We read an article stating that cars are not permitted within the city walls of Rothenburg. (okay, I confess, it was on Frommers web site) <BR>Was that your experience? <BR>Or, could you drive the car to your hotel? <BR>If cars are not permitted, where did you park? <BR>Did you experience any problems with theft/damage to parked car? <BR>Thanks

In my opinion, Rothenberg is a much over-rated, over-visited place. I have not stayed there over night, but I have visited. The "city walls" do not enclose a large area, so it should be no problem to park your car and walk to your hotel -- where ever it is, if it is inside the walls -- when you first get there. The parking areas "feel" perfectly safe -- even leaving luggage in sight in the car, at least for a few hours. I feel sure that your hotel will be able either to get your luggage to the hotel or to arrange for you to bring your car to the hotel.

We stayed there in May at the Tilman Riemenschneider. At least for that hotel, but probably for all, you are allowed to drive in one of the gates (if I recall correctly it was on the north side of town, but your hotel can tell you)at any time of day (but only if you are staying in a hotel within the walls). We unloaded our lugggage, and then, since we'd opted for an enclosed garage, a clerk went with us to the garage which was a few blocks from the hotel, and we had to walk back. I think there was outside parking close by, but didn't want to take a chance, since there are so many people during the holiday festivals. <BR>I really don't think the city is overrated - it's lovely. There is a marvelous church - the St. Jacob's - which is rather stark except for the most fantastic handcarved altar on the second floor, and some interesting woodwork on the first. There is the criminal museum, which is very interesting, full of torture implements. I understand there are a lot of good shops, but we only stayed there the one afternoon and night, so I only saw a few. <BR>By the way, the hotel was very nice, with an excellent breakfast included. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me directly.

Hi! Rothenburg is a very beautiful town. We stayed there several years ago and I don't remember where I parked the car. If someone has not stayed there overnight, it is a different city. The narrow dark streets make the feel even more medieval. We stayed in a small pension and visited the crime museaum, also believe there is a toy museum. It is best when the day travelers leave and it become quiet. <BR> alan

Rothenburg is an incredibly well preserved medieval town with a parking problem. We parked outside the walls as we just visited while touring the Romantic Road. You can drive in and maybe drop luggage and the hotel will direct you to a limited parking area. <BR> <BR>Allow plenty of time for the Criminal Museum, very interesting history and is not all scary stuff. They have also good Christmas ornaments shopping, although if you are planning to go to Oberammergau (sp?), I would buy those there. Dinkelsbuhl is down the road and it is your ultimate gingerbread town; very lovely as well.

During the parking can be tough, especially during peak season. My understanding is that as long as you're staying for the night within the walls of the old city you can park there. We have done so on several occasions and never had any problems or tickets. <BR> <BR>The city is so much more beautiful before and after the hordes of "day-trippers". Enjoy!

Nickie, how much was your hotel? Did your room have a private bathroom? Did you like the place? <BR> <BR>Where did the rest of you stay? Prices? <BR>

We stayed in a 600 year old pub in Rothenburg in September. Parking was no problem within view of the hotel. Locating the hotel with the car can be a problem. We parked outside, walked into it, got there directions on where to park and came back with the car. Security was not a problem. Rothenburg is a wonderful town. To appreciate it at is best is to spend the night. Take the nightwatchmans tour. In September it started it a 8pm (for english) with the guide dressed in 16th century dress. It lasts a little over an hour with explanation of the job of a night watchman in the 16th century which is highly informative and entertaining, learning about life in the 16th. Walk the wall, at least part also. Shopping can be fun also for Christmas ornaments. This was our second visit and its a wonderful way to start a trip on the Romantic road. PS the pub had great rooms with wc and shower and wonderful breakfasts. The shock was that it also had TV with CNN!!!!

Monica, a twin room with a private bath, including a huge breakfast buffet was DM280.It was larger because we wanted two beds - they also go for DM 240 and DM 260. A honeymoon room is DM 320. I thought the hotel was really lovely, much hand carved wood, a lot of it in the bavarian tole style, the staff was friendly, the food fabulous, and it was well located.

Hi there <BR> <BR>I was in Rothenburg just last week! We stayed at the excellent Reichs Kuchenmeister Hotel in a beautiful huge room (it was a triple) with a view right down to the Plonlein, for 170DM per night. The room had a bathroom with bathtub. It was room no. 304. <BR> <BR>We arrived in the evening and just drove right into the town via the Galgentor. We parked in the hotel garage which cost an extra 10DM per night. The hotel also has outdoor parking spaces for 6DM per night. <BR> <BR>I loved Rothenburg - as a Brit, I'm no stranger to medieval towns, but I found the place magical. The museums are great, the Nightwatchman's Tour is superb and the town is so atmospheric after dark when the day trippers have gone. Spend at least one night here!

Hi Nickie and Zoe, thanks for the hotel information. Mary Ann, what was the price for your hotel?

One other question: I'm considering arriving to Rothenburg around 5-6pm and spend 2 nights there. Is that too much? Is there enough to see on a full day? Thanks.

Monica: We stayed at the Hotel Altfrankische Weinstube am klosterhof. We requested a double and actually both couples ended up with a third bed in the room. In September it was 95DM including breakfast in a very charming room. They do not have e-mail and only 6 rooms. WC was on the small side, like most of europe but very clean. 2 Years ago we stayed at Gasthof Greifen which is almost on the main square. They have parking in a rear courtyard with bigger rooms but the rooms were a little darker with less ambiance but nice. For activities, you have the tour, the wall, the Crime and Punishment Museum, walking up the tower, walking the grounds (castle gardens and below), depending on the time of year a picknic, etc. And shopping from art galleries to Kathe Wolfart. It is a special place. Since you are arriving at 6, one night may not be enough. We usually arrive between 12 and 2 and then left the next day between 11 and 12 to get everything in (including pictures). Even with that, we did not do everything, Have a wonderful trip it is one of my favorite places.

We were in Rothenburg for three nights Oct l8,19 & 20 and loved it!!!Stayed at the Hotel Hornburg just outside the wall.There is a large parking area next to the hotel. Martin, the owner, brought our bags from the car to our room, which was just lovely and had a seperate glass porch. He and his wife Gabriele were the most accomodating and friendliest hosts we encountered on our 2 week trip. They served a lovely breakfast and helped us with all our sightseeing plans as well as advising us on the best restaurants for dinner. I can't understand why they aren't in Karen Browns Book. But that's a topic best saved for another day. At any rate, we enjoyed our two days in Rothenburg and are very glad we didn't have to rush it. I guess if we were there in the tourist season we might have a different reaction. When we left, we drove the Romantic Road (pretty, but not as spectacular as I imagined) kind of like the scenery in Vermont and stopped in Dinkelsbuhl. We both preferred Rothenburg over Dinkelsbuhl. Different strokes for different folks, I guess that's what makes this forum so great. BTW, the room rate was 165DM.

Thanks for the informative posts. We did as someone suggested---contacted the hotel and were given instructions on entering the city and parking at the hotel for two nights. We leave in several weeks and will give a "report" upon our return. We also plan to stay at St Goar on the Rhine and in Fussen. <BR>Thanks again.

My husband and I stayed in Rothenburg two weeks ago and found that it was very romantic and beautiful. We stayed at the Burg Hotel in the tower room which had a view of the whole countryside. A little pricey, but worth it! To see everything you have to stay at least 2-3 days, after that, the place may lose its charm. Things to do: the night watchman's tour, have a couple of drinks at Zur Holl, go to the pizza/Italian restaurant with the Discotek in the basement - there's an interesting mix of locals there, and the criminal museum is worth it. The other museums were o.k., but this one was morbidly interesting. Eat a Sneeballen (chocolate is great), and nothing beats fresh german beer - I am still trying to fool my tastebuds into accepting the pasturized stuff we drink in the States. The German wines are worth mentioning also. Have fun - hope this helps.

Thanks everyone for your hotel information. I know this will help me in addition to others!

Anyone visiting Rothenburg o.d.T. who would like a different experience for alot less than what you would pay for a hotel - consider trying one of the nearby farms. My family of 4 stayed two nights at a farm just northwest of Rothenburg (on the Romantic Road) near Creglingen. We had an apartment with two sleeping rooms, a kitchen, lounge area, and a large bathroom for 102 DM per night (wonderful breakfast included). The hostess speaks English and will take your family on a ponycart ride along the Tauber river and Romantic Road - free! Excellent experience - especially if you have children. You can find my trip report and write-up on this farm and several other lodging possibilities in the Rothenburg area at my webpage - Ben's Bauernhof <BR>http://oasis.fortunecity.com//montego/267

Based on my visit there on September 19, you absolutely can drive your cars within the walls of Rothenburg o.d.T. (though even in September there ARE momentary pedestrian traffic jams, so I wonder what it is like in summer!) I also observed traffic tickets being written by police, with no mercy shown to a driver trying to get in and move his car as the ticket was being written. <BR>. <BR>We visited the Glocke (part of the chain RingHotels - - www.ringhotels.de if I am not mistaken), got to see rooms there (planning a trip there next summer) and had a nice lunch - - no English menus, but so-so English spoken by serving staff. <BR>. <BR>I do NOT think that it is over-commercialized to the point that it should be eliminated from an itinerary - - not sure if I was there long enough to tell for sure, but other posts seem to support this view as well. Even Rick Steves says in his book (my own paraphrase here) "everyone keeps searching for a 'less-touristy' Rothenburg o.d.T. - - and none of the other candidates is really quite up to the same level of fascinating medieval walled old German towns - - so deal with all the tourists and get over it!" <BR>. <BR>Final note: I also enjoyed a quick visit at Planet Internet (yes, yes, alright - - so a cybercafe is not exactly "medieval") and found it to be a good value with good hardware and staff. <BR>. <BR>Best wishes, <BR>. <BR>Rex