Where the "Castle route" and the "Romantic route" meet is Rothenburg. Another walled medieval town that is definitely worth a visit. There is a new stelplatz to the south of the town, (well since we were last there in 2010 anyway), but it was already full when we got there at 1pm. Again we were not sure if we had turned up on a holiday or not so we set off outside the town where there are two campsites next to each other. The first one was full the second one fitted us in. A half hour later that was full as well. It must have just been a weekend thing. Anyway we were in the smaller of the two sites that backed onto each other in the nearby village of Detwang.
It is more like a stellplatz than a campsite and you pay for how long your van is. You also pay for electric by the kW which we didn't bother with BUT make sure you tell them to turn off the electric so no-one else can use your point. Paul got the electric and could log on to see how much he used.
That afternoon we had a little wander around the village which has a bar/restaurant.
Detwang church
We cycled in the next day but the cycle path is so steep it was harder work with the bikes than without them, especially when you have a little fat dog that sits in the basket while you try and push him up a hill.
At the top just outside the wall is a viewpoint overlooking the town.
The first of the gates is the Furbringerscheune Tower where you walk through an arch into the town.
Nice old mini clubman was parked on the street.
In the center is a christmas shop that is quite famous. They will not allow you to take photos inside and also do not allow dogs, so me and Sam stood outside in the shade while everyone else went inside.
Angela posed outside the christmas shop as she had before.
The market square is surrounded by medieval buildings. The nazi commander gave up the city near the end of the war rather than let the americans bomb it (against Hitlers orders). It is one of only three completely walled towns in Germany.
This house near the Siebersturm tower is the most photographed places in Germany.
We walked through all the streets soaking up the atmosphere and charm of this great place. Yes it can be a bit tacky with the christmas shops and teddy bear shops but you cannot deny its a beautiful place.
The next day we left the bikes at the van and walked to the town.
Most of the wall is covered and as it was very hot was a lot better for us.
And Sam.
After completing the circuit we ended up back at the Plönlein (the photographed house) and found a place for a beer.
Rothenburg is also on the Romantic route which is also highly recommended (Wurzburg to Fussen). Something that we have promised to do again next year.
We stayed at https://www.campingplatz-rothenburg.de/
