Days 8-10 Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Munich
Good Evening from Munich!
Due to some connection trouble we will be including three days in this post. Our first destination was Nuremberg, which is home to one of Germany’s oldest and most famous Christkindlesmarkts.
On the way to their destination, the tour stopped in Rothenburg, a medieval village that is also known as The Fairy Tale City. This is Lynne’s second time visiting the village, and it’s just as charming and beautiful as she remembers. Rothenburg features a wall defending the original village that dates back to the 1100’s. You can visit “The Hell”, a restaurant and drinking hall in the oldest residence in Rothenburg that is believed to be constructed around the year 900. Lynne and Leona viewed the city from the top of the town square’s clock tower, a tall climb through very narrow passageways. They had plenty of time in Rothenburg so they wandered the cobblestone streets and enjoyed the beautiful window dressings and shop displays.
Once they arrived in Nuremberg, the group was able to explore the Christkindlesmarkt on their own before settling into their hotel. Nuremberg is a fascinating city with much medieval history and is worth an independent visit. The tour had a long way to Munich, so the time spent here was relatively limited.
The first evening in Munich included an excursion to a beer hall for traditional German food and drinking songs. While the focus of the menu is beer, there are other beverage options available. The cheerful atmosphere was a lovely introduction to Munich, and offered some much needed balance to the next days events, visiting the Dachau concentration camp memorial.
It’s important to note that while Germans acknowledge the history of Nazi rule, most people are uncomfortable discussing it in a casual setting. Visiting a memorial or museum is a more appropriate way to learn about Germany’s role in the World Wars. These memorials are understandably very heavy and aren’t for everyone. Many tours include the opportunity to visit a memorial or museum, but there is no obligation to attend. This portion took most of the full day in Munich.
Tomorrow the tour continue to Stuttgart through the Bavarian Alps, with stopping at Neuschwanstein Castle.