Rothenburg ob der Tauber Shopping

I found this awesome jewelry shop at the top of the hill from the market place on the left hand corner that we turned into to go to the beer garden.

I bought a Swarovski necklass and crystal frog and also a fob watch for Howies dad. I found this place to be quite cheap so I recommend you have a look as well.

Welcome to Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas shop - where it's Christmas every day of the year. Actually, unless you're a real Christmas junkie (guilty as charged!), it has a slightly sinister tone to it, like Narnia under the White Witch, where it was always winter, but never got around to being Christmas ... but I digress ...

Although it sounds like kiddy heaven, it's quite a grown up shop, which specialises in ever conceivable manner of Christmas decoration. However, this is no WalMart plastic extravaganza: Käthe's merchanise is upmarket, high quality stuff, with a price tag to match!

As you might expect, the stars of the show are the traditional handmade wooden decorations - the crib sets in particular are breathtakingly ornate and mindblowingly expensive, but the logic here is that you're buying an heirloom that will be handed down over generations. If you do decide to invest, spare a thought for your luggage allowance, as these things are heavy: but of course for Käthe's well trained staff, arranging international shipment is an everyday occurence!

This flagship store in Rothenberg - whose slightly kitsch atmosphere has to make it the perfect location for a Christmas shop - has been so successful that there are now a chain of Käthe Wohlfahrts.

Even if you only buy the smallest bauble, it will be a wonderful souvenir of your time here. In our case, we bought the star below, which has particuar significance for us, as this was the first Christmas decoration that we ever bought together, on the trip that we got engaged.

This is weird. I can’t describe it any other way.

It’s a Christmas shop. It sells Christmas stuff all year. I’d never heard of such a thing.

I’m told it’s very famous. Certainly it makes an impression. Have to confess I’m in the “Christmas belongs to December” crowd on a good day. Hate it with a vengeance on a bad day.

So, if you want to buy Christmas decorations or presents all year round, this is ideal for you!

My wallet was not disturbed.

What to buy: Christmas stuff, if you really must.

What to pay: Not sure. I denied myself.

1 more image

This shop sells the most fascinating array of suits of armour and all things medieval. More of a boy's shop than a girl's shop I would think, however, they do have ladies headgear.

What to buy: Full size suit of armour and all manner and means of toys depicting medieval days of knights in shiny armour.

What to pay: Sorry, I had no intention of buying anything so I didn't find out how the stock was priced.

2 more images

This shop is right in the thick of things and you can't miss it because it has a larger than life bear waiting at the front door to wecome you.

What to buy: Inside you will find more teddy bears than you could ever imagine. All shapes and all sizes. there are also other souvenir type things on sale.

What to pay: You could possibly pick up a small bear for a few euro or if you've got money to burn and love teddy bears, I guess the sky would be the limit.

4 more images

The name Kaethe Wohlfahrt is extremely well known in many parts of Europe but none more so than in Germany and Rothenburg in particular. The majority of gift shops in Rothenburg bear the name of Kaethe Wohlfahrt and her Christmas Museum is an absolute delight.

What to buy: I think that the dolls are my favourite in all of these shops. There are so many different varieties and the most outstanding feature of so many of them is the eyes. You would swear they were human.

What to pay: Not as much as you may think. Not cheap mind you, but still affordable.

1 more image

It is often said that presentation is everything and with this particular emporium of fine food, the saying is true. this is the finest food presentation I have ever seen, bar none and I mean that. It would be impossible to walk past without stopping to look at the very least.

What to buy: I think I could go wild just on the sausages.

What to pay: I wouldn't think that the fare would be very cheap, but then I wouldn't know being from another country.

3 more images

One of Germany's oldest pharmacies is the MARIEN-APOTHEKE located in the Marktplatz. This wonderful half-timbered structure, one of Rothenburg's most beautiful patrician houses, is the JAGSTHEIMER HOUSE, built in 1488 for Mayor Jagstheimer and features a picturesque oriel window under which is a statue of Mary and Child.

They carry a variety of pharmacy products and cosmetics.