Germany's Romantic Road

Augsburg is alive and electric, an exciting picture of a modern city. Here we were served an Italian meal of spicy penné on sidewalk tables by the Al Pachino Cafe, where the waiters wear aprons which read in English "Tip is not the name of a town in China!". The docent in the museum across the street pointed out that they remained open in the winter when temperatures reached "twenty degrees below zero!" and they have no heat. (-20°C is about -4°F; still cold!). And once upon a time, a long, long time ago, the richest man in the world lived here. He was a Fugger, named Jacob Fugger, and if he were alive still today, and his fortune was still intact. he would still be the richest Fugger in the world .

Kaufbeuren is a small village in southern Bavaria. Here is a picture of a perfect German Inn: a gasthof from the years that used to be - a pub of exuberance filled again each night anew with lore and great tales of fun and laughter and music - Michael Martin's Gasthof Engel is not far from Munchen, and from the private balcony in your room under the great horse-chestnut tree, you will find a faraway view of the Alps. The main reason to stop here however, is a fabulous and incredible spaetzel made with that special cheese that comes only from Bavaria, all that with breaded and fried pork and served with bread and beer that America will never know.

© John Womack, All Rights Reserved