The spring of marked our first visit to picturesque Weimar, in the German state of Thuringia. The tone of the city was perfect! Lively, casual, and moderate in pace, throughout; there was no lack of places to eat, shops to browse; more than a dozen museums to visit, and loads of other daytime and evening activities.
Many events were outdoors and free, i. And I was impressed by the demographic mix everywhere we went: teenagers, young adults, seniors and children, all mingling together at these different venues. And they came by foot, or on bicycles—singles, couples, families, tour groups! Enjoyed our time there so much the first time, subsequent trips followed, in and Each trip, we arrived by train from disappointingly dismal Frankfurt—our point of entry to Europe, because we like flying on Singapore Airlines—and departed by train, bound for the gloriously beautiful and vital Prague.
Soon after our spring arrival in Weimar, while out walking and exploring the neighborhood around our hotel, we discovered La Tarte. Hungry, and looking for a place to have dinner, we walked inside. Now at another location, back in , this small French bistro was connected to the Neues Museum , and as luck would have it, there was an event taking place next door at the museum, so that evening, the restaurant was reserved for museum guests only.
After a glance at their menu, which made us eager to return, a reservation was made for the following night. The dining experience did not disappoint. A table side chat with the German owner, revealed the menu items—country-French—were the creations of his French-born wife. On the outskirts of Weimar, and only a 15 to 20 minute ride by city bus, lies the Buchenwald Memorial. Being that close, it was a must visit!
Weimar, indeed a picturesque and pristine city, celebrates at every turn, two of the greats of German literature, poets Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. The chilling feeling began within minutes of leaving the stop in front of the Weimar Railway Station , and continued on the road which soon became desolate, and all one saw was a deep forest of tall, almost threadbare trees.
