city hosts the Reiterlesmarkt, a Christmas market that runs from late November through December 23rd. Artisans set up shop and sell Christmas related items; delicious foods are offered, mulled wine is sipped, and candlelight processions can be viewed.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a movie set kind of a town; perfectly preserving its medieval past while catering to 21st Century visitors. While in Bavaria, it is well worth taking a day-long detour to enjoy this hamlet while snacking on some Schneeballen and perhaps buying a few German trinkets.