Invitation To Germany, Vignettes-5

Chapter 17 Rothenburg to Augsburg

Each time we approach Rothenburg ob der Tauber (on the Tauber River), Emmy wonders if it can really be as delightful and captivating as she remembers from our last stay. On our several visits so far, she has yet to be disappointed.

… there is a restaurant with a very special filigreed, gilded, decorative wrought-iron sign extending over the sidewalk, with small Golden Arches conspicuously displayed.

Dinkelsbühl was almost destroyed in the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), but it is now a well-preserved town with architectural delights well worth a stopover.

Chapter 18 Braunschweig Area

Wolfenbüttel … timbers run every which-way-but-straight and look so charming, while other towns have little charm. In Wolfenbüttel the style of half-timbering is neat and straight and very trim with a flair of elegance.

To quote a Goslar tourist brochure, “If you really want to know Germany you must see Goslar.”

Chapter 19 Hannover to Luneburg

Hameln … This is the story-book town, as someone (named Jim!) said, “Hameln, the home of the Piper and the former home of rats and kids.”

We remember Goslar with slate-siding shingles, Wolfenbüttel and Celle with beautiful timbered buildings, and now Luneburg, mainly built of brick.

Chapter 20 Northern Germany

Hamburg … those signs that say “Der Hamburger Hafen” don’t give directions to the local fast-food restaurant, they refer to the … docks that make up Hamburg’s very large harbor (Hafen).

Bremen … The Dom St. Petri (Cathedral) … Gothic arches support the portals and the nave, and Golden Arches are just across the street. … a long forgotten stonemason carved the “Bremen Church Mouse.” (Really!)