Würzburg – Rothenburg

26 June

Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”, Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards.

Rothenburg
View from Rothenburg castle

08:30 – The ship stopped briefly at Wurzburg’s industrial port to let passengers off, then moved to the main port to collect us later in the day.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

08:30 – 15:00 – 38 passengers took the optional tour to see Rothenburg after breakfast. We were among them. This was the prettiest town so far on our journey. It didn’t see much damage in WW2, so it presents a rare opportunity to see what the country looked like before that war.

Rothenburg
Iconic scene used in jigsaw puzzles – Plönlein with Kobolzeller Steige and Spitalgasse
Rothenburg town hall
Rothenburg town hall (Rathaus)

Several Christmas shops sell everything you need to trim your Christmas tree and decorate your home for the festive season.

Christmas shops
A Christmas shop window

Würzburg

08:45 – The other passengers visited the Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They noted the palace’s unique staircase, elaborate 18th-century frescoes and the fantastic 3-dimensional stucco work.

They accompanied their guides for a walking tour of Würzburg – 50 minutes. There was free time until 10:45, when they returned to the ship.

Fortress Marienberg
Fortress Marienberg, Wurzburg

15:15 – The ship left for Bamberg.

18:45 – Port Talk

19:00 – Dinner

21:00 – Disco night (we gave it a miss).


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