Dirndl and Lederhosen, Neuschwanstein, Pretzel and Beer, Humpa-Music and – Rothenburg are the stereotypes most Americans envision about Germany. The Alps, Jodelmusic, cuckoo clock, sauerkraut and cobblestone streets, flower boxes on windows with colorful geraniums, sausages with mustard and Christkindlmarkets. All this is Germany and all this can be found in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (meaning at the Tauber River).

Ted and I visited Rothenburg and it was a little like visiting Disneyland. 90% American tourist, 10% Asians and I. It felt like I was the only German speaking person there. In every store or restaurant people spoke English, immediately explaining the tax free shopping options and the shipping rates to the US. We didn’t even ask, we just looked at the walls full of cuckoo clocks and Christmas decorations. And since Germany means Christmas, there are at least 7 (!) Christmas stores + a Christmas museum in town = Christmas overload!!!

But don’t get me wrong: Rothenburg is nice, it’s quaint, romantic and nostalgic. It just went a little overboard, that’s all!