Frustrated I walked back all the way - I really wanted to spend some time in the castle.
Then the beautiful downtown area of Gotha cheered me up again. I forgot about the missed visit of the castle, the lost luggage with important business documents and computer hardware by the airline and enjoyed the sights.
I remembered that guided walking and bicycling tours are offered and even tours in horse drawn coaches. I should have called the tourist information and booked one of those. On the other hand with all the rich food which I had, exercises were mandatory.
Back in Canada, I saw the rewards - I had lost at least five pounds during this trip!

It was recommended to me to listen there to one of the concerts which must be an unforgettable experience because of the excellent acoustic.
Unfortunately none was scheduled for the time when I was in Gotha. I also missed a service.
Please plan your trip to Thuringia carefully. We can only give you a brief overview what to see, to do and to experience.
It will never be boring. Even on rainy days you can have a full program, but don't forget a dictionary!
Even in tourist offices they may not speak English which is a shame. In Jamaica they had a German speaking person in the resort where I stayed and even at the "hot springs" in the Indonesian jungle, I got a warm Coke served by a German speaking native.

Naturally, Gotha is also a great place for people who are "born to shop", like my wife Elizabeth. She can spend hours by going in each store with clothing, gifts, perfumes, jewelry and so on and on.
I only decided to get a nice haircut. Talking to the girl I got confirmed again that many Thuringians do not understand the English advertising of the companies they work for. Why do they do this? Are they ashamed to be German? My saying to such people is: "I am proud to be a Kraut". But not any longer - now I got my Canadian citizenship.
However, everybody was very friendly and helpful and that is very important when you come as a tourist.