Frankfurt, Germany at Christmas

15 Dec. Travel Day 1
It started off smooth as can be. We packed the car, drove to Pomigliano to a friend's house, Gennaro took us the rest of the way to the Capodocchino Airport in Naples. No traffic, no lines at the counter, checked the bags and got through security in a breeze. About a hour wait now at the gate.

Baba for breakfast -- it doesn't get any better than this!

 When you sit for an hour in the airport you get to see all kinds of bad fashion.

Really baggy pants (almost off the butt) and bright red Nikes! Whew!

A delay for Munich, then another hour delay in Munich. Might as well celebrate our first time on Germany soil. So we headed for the nearby eatery to wait it out.

For my sister who was in the newspaper business, this is the widest  paper I have every seen!

Checking out the German beer and pretzels

End of the day, we made it to Frankfurt, then no driver so took a cab to the hotel Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof in the old part of the city. It is great.

Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof

Dramatic front of the hotel

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Reception

Tired feet from a day of travel

Is it riposo time?

16 Dec. 2012 Day 2
It was so luxurious to sleep in and spend a relaxing morning drinking our coffee! We ate a buffet breakfast at the hotel which was really good. Then we wandered toward the Christmas market. The market is huge, going for several city blocks.

Many children's rides are available at the market

Food booths galore!

We spent 4 hrs. walking the market and didn't even see half of it! The smells are wonderful! All kinds of things are cooking there, from the hot mulled cider to the roasted sausages, popcorn and candies. A person could literally eat all day long walking among the different booths.

We bought presents for some of the family before our feet and knees got tired. Later we went back for dinner and ate weiner schnitzel, which is a breaded slice of eat cutlet, with fried potatoes and a side salad. It was great!

Beautiful candles in every shape and size

A variety of sausages and meats grilling over the open wood fire

17 Dec. 2012 Day 3
Rothenberg

This is a Medieval era walled city, spared from the bombing of WWII because it held no industry or strategic significance. While it is a bit on the touristy side, still much of the atmosphere is preserved. We took a day trip -- two hours drive each way from Frankfurt.

The streets are rough cobblestone, even more treacherous than Napoli! Cars are forbidden on many of the streets. If you removed the cars and electrical lines from the scene, you would be stepping back in time more than 500 years.

Situated on top of a hill, this was the perfect location for defending a city. With perfect views all the way around enemies can be spotted a long way off.

The safest gate to the city at one time had a drawbridge

Part of the city wall

From inside the wall were places where defenders could fire on the enemy. The view from the city is spectacular.

The wall wraps the city

Steps up the inside of the wall

Fire from the cutouts on the right

View of the valley

Scenic view of the valley, river and part of the city top left

We imagine in the spring and summer this is a beautiful place, lots of trees, rolling soft hills and flowers everywhere.

The streets and buildings are very tidy and essentially true to the period. Originally built in 1310, it was expanded and new buildings erected in the 1500s.

Typical wine bottles of the Franconia region

Typical street

Decorated for Christmas

Many buildings are dated

Important clock tower by the city square; the two figures open on the hour

Supplied by its own water well in the city

The Christmas market was full of good things to eat and souvenirs. We ate a full German lunch at the Eisenhut Hotel and enjoyed a walk around town.

Eisenhut Hotel winter garden for lunch

Also noteworthy is St. Jakob's Lutheran church. Named after St. James, it was constructed by a master wood carver  who designed the intricate alter, the chancel pews.

Alter of St. Jakob's

Close up of the alter