Monday, June 15, 2015

Homeward Bound 6/10/15

We are home
It was lightly raining when we left Rothenburg on the 0800 train towards Wurzburg. One transfer later we arrived with 30 minutes to spare prior to catching the fast train to Frankfurt . The train to Frankfurt was an hour late which is very unusual. Once again we stayed at the Bristol Hotel. Those manning the check in desk were very polite and helpful. The morning meal was included and service started at 0630.
After checking in we went to the SkyLine Plaza a new and multi story megastore. Joan wanted to buy a final blouse at her very favorite store, Desigual. On the way home we stopped at a very informal Indian Restaurant with a sumptuous and spicy buffet. My Mother would have added tabasco sauce.
After our 0630 breakfast the next morning, we walked along the Main river to the sixth bridge and back. Others were biking and running getting their days started. Reflection is a big part of the last day of a grand adventure. We were very impressed with the efficiency of the trains, underground, busses and trams that transported us on the many side trips taken from Munich, Salsberg and Vienna. We used air miles for hotels and Airbnb for longer stays. Rick Steves travel books provided necessary guidance and travel information. The 11+ hours of flight home left us enervated. Overall, the memories of those we met and shared time with will remain indelibly with us. Joan and Stu.
If you would like preview our other adventures:

Caminowalkabout.blogspot.com (Frances, Finisterra, Muxia)
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Monday, June 8, 2015

Rothenburg 8/6/15

The weather has changed yet again. It is overcast, cooler with rain predicted. We started off early toward the castle gardens, through the wall and down the hill to the Tauber valley. Our destination was the Toppler Castle.

Toppler was the Lord Mayor of Rothenburg in 1388. He used the house for a retreat for either relaxing or keeping a mistress.

Toppler Castle

We then found some signs for hiking paths that wound up to a mowed field. On the edge of the field was a ladder with a seat on top which of course we had to climb.

Trail

Our next objective was a small village called Detwang. On the way we passed some small Alpaca farms.

Detwang is one of Germany's medieval dukedoms. It began in 968. There is a walking and biking path along the leading you into town. We explored the church and its grounds and then the town.

We started back to town and stopped at the bakery for a late breakfast of fruit, yougert and pastry. While we ate the rain started.

 

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Sunday, June 7, 2015

Rothenburg 7/6/15

We transferred to another hotel for the last two nights due to a desire to spend an extra day in this magical city.

From this one to the below.

 

After a complete breakfast, we decided to climb to the top of the Town Hall Tower. It was a very narrow stair case with 214 tiny steps. The view was grandiose.

To the top of the white tower.

Tight squeeze

Hi Joan

Looking back down

To climb the final latter, you had to pay.. Clever

The final ladder

View

View

A quick stop for lunch.

After lunch we explored the city and visited the churches. The most intriguing was St Wolfgangs church. It is s fortified church which means it was built as part of the wall. You have windows for guns up stairs and dungeon like passages downstairs which were used during WW2 as a bomb shelter. It also has exhibits of the annual Shepherds Dance and many pictures of what the city looked like after the bombing.

St Wolfgang

Story of St. Wolfgang

Down several stories

Cool and a great place to avoid the bombing

To round out the day we decided to walk the wall.

Firing the cannon

Keep head low for a mile or so.

Passing through one of the many towers.

Keeping a low profile

 

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Saturday, June 6, 2015

Rothenburg on der Tauber 6/6/15

Today was another westerly transition day. We started out in Passau and took a train at 0645 arriving in Wurzburg three hours later. We transferred to a train going to Steinach then to another going to Rothenburg on der Tauber.

By noon we checked into the Hotel Markusturn. This hotel was a customs house dating back to 1264. It has been beautifully restored as hotel and restaurant. We booked it through United Airlines using our miles.

Rothenburg is a medieval city that lies on a hill above the Tauber river. The wall surrounding the city has 42 towers. The streets are narrow, cobblestoned, the roofs of red tile, and the window boxes are full of flowers. It's charm brings in many, many tourists. The shops are filled with German handicrafts and restaurants are plentiful.

We had a lunch of salad and three kinds of sausage, potatoes, sauerkraut and beer.

One of the many gates

Check carefully, where is Joan?

Tower overlooking the garden which was once a fort

Gate

Just a pinch of a house

Flowers everywhere

Store of 24/7/365 Christmas decorations

Anneliese, rode her Harley along Route 66!

Checking where we think we are.

Garden statuary

Our bed room

Early morning train breakfast

We made it up with lunch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Friday, June 5, 2015

Passau, Germany 6/6/15

Having tasted way to many pastries, it was time to leave Vienna. We were up early, cleaned up the apartment, and walked to the Main train station to get the 0845 train to Passau.

It is very easy to get around Austria and Germany by train. We have a first class euro rail pass for senior citizens. The large, bright, flat screens at the train station tell you what track to go to. We always pay the few extra euros to reserve seats. It is not always necessary, but it is less stressful knowing you have a seat together. The cost to make a reservation is 7 euros in Austria and 9 euros in Germany. On the platform there is another screen that tells you were to stand for the car you have been assigned. Platform 9 would be divided into 9A, 9B, 9C. Most of the time first class is just behind the driver 9A. We found our seats and off we went. We arrived in Passau, walked to our hotel, left our bags and went to explore.

Passau has a unique location at the confluence of three rivers, the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. It is located in Germany near both the Austrian and the Czech border. Besides its location, the most impressive sight in town is the inside of St Stephens Cathedral and its church organ, which is the largest in the world.

Shucks to early. She had gifts selected.

You can't keep the Chick from the corn

Fortress on far hill and entry of the ILZ river, very small

Confluence of the Danube and Inn. Color change

St. Stephens Cathedral

Inside most impressive

Monestary, Italian restaurant.

Margarita pizza and House spaghetti

 

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