Silence Burghotel/Rothenburg ob der tauber

Silence Burghotel in Rothenburg ob der tauber stands in this

historic 12 century building. It's located in on the edge of the city walls and near to the medieval town center.

We were charmed by the entrance to the hotel.

A close-up of their beautiful winter window boxes.

The hotel lobby decorated for Christmas.

The charming sitting room where you can wait for you friends and family

or tickle the ivories.

Our bedroom was room 15. It was delightful.  It have only a shower though so if you are in the market for a full bath, do tell them that at the time of booking.  The bed was beautiful and

very comfortable.

The attached sitting room was quaint and cosy.

This was a view over the Tauber valley from our window.

Another view from our window.

We highly recommend this very small hotel.  The personal care afforded here by the owners is second to none. Breakfast was lovely and for you American's that hate the normal meats and cheeses on offer as a German Breakfast, your hostess will cook you eggs any way you like. 

You will find this hotel located on

Klostergasse 1-3, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Mac gives this hotel three thumbs up and says you won't regret your stay here!

Christmas Eve/ Markusturm, Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Romantic Hotel Markusturm

This old custom house owned and operated by

the Family Berger dates back to 1264.

You will find this located on Rödergasse 1

91541 Rothenburg ob der tauber.

Mac and I had heard that the Hotel Markusturm was hosting a

Christmas Eve Dinner with music and gourmet food. We'd also heard that

the dinners here are not to missed.

We assembled to wait to be placed at our tables while the hostess

served champagne to the guests.

Mac and I seated at our table.

Great pains were taken to make this meal very special by the hotel,even down to the presentation of the napkins.

We were told that we'd be seated with other English speaking guests, but we had no idea that

our table would turn out to be THE PLACE TO BE.  It was an international mix of good humor, good fun and some lovely new friends.

From the left, Eslan from the Lake District in England, and Patrick and Debbie

from Canada.

Of course, from the left is me and Mac, but this other gentleman is Eslan's husband

David, who was great fun.

As you can see, the room was filled, but what you can't see is there is

a room behind this one filled to the brim with folks as well.

The food was incredible.  We started with a Venison terrine with a Cumberland sauce.

Next up, the most exquisite soup. We all agreed it was amazing.

They called it Tomato Consomme with Ravioli.

Next a Dorade fish fillet grilled and served  with saffron sauce, creamed spinach

and rice.

Our main meal was Roasted Duck Breast served on a bed of red

cabbage with potato dumplings.

For dessert Gingerbread parfait with marinated plums.

OH MY, was this an amazing meal.

While Mac and I walked back to our hotel, we talked of how our fears of a very lonely Christmas were not realized. We made some new friends and shared a lovely meal together.

We were filled with love and gratitude that no matter where we are

God was smiling down on us.  Although we missed the children and the grandbabies

this was a very special Christmas!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Facing our very first Christmas alone without the children, grandchildren or even some friends, Mac and I decided not to sit at home and pine away.  We were already disappointed that a heavy rain had swept away what we thought was going to be a WHITE CHRISTMAS. 

Nevermind that, we decided to head out to a favorite city of ours.  Rothenburg ob der tauber, a medieval walled village, full of charm and character.

Mac had promised I could go to the cozy little Christmas market.

Remember you may click on any of the pictures to enlarge and get a better view.

We started off  with a quick walk about the town to reacquaint ourselves.

Here is the market square with it's lovely Christmas tree.

We adore the old half-timbered houses in this village.

Here is part of the wall where the night watchman made his rounds.

In fact, he still makes his rounds to this day (in English and German)

and leads visitors on a mysterious winding tour through the back alleys and along the walls.

Mac and I decided it was time to head to the

Christmas Market.

But, first we had to stop and admire the SNOWBALLS, a confection

born here in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. 

This is a small but very old Christmas Market, certainly not on par with Stuttgart or Nurnberg

but nevertheless full of charm.

We love the paper stars that you put lights in.  So did all these people!

This booth was serving baked potatoes (jacket potatos for you Brits)

with a variety of toppings.

Tons of booths selling a variety of objects, everything from

candles

beeswax, honey and MORE candles,

 and Polish pottery.

Mac and I took a break from the

 Christmas Market to have a look at how the shops were decorated for

Christmas.

I loved the giant teddy bear and

the little teddy bears.

Mac and I both thought this huge cuckoo clock with it's Santa hat was stunning.

We realized it was now getting late as we walked past the

CHESTNUT VENDOR, so we thought we'd have a mulled wine

and head back to our lovely hotel. 

It was a wonderful day exploring the shops and Christmas market and

getting reacquainted with this amazing town.

Käthe Wohlfahrt Shop/Rothenburg ob der Tauber

In 1956, Wilhelm and Käthe Wohlfahrt, left their home in the East Germany.  One of the items they fled with was a carved music box, which played “Silent Night." This couple made friends with an American couple stationed in Germany who had admired their music box.  The couple tried to find a music box like theirs for their American friends.  Soon the couple found themselves being asked by other Americans who admired their music box to help them find one.  They decided on a venture to sell German Christmas items all year long. The first store was opened in 1977 in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany.  This is now a world FAMOUS business. Many of the American armed forces bases here in Germany have outlets where GI's and their families can purchase German Christmas items.

From the moment you enter the door, a world of Christmas enchantment

awaits.

An animated scene as you enter entrances little children and adults.

This was Mac's favorite.

For me, it was the jaw-dropping 18 foot revolving Christmas tree

and

the giant nutcracker guarding the stairway.

You can see the master craftmanship in these works of art.                                                                 

                                    Schwibbogens (candle arches) are handpainted.

 The incredible "ornament", "babble" land filled with

Blues

Reds

Whites

Oranges

Purples

Birds

The Crystal section filled with glittering treasures.

I loved the angels.

Mac liked the Christmas trees.

Christmas Angels.

This original shop is so worth a trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber if

you are in Germany.  If you can't travel you can go out to

www.christmasfromgermany.com

to purchase any of the enchanting items from

Käthe Wohlfahrt

As they say here in Germany "Frohe Weinachten"

Merry Christmas everybody!