We got off the train from Prague in Schwandorf Germany where we had a car rental awaiting us the next day. Caught a taxi from the train station to the hotel and asked the hotel reception where we could get a bite to eat. He sent us walking into town which was only ten minutes along the river road. Saw the coolest hobbit doors on the way.

Took this picture the next day. They used these cellars as shelters during the war. Going to the place the hotel directed us to got us right in the middle of the local Christmas Market. It was opening day so they had a parade of angels, Kris Kringle, wise men, and horses, goats, and sheep, and lots of kids.

After the singing and speeches we found some Bratwurst sausage, Glühwein, as mulled wine is known in Germany, Spätzle (looks like macaroni and cheese), and a waffle with powdered sugar and jams. So much for that dinner place. Never made it.

The next day I walked across town, yes the entire town, to the car rental place and got our four door stick shift Opel. Picked up Marna and Joyce and off we went through Germany to start our tour of the Romantic Road or Romantische Straße. We drove to the town of Wurzburg and learned that our GPS updates just slow enough to make us guess which exit to take on any given roundabout.

The views from the top of the castle walls were spectacular. It is really fun walking around all these castles with moats, walls, towers, and gates since Marna is on book three of Game of Thrones and I have just finished reading it for the second time and we are all watching GoT on the computer since we have the downloads (Thanks KN!). We have also seen knights armor and weapons, carriages, dresses and many things reminding us of the book.

The towns have been incredible. I think the best part is that it is winter and no one but locals are here. Everyplace we have been to has had only locals. The hotels, the markets, the resturants have all been locals and us. No crowds. Twice now we have gone to resturants without reservations despite the fact that TripAdvisor says you have to have them to get in. It must be for the tourist season (not winter).

The fields have lots of little vineyards patch-working the horizon. Every town has at least one square with a fountain. This one was lit up nicely. It was also how I remembered where I parked the car that night. We ate at La Flamme – Flammkuchen aller Art. We only knew it was rated high on TripAdvisor and was close. They make something like a super light pizza. We ordered two types, then another, and another. It was really good. Dessert was the flaming apples below!