Hi, we will be travelling from Munich to Cologne by train, leaving early in the morning. We have planned a 3 or 4 hour stop in Rothenburg. Does anyone have any other ideas for another must visit town along the Romantic Road? I would like to get a taste of another small town, but do you think our time in Rothenburg will be enough? Let me know your thoughts! Thanks <BR>

Between Rothenburg and Frankfurt on the Tauber River is a town called Weikersheim. Its very attractive town square includes several beautiful buildings, a gothic church, a Roccoco fountain, and several outdoor cafes, and just off the square is one of the most impressive Renaissance castles in Germany with beautiful furnishings and an inexpensive tour. The town is quite compact and could easily be seen in 2-3 hours, including the castle tour. The train station is on another line from the main line that feeds Rothenburg, however, and it may take some time that you may not have if you're trying to do Munich - Koln in one day. <BR> <BR>If you hope to keep this schedule, you may want to stop off in one of the towns along the Rhine, along a major route with frequent departures. Boppard, Oberwesel, and Bacharach, between Mainz and Koblenz, are all walkable and wonderful (you might have to transfer to a regional train in Mainz to stop at these.) Remagen, closer to Cologne, has a wonderful WW II museum lodged in the old tower remains of the Remagen Bridge that chronicles the history of the taking of the bridge by American forces (transfer in Koblenz to a regional train, probably, for a stop here.) <BR> <BR>Have a great trip.

Shayne, <BR>I'd suggest you take a look at the German rail website: <BR>wwwbahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en <BR>You'll find that the shortest trip from Munich to Cologne via Rothenburg entails over 8 hours and involves a number of train changes. With an 8+ hour train ride plus 3 to 4 hours in Rothenburg, I don't think you'd have time for any meaningful stops along the way. I personally don't think four hours in Rothenburg is sufficient. Another point you might take into consideration is the wait time that you may incur for the next train to Cologne from Rothenburg after you've done your tour.

Shayne: Russ is correct about that Rhine River area stop. That would be a good route to take and Bacharach is probably the best stop along the way although there are certainly others. <BR> <BR>I have not been to Weikersheim, but Rothenburg is an excellant choice. You will be hard-pressed to see it in that short time, but better little than not at all, I guess. Rothenburg is a well preserved medieval town that is very original and with ramparts intact. It has always been a favorite of mine. <BR> <BR>There is a town nearby (about 25 km) that I do not recommend. Dinkelsbuhl is billed as an "undiscovered Rothenburg" and that may be so, but I was very disappointed when staying overnight there last May. I found it to be unkept, dirty, noisy and with somewhat rude groups of young people roaming the streets at all hours (no, I'm not a prude!). I lived in Germany in the 80's and thought that Dinkelsbuhl was at the top of my "Not going back" list. <BR> <BR>If your train trip takes you by Heidelburg, by all means, stop there. <BR> <BR>Good luck!

Given the already long day I suspect Rothenburg is enough. There's nothing really nearby worthwhile in the context of your day's trip. You'll have a bit of a walk from the station to the town anyway, so you'll not have excess time to see Rothenburg as it is. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com