In any space dedicated to gastronomy in the city of Würzburg, two things are taken very seriously: ambiance and drink. Any self-respecting bar or restaurant takes very seriously the space in which it is inserted along with its decor, as well as its drinks menu, dedicated to the Franconian region.
For those who, like me, intensely enjoy the gastronomic and ethylic experiences that a city reserves, I start with the fact that the city of Würzburg, located in the Franconia region, has the largest concentration of vineyards within the city limits in all of Europe.
Regardless of your personal taste regarding the wine culture, it is undisputed how much Germany’s countryside reveals vineyards of extreme organization and beauty. In Rothenburg op der Tauber, one of the most attractive places to go for a walk - or do sports such as hiking, jogging, cycling - is the Tauber Valley.
Rothenburg op der Tauber is one of the main cities of Germany's famous and beautiful Romantic Route. The 410-kilometer route can be explored in two ways: starting in Würzburg (heading south) or Fussen (crossing the country towards the north). In both ways, Rothenburg op der Tauber is a must pass.
Traveling by car brings a kind of freedom and practicality that other means of transportation do not offer. That’s because you or your companion can drive and, whatever the route, you are automatically allowed to stop, anytime, as often as you like, and wherever you want. Or to take a detour.
The city of Assmanshauen is so tiny that there is no driving force to keep restaurants running independently. That is, almost all restaurants belong to hotels. On the other hand, Rüdesheim am Rhein is more touristy, and it offers more restaurants that are not necessarily installed in hotels. I particularly point out two great places to eat.
Any restaurant in the region has a selection of schnitzel and a variety of pork dishes - German food is largely based on traditional red meat dishes. In addition to animal protein – be it for vegetarians or for those who simply want a red meat variation -, one of the recipes that delighted me most is the famous Flammkuchen.
Whenever I close my eyes, I can still feel the sensation produced by the landscape around the River Rhine when I visited tiny Assmanshausen am Rhein. It is almost a village, right beside the town of Rüdesheim am Rein, but hardly ever considered in most sightseeing tours. The entire town is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
To understand the history and culture of Germany and fall in love with an itinerary made of landscapes, culinary flavors and unforgettable artistic expressions, start at Leipzig. No other city represents Germany as well as this one, which is currently the fastest growing and most prosperous in the country.