“Well yes, that’s what they are all looking for ..!”, Sabine Lampe laughs, welcoming me to the hotel reception of the Hotel Residence Bremen. I look at her somewhat sheepishly, well aware that most of us newcomers to Bremen are asking the very same question, reminiscing about a famous Brother Grimm childhood fairy tale: “And where exactly are they now, the Town Musicians of Bremen?!?”
They tell you where exactly the Town Musicians of Bremen are located in the city of Bremen. But do look twice for spotting them …
… it is a little bit tricky, I must say. But let us start right from the beginning: I have recently travelled to Bremen, the “village with a tram”, after a three-hour flight journey from Vienna via Stuttgart. Easy, if you think of the distance: Well over 1.000 kilometres. Of course, the German language has changed quite a bit all the way up to here, and I muse over the local dialect words: Is this plattdeutsch now? Some kind of local Bremen dialect? And will I ever get the Northern Germans and all their particular demeanour and dialects ..? Well. Whatever. Back to the Town Musicians of Bremen. Travelling further to the North Sea the following morning, I must make a point of checking for them on my stopover in Bremen – despite my already grumbling belly, and wasn’t I going to ask Mrs Lampe for tips about restaurants ..?
Walking through the old town, which the locals call “muckelig” (a cute local term for cosy, comfy), I learn that once you reach the Town Musicians of Bremen, you should hug the front legs of the donkey on which the rest of them stand (the dog, the cat and the rooster). Then, you can make a wish. All good then. But where are they now?
“The Town Musicians of Bremen are right here. Come on, I’ll show you …”
… a lady tells me in broad Swiss German right on what looks like one of the main squares of town. And yes, here they are. But alas, I would never have found them on my own! In a city I “knew” since I was little, because of reading and re-reading The Town Musicians of Bremen, a city whose squares would offer a lot of space and freedom for large monuments, a city where even the statues of shepherds and their dog and pigs are larger … the cute little animal scaffolding of the four friends happens to be a miniature replica next to the town hall’s main gate. “Oooh, they are so small”, I squeal with delight, promptly queuing up for touching the donkey’s front legs. Ahead of me is a group led by a historic night watchman, imposing authority and commanding respect. Finally, after waiting patiently for the Japanese, the Spanish and the Swiss to have their photos taken, it is my turn: To happily relive my childhood memories of reading (and loving) the Brother Grimm fairy tale of the Town Musicians of Bremen.
Off into Bremen! The statues of the shepherd and his animals …
… are way larger than the four friends, the donkey, the dog, the cat and the rooster : The one and only, Town Musicians of Bremen.
I don’t mind at all: What a feeling to embrace them, finally !!
One by one, I start liking Bremen. A lot. What a nice little town … And yes, if I had the time (and preparation), I would have liked to join one of these night watchmen tours …
… eventually, also meeting the real musicians of Bremen …
… enjoying “music for the senses”, finally sitting down at the Domshof square of Bremen, at the restaurant “Dein Alex”.
Bremen also has a typical windmill …
… and is a perfectly green city …
… beautiful for the couples.!
If you are looking for somewhere to stay, I can only recommend you Hotel Residence Bremen.
Only a couple of minutes walking from the main station, but located in a quiet street, it offers one thing above all: A quaint historic ambiance paired with a warm welcome by each and everyone of the staff. I immediately feel welcome here, and even have my picture taken together with the boss of the house, Ulrich Straten: “We will continue adding some rooms here”, he smiles, pointing to the high ceilings and expanse at the back of the historical manor house. “Fortunately for us, there is both room and demand here.”
Good morning from the Hotel Residence Bremen: Looking at the colours of this breakfast, I get hungry again …
… thank you so much for the nice welcome, dear Ulrich Straten and team!
First though, I’m off to Germany’s beautiful North Coast: “Für Sonnenpaddler”, for the sunny spirits, this sun screen tells me.
Check out my travel video to the North Sea as well as Lüneburg Heath Nature Park, whisking you away and right into the beautiful natural landscapes of Germany:
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/9PRQOCHAyU4″ width=”800″]
Disclaimer: I have been invited by the German National Tourist Board to ” #EnjoyGermanNature ” on this nature trip to Lower Saxony. All opinions are my own.