We continue to the medieval walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Rothenburg (pronounced ROAT-en-burg) was first mentioned in written records in 804 as Rotinbure, a settlement above the Tauber River. It is the finest medieval city in Europe. Inside its undamaged 13th-century city wall is a completely preserved medieval town, relatively untouched by the passage of time.

     The Thürauf Family welcomes us to the Hotel Glocke with a warm supper in our own, cozy, wood-paneled dining room. After supper, walk the ramparts of the fortress walls with us for a rooftop perspective of this charming medieval town.

June 7

     The Puppen- und Spielzeugmuseum is housed in a restored 15th-century building. Katharina Engels has been collecting dolls and toys for more than 40 years. Her loving touch is apparent in the restoration and display of each doll, toy and dollhouse in her amazing collection. There are many doll rooms, large and small, which are filled with an unbelievable array of accessories. The papier-mâché dolls are busy with household duties while the Heubachs sit in a schoolroom with an FG teacher. Don't miss the all-bisque dolls riding the wonderful tunnel railway toy, the 19th-century Schreiber's Shadow Theater, or the stunning, one-of-a-kind costume dolls of Christiane Besch performing the Schäfertanz around a replica of the Herterlichbrunnen.

     If you’ve ever wanted to shop at the Christkindlmarkt in Nürnberg, but found the prospect of German winter a little daunting, then Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Weihnachtsdorf is for you! A year-round wonderland of locally made toys and decorations, two cavernous Christmas markets are sure to please.

     For a token Deutschmark at the Stadthof in Herrngasse you’ll gain admission to the town’s oldest patrician home - 450 years old. The furnishings are all original allowing you to imagine what daily life here must have been like. The yew trees in the courtyard are believed to be 1,000 years old!

     Cannon firings and parades are the prelude to this weekend’s annual celebration of the Meistertrunk, an event which occurred during the Thirty Years War when the Protestant town was captured by Catholic forces. The conquering General Tilly was embarrassed to find himself unable to drink a victory tankard of wine in one go, as demanded by his manhood. He volunteered to spare the town further destruction if any of the city councillors could drain the mighty 6-pint draft. The mayor, Georg Nusch, accepted the challenge, succeeded, and the town was spared. On the north side of the main square is a fine clock. The mechanical Georg Nusch in the window to the right reenacts the Meistertrunk on the hour. The actual painted glass tankard is on display at the Reichsstadtmuseum.

     Be sure to try a Schneeball, a local pastry speciality, while you’re here.

     This evening, stroll with us to the Burg Tor Garden to enjoy the late Spring flowers and a panoramic view of the Tauber valley as the sun sets.