Walking tour
Season: Evenings, most of the yearRothenburg night watchman tour
- Lantern-lit lanes and the life of a medieval town watchman
- Stories of plague, war and the famous Master Draught
The essentials
| Location | Tauber valley, Main-Tauber district, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
|---|---|
| Population | About 7,500 |
| Nearest towns | Bad Mergentheim 11 km, Rothenburg 30 km, Würzburg 45 km |
| Time zone | Central European Time (UTC+1), summer time UTC+2 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Airports | Nuremberg (NUE), Stuttgart (STR) and Frankfurt (FRA) |
| Plugs | Types C and F, 230 volts |
| Emergency number | 112 |
When to visit
The Tauber valley has warm summers and cold winters. May to October is the main season, for the palace garden, cycling and wine.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to May | Fresh and green, with blossom and decorated Easter fountains in many towns. Some sights open for the season around Easter. |
| June to August | Warm days, long evenings, the garden in full flower, wine festivals, open-air theatre and music. |
| September and October | The grape harvest, new wine and onion tart, golden vineyards and quieter towns. A lovely time to visit. |
| November to February | Cold and often grey, with snow some years. Christmas markets in December; some sights have shorter hours. |
Weather and what to wear
Summer days are often 25 °C or warmer, and winters hover around freezing. Rain is possible at any time of year.
- Comfortable shoes for cobbles and gravel garden paths
- A light rain jacket at any time of year
- Layers for spring and autumn, when mornings are cool
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for Christmas markets
Festivals and events
- Easter fountains: fountains in towns across the region are decorated with painted eggs and greenery at Easter.
- Opera and concerts at Weikersheim Palace: in summer; check the programme of the music academy at the palace.
- The Master Draught in Rothenburg: a historical festival with costumes and plays, usually at Whitsun.
- Summer theatre in Röttingen: open-air plays and musicals at Brattenstein Castle.
- Wine festivals: in towns and villages along the Tauber and in Würzburg in summer and autumn.
- Christmas markets: in Rothenburg, Würzburg, Bad Mergentheim and Nuremberg in December.
Money and costs
The Tauber valley is good value compared with big cities. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, but carry cash for cafés, bakeries, wine taverns and small shops. Service is included in restaurants; most people round up or add a small tip.
Safety and health
- Safety: Weikersheim and the valley are very safe. Take normal care with bags in crowds in Rothenburg and at Christmas markets.
- Cycling: wear a helmet, and watch for farm vehicles on shared roads.
- Ticks: check for ticks after walks in long grass and woods, and ask your doctor about tick-borne disease if you plan a lot of hiking.
- Summer heat: carry water on long rides and walks.
Etiquette
- Greet people with “Guten Tag” or “Grüß Gott” when you enter a shop or restaurant.
- Shops close on Sundays, and Sundays are quiet days: avoid noisy work or activities.
- Return bottles with a deposit (Pfand) to the machines in supermarkets.
- Many people speak English, but a few words of German are appreciated.
