I visited two Christkindlesmarkts... the first was in the romantic city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Rothenburg was maybe only 30 minutes from Burg Colmberg, and a perfect day trip. Make sure to stay until nightfall, when the charm of the city comes out.
It's a little city with medieval flair to spare, held within an ancient town wall. Small dreamy alleys, quaint shops, the quiet of snowy streets. "Where breathtaking scenery of the middle-ages mingles with the romance of winter magic." This is Christmas.
I bought my dad an authentic beer stein... which I learned from the shopkeeper is not what the Germans call it. Literally, it's a "beer stone". It makes no sense in English, and it makes no sense in German, either. They call it a Steinkrug... stone mug. Who knew? The gentleman also told me about the process of coloring the mug, using real cobalt. Not just a color called cobalt, which is common in tourist-trap shops. But actual cobalt, which doesn't turn blue until it is baked. And that you aren't supposed to wash your stone beer mug with soap. Just rinse it out. Something about how it affects the bubbles. You can take it or leave it on that last bit of advice.
Rothenburg is right in the middle of the Romantic Road, a must for any first-time travelers to Germany. It will take you from Wuerzburg all the way to Schloss Neuschwanstein, winding it's way through 350 kilometers of the most beautiful scenery I may have ever seen. Do it in a Beemer if you can :)
No comments:
Post a Comment