There are a number of things Rick Steves suggests we see while in Rothenburg. Most are places or things we saw when we visited Rothenburg in 2006. for Rothenburg 2006.
Tour Itinerary
Tour Itinerary
Tour Itinerary
Before getting to the R/S itinerary and our activities while on our own, it's important to review Rothenburg's history for the last 400 years first.
Day 6 (Friday - Aug 30) Medieval Rothenburg
This morning we'll continue our journey to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany's best-preserved medieval town. After an orientation to town, the afternoon is yours to see the best woodcarving in Germany (Riemenschneider's altarpiece), walk the medieval wall, tour the Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum, or hunt down the best apple strudel in town. This evening we'll tag along on the Night Watchman's tour. Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Rothenburg.
Day 6 (Friday - Aug 30) On Our Own
Since we've already been to Rothenberg, we've decided to spend the day at The Little Christmas Shop and Christmas Museum and then have dinner. We also decided not to repeat the Night Watchman's tour.
Orientation to the town Friday, August 30, 2024
Rothenberg is a wonderful example of a Medieval German city with wonderful stores (especially the Christmas stores...see below) and restaurants. Of course, there is the iconic view looking up the main street. We spent most of our time in the other direction toward the City Hall and the Christmas stores and museum. So, here are pictures taken during our Rothenberg orientation.
Waiting for the action to begin
Bryan ques us up
And now we begin
Town Hall and the main square
So... there`s one more thing to show you
Christmas Stores...Yup! there`s more then one...details below.
Christmas Market Friday, August 30, 2024
Christmas Market Herrngasse 2 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany Tel: +49 0800 4090150
Christmas Market Friday, August 30, 2024
There are three (Yup! three) Christmas Shops in Rothenberg. We visited two of them. This was the first one we went into, but early on, we realized it was not the one with the Christmas museum, so we went across the street. But before switching stores, we had taken a bunch of pictures. But we have to say, if you're looking for Christmas decorations of ANY kind this store and the one across the street (owned by the same organization) will fill your needs.
Christmas Market Herrngasse 2 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany Tel: +49 0800 4090150
The Little Christmas Shop (Just the Museum) Friday, August 30, 2024
No, this is not a repeat of the section above. There are three Kaethe Wohlfahrt Christmas stores in Rothenberg. This is the second location we visited. It's both a store and a Christmas Museum. The pictures from the store are in the next section. The museum contains a variety of decorations dating from the early 1800's. Many of the decorations we have today directly relate to those on display...clearly showing that Christmas has not changed much in the last two centuries. The museum isn't free, but it's worth your time and money.
1870-1890
Nutcrackers 1830-1900
The Little Christmas Shop (Just the Museum) u. Schmiedgasse 19 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tel: 0800 4090150
The Little Christmas Shop (Just the Store) Friday, August 30, 2024
The Little Christmas Shop (Just the Store) u. Schmiedgasse 19 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tel: 0800 4090150
The Little Christmas Shop (Just the Store) Friday, August 30, 2024
This is the second section for the Little Christmas Shoppe. It covers the store (the museum is in the previous section). If you're in the market for Christmas decorations you'll find what you're after here...almost guaranteed. Going into the store after the museum we found many decorations virtually identical to those from Christmas past.
Now that`s a Christmas tree!
There`s more down at the next level.
and more...
and more...
Huge Angle Chimes
The Little Christmas Shop (Just the Store) u. Schmiedgasse 19 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tel: 0800 4090150
Gasthaus Alter Keller Friday, August 30, 2024
Gasthaus Alter Keller
Gasthaus Alter Keller Alter Keller 8 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Gasthaus Alter Keller Friday, August 30, 2024
If you head straight out the hotel's front door and turn right at the first cross street, you're there. We didn't need a reservation since we went to dinner shortly after 5 p.m. However, we noticed a number of tables were reserved, so we were lucky to get in. The restaurant is very cozy with various delicious "German" dishes from which to make our selections. The dinners were plentiful (actually too much for us to finish) and tasty. Recommended.
A very cozy place to eat
Gasthaus Alter Keller
Gasthaus Alter Keller Alter Keller 8 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Breakfast was in the hotel (as usual). The food and facilities were excellent. This was the only time we had to share the dining room with another tour group. But there was plenty of room (and food) for all.
This was a lovely hotel, except it didn't have air conditioning. Usually, this shouldn't make a difference at this time of year, but the temperatures in Rothenberg were very warm. The best we could hope for was cooler temperatures in the evening and overnight. The location was great (in the middle of the city), close to several restaurants, and not far from the sites we planned to visit. If you don't need air conditioning, it's recommended.
By the way, with a fan in the window and cooler temperatures later on, sleeping wasn't an issue!
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/240902120220240830_131900f.jpg "Waiting for the action to begin")
/240902120220240830_132047f.jpg "Bryan ques us up")
/240902120220240830_132935f.jpg "And now we begin")
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/240902120220240830_134055f.jpg "Town Hall and the main square")
/240902120220240830_134150f.jpg "So... there`s one more thing to show you")
/240902120220240830_134201f.jpg "Christmas Stores...Yup! there`s more then one...details below.")
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/2409030640Screenshot_20240903_164001f.jpg "Rothenburg")
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/241008195320240830_144154f.jpg "1870-1890")
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/241008195320240830_145445f.jpg "Nutcrackers 1830-1900")
/241008202520240830_183707f.jpg "Rothenburg")
/241019093920240830_151335f.jpg "Now that`s a Christmas tree!")
/241019093920240830_152626f.jpg "There`s more down at the next level.")
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/241019093920240830_152657f.jpg "and more...")
/241019093920240830_152728f.jpg "and more...")
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/241008202720240830_183033f.jpg "Gasthaus Alter Keller, Rothenburg")
/240918104020240830_181830f.jpg "A very cozy place to eat")
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/240918102720240831_081157f.jpg "Out front")
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/240918102720240830_132948f.jpg "Out front")
/240918102720240830_133318f.jpg "Hotel Coat-Of-Arms")