Rothenburg City Wall © Travel Signposts

One of the interesting experiences on any visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber is to take a stroll along the wall that surrounds this medieval town. The city wall is 3.5 km in circumference, but you do not have to walk the whole distance. There are several exit points along the wall from which you can decend and walk into the town centre.

It is pouring when we arrive in Rothenburg, so the walk along the wall is a convenient first thing to do as it shelters us from the rain.

The walk along the wall provides the opportunity to see the range of architectural designs of Rothenburg homes and buildings along the fringe of the city wall, enjoy glimpses into the backyards and beautiful gardens and the lanes and alleyways that wend and weave between the buildings and which are not fully visible at ground level. If you know what you’re looking at, there are some famous and attractive structures amongst the half-timbered buildings, such as the “Old Forge“.

And while you’re busy looking at what’s happening in the Old Town, don’t forget to also take a look at some of the plaques along the wall. They record the names of persons and organizatons who have made donations for the preservation of Rothenburg’s town wall.  Some of the contributions are quite substantial.

There are several towers along the wall, and at the main tower known as the Roderturm you can climb up to the top for a magnificent view of the Old Town and the surrounding area. To get to the top requires climbing up several flights of steep timber steps and those who have problems going up steps will find this a problem.

The Master of Roderturm © Travel Signposts

When you reach the top, the small gallery there provides a little of Rothenburg’s history. It costs a couple of Euros to visit the tower, which you pay at the top at the small gift shop. It is manned by volunteers and we are lucky that the very nice man on duty this morning speaks English and he tells us a little about Rothenburg and what to see. We call him the Master of Roderturm and he was quite chuffed.

For those who do not have a problem with climbing steep steps, going up the Rothenburg’s Roderturm is well worth it for the magnificent view of this beautiful town from the Middle Ages.

If you’re here with a tour group, keep a watch on your time on the wall as there is much to see in the town centre as well.

P.S. – Rothenburg photos will be uploaded when we return to our home base in Sydney.

Map of Nordlingen centre

Half way along Germany’s famous Romantic Road is the town of Nordlingen. Nordlingen sits in the Ries Basin, a large crater which according to information by the Nordlingen tourist office was formed millions of years ago as a result of a meteorite colliding with earth.

During the Medieval Ages, Nordlingen was a free town under the Roman Empire and played an important role in trade. The fortification walls which surround the city include 15 towers which were built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The wall is pretty much in tact and preserves Nordlingen’s medieval appearance. It’s possible to walk on the walls and see some of the impressive towers and formidable fortress gates.

We only had 45 minutes here, but it is possible to see quite a lot within this short period. From car park just outside of the city wall,  it’s a straight road into the town centre with its massive St. George’s Church.

We walked into the church and were fortunate to hear the organ  playing. If you have time, you can go up the imposing west tower, known as Daniel’s Tower, and enjoy a great view of Nordlingen. The tower has been the landmark of Nordlingen for over 500 years.

There are many beautiful buildings, including the Rathaus with its impressive architecture. The tourist office is in the  little square next to the Rathaus.  All around town there were plenty of model pigs which we’re not sure what it’s significance is to Nordlingen.

Nordlingen deserves more than the 45 minutes that we had here, but at least we’ve had a taste of this attractive town on the Romantische Strasse.

Book your Nordlingen hotels here>

Romantic Road by Europabus

You don’t need to be on a driving holiday of Germany to experience the Romantic Road (Romantische Strasse).  If you don’t like driving or only have a short time in Frankfurt or Munich, you can actually travel by bus and experience the Romantic Road.

Europabus is a company that has been running coaches along Germany‘s oldest scenic route for six decades. Essentially, Europabus have been transporting visitors along the Romantic Road for as long as the Romantic Road existed.

When the Romantic Road was created in 1950, the founding fathers were quick to recognize the need to provide transport connections in the area, particularly for international visitors. (How I wish these people would organize our transport system!)  The former railway authorities in Augsburg introduced the Romantic Road long-distance bus route in the spring of 1950, and up till today, the coaches still provide a link to Frankfurt and Munich international airports.

Romantic Road Coach Schedule

Europabus coaches leave Frankfurt and Füssen at 08:00 and Munich at 10:35 daily (subject to change) from 30 April to 24 October. Depending on the direction of travel, they pass the Residenz Palace in Würzburg, drive along the vineyards in the Tauber Valley, and then head to Bad Mergentheim, Weikersheim and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. They make a lunchtime stop in the medieval town of Dinkelsbühl as well as  stops in Nördlingen and Augsburg before reaching the Bavarian capital, Munich. From there, the journey continues towards the famous castles of King Ludwig, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.  Photo opportunity stops are made at Ettal Abbey, Oberammergau and the Wieskirche church, which is a UNESCO world heritage site along with Roman border defences (Limes) near Dinkelsbühl and the Würzburg Residenz Palace and also on the Romantic Road.

Travellers can break the journey whenever they wish.  If you’re cycling or walking the route, you can use the service for luggage transfer.

Tickets can be purchased online and also on the coach.  For more information about bus schedules, fares and booking tickets refer to Europbus website at www.romanticroadcoach.de.   Europabus also does Romantic Road tours, as do Viator who have a range of packages covering the route.

Information:
Romantic Road
91550 Dinkelsbühl
www.romantischestrasse.de

The Residenz in Würzburg - Bavaria

Along a 350 km stretch of road from Würzburg in northern Bavaria to Füssen in the Allgäu Alps is Germany’s most famous and well travelled Romantic Road or Romantische Strasse.

The Romantic Road is one of Germany’s oldest scenic routes and it takes travellers through rich and varied cultural landscape along the river Main and through the Franconian wine country to the Alps.

The Road links a series of picturesque towns and villages along the route and visitors have the opportunity to see small historic towns and old walled-cities with palaces, fairytale castles, towers, turrets and church spires. There are also many other places of historical interest such as the town squares, monuments and taverns.

And, if you’re in town on the right day, you may get a chance to taste some of their culinary delights and feast your eyes on all the local foods and produce at a town market day or partake in one of their traditional and charming festivals.

The route leads through the charming Tauber Valley, the Nördlinger Ries situated in the heart of a giant crater, the picturesque Lechfeld Plain, Pfaffenwinkel or Parsons’ Corner -

a land of farmers, artists and monks in the foothills of the Upper Bavarian Alps – before finally ending up at Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles, King Ludwig’s famous fairytale castles.

Romantic Road Route Map ©Romantische Straße Touristik-Arbeitsgemeinschaft

Germany’s “number one travel route” has linked the river Main with the Bavarian Alps as far back as the beginning of the 19th century. However, it was just five years after the Second World War that travel route was recreated as the “Romantic Road” a name that aptly describes what the region has to offer.

The best way to see the sights along the Romantic Road is on a driving holiday or on a coach tour. Alternatively, those who enjoy cycling can follow the well-marked Romantic Road Cycling Route for an amazing sightseeing experience. There are inns along the route where travellers can stop for some food and drinks. More information about the Romantic Road, cycling maps and special cycling packages are available from www.romantischestrasse.de.

Tours you can do along the Romantic Road
Visit Germany through Travel Signposts Photo Gallery

Touring Germany is a pleasure, whether you drive yourself, take a coach or relax on a boat; that’s because there’s a lot to see and the roads are excellent, so travel is easy.

Whether you’re looking for romantic castles, picturesque villages with twisting alleys and narrow gabled houses, mountain landscapes or vibrant nightlife in a modern metropolis, everything is within easy reach.

Try this Tour Route

You’ll notice that my suggested general tour route below misses out Duesseldorf, Stuttgart etc. because although major cities they aren’t really what people go to Germany for (unless you’re picking up a Mercedes or BMW).

This Europe tour roughly goes in a circle, so you could go either direction. No problems driving in Germany. You could do the Rhine cruise bit at the beginning if you wanted. The tour would take around 17 days to do, but it would be nice to take a bit longer.

Note: links to the towns go to photo albums on the Travel Signposts website

Frankfurt – Remagen – Cologne – Bremen – Hamburg - Lubeck - Celle (Luneburg Heath) – Hannover – Berlin – Leipzig – Dresden – Weimar – Erfurt – Wartburg – Wurzburg – Bamberg – Bayreuth – Nuremberg – Rothenburg – Romantic Road – Nordlingen - Dachau – Munich – Lake Chiemsee – Berchtesgaden – Garmisch (Bavarian Alps): Linderhof/Ettal/Oberammergau/Steingaden/Neuschwanstein – Lindau (Lake Constance) – Meersburg/Konstanz (ferry) – Freiburg – Lake Titisee (Black Forest) – Baden-Baden – Heidelberg – Rudesheim/Boppard (Rhine Cruise) – Koblenz – Cochem – Rudesheim – Marksburg Castle – Frankfurt

Don’t know where a place is? Try this map (opens in new window): Map of Germany

Or visit our zoomable Google Satellite Map Page

TRAVEL TO GERMANY WITH US: PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Other Germany pages:

Travel to Germany: a Europe Tour that’s a lot more than Beer, Lederhosen and Cuckoo Clocks!

When to travel to Germany for your tour: weather and seasons

Useful facts, dates and links to help you plan your tour of Germany

Book your sightseeing tours or day-trips in Germany online

Book your hotels in Germany online HERE

Coblenz

Kaiser Wilhelm’s Monument

Miltenberg

Nuremberg

Passau

Regensburg

Remagen

Rüdesheim

Reichstag, the German Parliament in Berlin

Most people associate travel to Germany with either big modern cities and Mercedes thrashing down autobahns or quaint wood-beamed houses, men in lederhosen and buxom barmaids holding gigantic steins of beer in each hand while cuckoo clocks chime in the background.

OK, I’m exaggerating,

but sometimes Germany does seem to have a split personality (especially when tourist organisations are involved). Travelling in Germany can obviously involve visits to a major metropolis like Duesseldorf or Stuttgart, but are you really touring Germany to see them? I don’t think so.

What you’re really out to see:

A pleasant summer drink in Bamberg

• Historic cities, romantic castles, rural farming villages, picturesque lakes, renowned spa towns and awe-inspiring fortresses.
• Twisting alleys and narrow gabled houses, romantic half-timbered cottages and picturesque old town centres, lush winegrowing areas and mediaeval free cities.
• Romanesque monasteries, gothic cathedrals and village churches, the Alps, the Baltic, wineries, pubs, bistros and gourmet restaurants.
• “Little Red Riding Hood” forests and places of sagas, myths and Grimms’ fairy tales, the Romantic Road, the Black Forest (and cake), scenery, cuisine and ambience.

And if that’s not enough, you can visit the Ries Crater at Nordlingen where American astronauts trained for their moon walks, and yes, the largest cuckoo clock in the world at Schonach…

Our other Germany pages:

Tour Routes in Germany

When to travel to Germany for your tour: weather and seasons

Useful facts, dates and links to help you plan your tour of Germany

Book your sightseeing tours or day-trips in Germany online

Book your hotel in Germany online

Coblenz

Kaiser Wilhelm’s Monument

Miltenberg

Nuremberg

Passau

Regensburg

Remagen

Rüdesheim

TRAVEL TO GERMANY WITH US: PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS