European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 24, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The romantic Road the Road is not always romantic but it s full of Charm wet Ryburg Aschaffenbur. Mesh Lebrunn i Werthem Tauber Bischofsheim Miltenberg bad Mergentheim Cre Lingen Rothenburg of Der Tauber Feuchtwanger Dunke Buhl  Bamberg Nornberg Harburg Palace Donau Forth Ulm Landsberg am Lech the romantic Road Scho Gaui Tosk Archt fasten  Sis piter pm Schloss Johannesburg offers an impressive View of the main River. Is Michael Abrams by Ron Jensen Niernberg Bureau the romantic Road is As Good a name As any for the twisting route that slips quietly through Woodlands and follows the curves of Rivers As it snakes from Aschaffenbur in Northern Bavaria to fussed near the austrian Border. It is a Road of Charm and pleasant surprises lonely in the Winter when the summer Parade of tourists from around the world has withered. During that High season to can be frustrating As car after car moves in a crowded procession from the half timbered houses of Miltenberg to the medieval Walls of Rothenburg of Der Tauber to the fairy tale castles that sprang from the imagination of Ludwill. .,.-   " despite the age of Many of the sights along it the romantic Road is a fairly recent concept. Germany was attempting to rebuild its tourist Industry in the Wake of world War. When the idea of packaging a number of sights into one excursion was born. It was in 1 950 that the first tourists began to Trace the route that has since been known As the romantic Road and is one of Europe s most travelled routes. Organized Tours Start in the South and move North or in the North and move South. Some Start at any Point along the Way and can move up and Down. There is no shortage of places to visit. We will begin however in the North where Schloss Johannesburg in Aschaffenbur squats regally above the main River. And we will end in the High Meadows around fussed where Germany s most famous Castle lies. In Between we will hit most but not All of the romantic Road s worthy  a lunch bring the fuel coupons. Don t forget the map. Entering Aschaffenbur is far from romantic. Many factories surround the City s old Center. But follow your Eye to Schloss Johannesburg. It s easy to spot on the Bluff above the River. The Castle was built Between 1 605 and 161 5. It is a muscular place guarded on All four Corners by massive towers. The Castle museum inside gives a Good history of the town. The City s Art museum is also in the Castle. But most impressive is the View from the Castle grounds Down to the River a scene that changes with the continued on Page 4 november 24, 1994 stripes Magazine