A piece I wrote about Germany...

Over Summer I had time so I started to do a bit of writing...though clearly not on this blog! I chatted with the editors of the Australian Times recently and was offered a post writing as their 'Secret Teacher'; the illustrious role of remaining unnamed on your weekly articles, fessing up regularly about what life in London schools is 'really' like. The offer was tempting as I have so many good stories to tell, and had I stayed in one of my previous schools I would definitely have taken it on, but I love my new job and would do nothing to jeopardise it...plus kids at my school never do anything close to what might happen in a 'normal' London school! So, long story short-ish, I've been doing lots of writing lately, and thought I'd post a couple of things here... photos to come later :)

Romantische Strasse – Germany’s Romantic Road
Allie Baker

In selecting a place for our recent Summer break, my husband and I had one main goal – to ‘do’ a bit of Europe, but to get out of the cities. European cities offer amazing sights, incredible one-off experiences and excellent nightlife, but the peak of tourist season in a major European city? Not my cup of tea. Many friends had recommended Germany, and a further knowledgeable friend mentioned ‘Romantische Strasse’, one of Germany’s most famous and, according to several brochures ‘most beloved’ touring routes.

The ‘Romantic Road’ is a scenic drive through parts of Bavaria and various Medieval towns and villages throughout Germany, linking up the two major cities of Frankfurt and Munich. The route usually begins in Frankfurt, but my husband and I began our trip in Munich, heading South toward the alps, then looping up and heading to Frankfurt. Why? Cheap flights! How? Rental car. The rental car brought us amazing freedom and flexibility, and for us, made the ‘Romantic Road’ our own.

Our trip began early on Friday morning, leaving Munich airport in our rental car armed with a large road map of Germany and some trepidation. Myself having never read a foreign road map and my husband having never negotiated a left hand drive/right side of the road, we were in for early excitement and shall we say, “domestic unrest”. Our first challenge was to head in the correct direction, and after trying hubby’s enlightened suggestion to ‘follow the signs to Munchen’ for the whole day, based simply on the fact that we knew it meant Munich, we settled instead for helpful directions from a petrol station attendant, and we were off!

DAY 1
Our first stop was Fussen, an historic village nestled in the Bavarian Alps which is most famous for the 19th century Neuschwanstein Castle. This castle is perhaps better known as ‘Disney Castle’ and is a popular tourist destination in its own right. It’s an easy day trip from Munich and is most renowned because of its dramatic beauty and its ‘life imitates art imitates life’ story. The story goes that the palace was originally intended as the home for a reclusive King, who designed its interior with images reminiscent of fairytales and fables, such was his love for these stories. The castle is incredibly picturesque and like a fairytale castle that it became the inspiration for Disney’s famous ‘Sleeping Beauty’ castle. Fussen is a lovely village but as someone who loves to stay in more ‘out of the way’ places, I had chosen nearby Pfronten. In Winter, a bustling snowfield base, Pfronten in Summer is spectacularly beautiful and incredibly secluded. It was here that we stayed in a lovely Guesthouse and sampled a delicious ‘Gasthof’ meal. Gasthofs are never far away in Germany and offer hearty, traditional meals heavy on meat and potatoes and German hospitality, often served up by costumed waitresses. They make for a traditional and delicious experience.

DAY 2
Our second day of touring taught us that it is often best to choose places that aren’t top of everyone’s tourist to-do list. The small medieval towns of Landsberg and Donauworth were incredible, whilst the more famous, and significantly larger Augsburg was somewhat disappointing. These small towns provide gorgeous streetscapes, the occasional castle perched high on a hill, and always, a clocktower in the town centre. Our custom, when entering any of the towns on our map was always to ‘Head for that clocktower!’ where we inevitably found food and famous sites. Our second night’s stay was in Nordlingen, perhaps the most intriguing and stunning of towns we passed through. Nordlingen is a quaint cobble stoned illage that, when viewed from above, is laid out in an almost perfect circle. Surrounding the village is the drawcard for most tourists, a still complete city wall, which tourists can walk along for stunning views and a truly medieval experience.

DAY 3
Our third day of driving led us through the quaint village of Dinkelsbuhl, the first town to offer Schneeballen, tennis ball sized clumps made of densely wrapped pastry not unlike Italy’s Crostoli biscuits, and dusted in cinnamon and sugar, a delicacy of the area. This small village is central to the Romantic Road, and home to the ‘Romantic Road Association’. For this reason, alongwith the dramatic Medieval church that stands at its town centre, it is a popular and busy stop on the road. From Dinkelsbuhl we headed to perhaps the most famous town en route; Rothenburg Ob der Tauber, renowned for its beautifully restored and maintained buildings, stunning streetscapes, and limitless, rambling cobblestoned streets and alleys. It is not unlike a kind of Venice, without, of course, the water. Here you’ll find ample shopping opportunities as well as quaint restaurants and beer houses, walking tours and many, many tourists! The quieter town of Colmburg and its famous Castle Hotel ‘Burg Colmberg’ was our resting place for the night, offering a truly medieval experience, minus the pomp and tackiness. The hotel has beautifully appointed rooms, a buffet breakfast more generous than others encountered in Europe, and with its quaint décor and attention to detail, is an unparalleled and reasonably priced once in a lifetime experience.

DAY 4
The roads leading from Rothenburg towards Frankfurt are some of the most picturesque in the world. Endless rolling green hills, and further North, the wooded forests give way to the vines of the wine region. Rothenburg is a common day trip from Frankfurt and is usually visited via the historic city of Wurzburg, which lies in the centre of Germany’s wine region. This is where the Romantic Road crosses with other popular tourist routes including ‘The Wine Road’ and ‘The Castle Road’. Unfortunately for us, major roadworks meant we, among many others, missed out on this part of the road. For me, it means another opportunity to visit this stunning part of the world, for my husband, another opportunity to drive on Germany’s famous, slick roads!

For Further information on Germany’s Romantic Road see:
http://www.romanticroad.com/
https://www.romantischestrasse.de/?lang=uk

For information on Burg Colmberg:
http://www.burg-colmberg.de/