Greetings. I have an extra day in Frankfurt towards the end of December and was wondering if a day tour of the Romantic Road to Rothenburg was worth it - or would it be way too touristy?<BR><BR>I would be interested in hearing any other ideas for a short day trip around Frankfurt this time of year. Thanks.

I think if you do a search on this board, you will find most people really like Rothenburg, including me! I've been 3 times and still haven't seen everything. There are lots of shops, but they aren't the cheesy ones you find in many tourist areas. And even when it's full of tourist buses, you can find areas off the beaten path where there's hardly a soul. It really is a beautiful little town.

Thanks, Betty. One other question if I can impose on your kindness, expertise: Did you use a tour bus to get to Rothenburg - or car, train, other?

We drove. It's about an 1-1/2 hr drive from Frankfurt. You can get there by rail, but it looks like you would need to change trains a couple of times. There is also a Romantic Road bus, but I don't know about the stops, schedule, etc.

We drove to Rothenburg from a small town (Messau near Ramstein AFB) and the parking was quite ample. We spent the whole day, it was such a pleasant place to be. We went in May and I don't recall tourist buses. The entire old town in encircled with a tall stone wall that you can climb up to and walk around the whole city. The shops are filled with wonderful items and we bought quite a few things there. I wanna go back!

I've gone to Rothenburg by train. Yes, you have to change trains a couple of times from Frankfurt, but at small stations and it was quite easy.

How long to Rothenburg via train from Frankfurt and Munich?

Go to Rothenburg! We drove from Frankfurt. Rented a Mercedes and put it on the autobahn!! (Hey, you only live once). That was fun and really easy to navigate.<BR>If you stay overnight in Rothenburg (which is really neat because all the tourists leave and you really feel like you're in a time warp), stay at the Burg Hotel. Fantastic.

Rothenburg in December? An absolute DO NOT MISS!!!<BR><BR>Check out the following the following webcamera from their marketplace. I checked last Sunday and it was quite festive with a Christmas market going on:<BR><BR>http://www.rotabene.de/webcam/<BR><BR>Allow a couple of hours for their Criminal Museum. Quite a unique am interesting site, the medieval setting fits it quite appropriately....<BR><BR>Have a great time! Post upon return!!

Rothenberg is really neat. Defiantely stay the night if it's in your schedule. It's an easy trip from Frankfurt via train. Yes, there are two changes, but just follow the crowd... chances are most people are going the same way. If you're still a little wary, ask DB's ticket people to print you an itinerary that tells you what platform you have to go to each time. Don't know if the Bayern Ticket will still be around when you're there but it's a great deal, allowing up to 5 people to travel on a 20Euro ticket. You still have to buy your ticket to the border of Bavaria from Frankfurt, though, but it's still a good trip.

Rothenberg is definitely worth the trip from Frankfurt. We rented a car and drove - it was an easy drive and the autobahn is actually a good road. Being as close as you'll be to Rothenberg, I wouldn't miss it. I've heard it's especially beautiful at Christmas. Have fun!

Don't worry about the train changes. We were also nervous about it--it was our first trip to Europe as well as our first venture on the trains. The stations get progressively smaller as you get nearer to Rothenburg. It would be nearly impossible to mess up.

Is it as easy to go to Rothenburg from Munich? Is there a bus that one can go one day and come back the next? How easy is the trip on the train? We do not want to drive.

Mary: Having done both bus and train, I'd say the train is probably the most comfortable way to go. There's a 9:25 departure from Munich, arriving noon in Rothenburg, with one change of train - this is the best possibility, as other morning trains require 2-3 changes and take a little longer. You can check schedules on your own at<BR>http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en<BR><BR>Shold be easy enough, but when you get your tickets in Munich, just request a printed itinerary to make your change of train even simpler - the printouts will include the track numbers you'll arrive at and depart from as well.

Number One choice would be ROTHENBURG for your short day trip. Posters above have told you why. You really need to spend the night though. My wife and I have been going to Rothenburg since 1970 and still enjoy the town...tourists and all.<BR><BR>Closer to Frankfurt is HEIDELBERG. The old town area has a lot to enjoy and the castle tour is worthwhile. You will not need as much time as Rothenberg, but if short for time, try Heidelberg.<BR><BR>