Visit to Nuremberg with Erlangen Rotary

A group of 10 representing York Rotary (7 members and 3 partners) have visited Nuremberg to meet members of Erlangen Rotary as part of our exchange programme with Erlangen.

The visit was from the 22nd to 25th May, though most of us arrived on the 21st May.  The group travelled by a variety of routes, plane, car and train.

Thursday - The visit started on the Thursday evening with a welcome meal at the Alte K uche which is a typical German beer kellar. We enjoyed local food, wine and beer served from a beer tower.  We had welcomes from Wilfried and Gerhart of Erlangen Rotary and President Mike responded in German, with written English translations for the York Rotary members.

Beer tower being demonstrated by Wilfried

Friday – We spent the day on cultural activities, in the morning with guided tours through Nuremberg starting at the castle view point then visiting many areas of Nuremberg looking at many very interesting historical buildings.

After the morning visit and a lunch we were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the Opera House and state theatre.  The scale of the opera house impressed is greatly from the sheer size of the back stage area, seeing the wardrobe areas and the costume, wig and mask workshops.  The opera employs over 600 staff and it takes about two years to develop a show into production.  We were very privileged to have had this tour.

In the evening we had dinner at a lovely restaurant that spanned over the river Pegnitz.  After dinner both clubs tested their choral skills, that was great fun.

Saturday – We went on a tour by bus through lovely countryside to the village of Volkach where we were met by the town mayor prior to having guided tours around the lovely village.

After the village tour we visited a vineyard where we enjoyed two Franconian wines and heard about wine production, we then headed back to the winery where we tasted four more wines and enjoyed a buffet lunch of local meats, sausages and cheeses.  After lunch we returned to Nuremberg.

In the evening a gala dinner was held at the Alta Post in the village of Kraftshof.  On arrival in the village we were able to enjoy a visit to the local church before enjoying a lovely dinner, followed by speeches.  During the speeches President Mike invited Erlangen Rotary to visit York in 2027.  The evening was rounded off by joining hands and singing Auld Lang Syne, led by Frank Paterson.

Sunday – After a farewell breakfast at the Cloud One hotel were we were staying we all made our way home via our various modes of transport.  Interesting the door to door time by train was 10 hours 30 compared with 10 hours 25 flying to Leeds via Schiphol.

We look forward to the two clubs meeting up again in 2027.

For a more detailed report and photographs click here

David Fotheringham