My Most Excellent European Adventure, Day 5: Guten Tag

Monday, April 11, 2011
Trier & Rothenburg Germany


Today was a beautiful day. Lots of driving through beautiful German countryside. We had breakfast at our German/Spanish hotel (it was called the Casa Verde). It was actually very nice. We drove into the city of Trier and walked around and shopped. Such a cute little town! It is the oldest town in Germany.

The Porte Nigre (the Black Gate). The oldest standing Roman gate.

While shopping in Trier, I found some jeans! I spotted a store that looked like it had plus size clothes so I jumped in and 5 minutes later I had a pair of new German jeans! If you're ever in Trier and need some plus size clothes, check out Ulla Popken! After shopping/walking around we took off for Rotheburg- about a 4 hour drive. I drove today. Such a beautiful drive through the countryside. Green, rlooing hills, small villages with churches in the center. Not a bad day to be driving. We made it to our next hotel - another pretty nice one.

Our hotel outside of Rothenburg

We have been lucky to find all of our hotels, mostly on the first try and have all been pretty decent. This one is a little smelly, almost like the sewer backed up. We have opened all the windows and door to try to air it out... Then we were off to drive into Rothenburg to see the nightwatchman tour. This is such a beautiful, medieval city. We learned a lot about its long history on the tour.During medival times it was  avery rich, independent, imperial city. The during the 30 year war when they were invaded and overcome by enemies and the city was basically shut down until the 1890's. When tourism revived things for a while. It was on the verge of being completely destroyed by Americans at the end of WWII. When it was spared at the last minute by an American General whose mother had once visited Rothenburg and he had always loved to hear her stories about it so he offered them a chance to surrender. At that time the Germans were under orders not to surrender or negoriate but the particular German general who was assigned to Rothenburg was away so his substitute surrendered. This saved  the town from being destroyed. Since then, tourism has helped keep it so well preserved.

Our night watchman tour guide

After the tour, we walked a little on the wall the surrounds the city and then went back to the hotel around 10:00. It's been nice to spend more time in the cities we are in. We all LOVE Rothenburg and agree it might be our favorite place so far.

 I got to talk to my friend Lindsey today and we might be able to see her tomorrow, but unfortunately it may be too far out of our way, I'm  really quite sad. I was hoping for a chance to see her. I haven't seen her in about 3 years. Not sure what will happen tomorrow, but it's Heidi's birthday!