July 10 
Today was a free day to sleep in before we completed our exploration of Rothenburg.  This most German of the German towns has photo ops everywhere you look. After breakfast some of us went for coffee and apple strudel. 

 

At noon we went on a hike to the Tauber River that flows below Rothenburg. 

I'm sure a lot of shopping was done.  In the evening we had our ice cream and wine.

July 9   This  morning after breakfast we drove to Roedental where we visit ed the Goebel factory shop.  Goebel is home to both Goebel and Hummel figurines .You had enough time to shop to our heart’s content.

Becky, Sandy & I were at the bus on time - the rest of the group was late.

Next we headed southwest for approximately 160 miles to the lovely medieval town of Rothenburg on the Tauber.  Many people consider this town one of the best examples of German culture.  Upon arrival we had a tour of the town.  We then had the  afternoon free to go museum hopping, shopping, taking photos, exploring the ancient walls.  

This evening after dinner at the hotel we had the opportunity to  tour  the town with the Night watchman. 

July 8 
 
After breakfast we started on our walking tour of Erfurt with a tour of the Monastery .  

 We saw the most important sights; Mariendom Cathedral, Severi Church, 

and the well preserved historic downtown with the Kraemer Bridge.


Lunch was at the brat stand

to be followed up with an "Israeli dessert"  Memories of Ken

In the afternoon we headed out to Armstadt, a quaint little town where Back spent some of his young adult years.

We visited the Church of Our Lady and had to wonderful opportunity to hear the organ being played.  Daniel was able to sit down and at least play some scales on the organ.

We  then went to the Bach Church and listened to some recorded Bach being played.

Some took the opportunity to have some free time and others went to see a miniature museum of a collection of wax dolls depicting royal live in the 1700s.