“What are we going to do for the summer vacation?” – A question that would normally be a non-brainer turned out to be a real challenge in the Covid-19 summer of 2020. It was either stay at home, or travel around a bit in Germany.
“I know just the place,” my friend said. “There’s the cutest little town in South Germany… sometimes it really feels as if time has stopped there. You will love it!”
Weinheim
Thats’s how I discovered beautiful Weinheim and its charming cobblestones streets. They city would make a great backdrop for a medieval movie – only the random cars here and there spoil the illusion.
Once you arrive there, head over to the old town square first and have coffee and croissants, or Tarte Flambée and wine. Lean back and just enjoy the atmosphere. Life doesn’t get any better than that.
Heidelberg
Every time I visit Heidelberg, I immediately start humming the lyrics of “Golden Days”, one of the most memorable songs from Sigmund Romberg and Dorothy Donnelly’s operetta “The Student Prince.” It’s automatic and I just can’t help it.
“Golden days, in the sunshine of a happy youth
Golden days, full of gaiety and full of truth
In our hearts we remember them all else above
Golden days, days of youth and love
How we laughed with the joy that only love can bring
Looking back through memory’s eyes
We will know life has nothing sweeter than its springtime
Golden days, when we’re young
Golden days.”
I was lucky enough to see “The Student Prince” a couple of times at the annual Heidelberg Castle Festival. My student prince was -and always will be- Kevin Tarte. He played this role for over twenty years, and when I am in Heidelberg, I always think about him and his portrayal of Prince Karl-Franz. Ah, the memories!
That’s the thing about Heidelberg. It has its way of sneaking into your heart, making it clench with bittersweet emotions. You are so vividly remembered of the past and tradition here, while the constant chatter of students all around you makes it obvious that time is moving on, whether you want to or not.
My tip: Take your time exploring. The remains of the Castle and its garden are gorgeous, as is the view from the castle hill. For all you shopping lovers out there: Heidelberg’s pedestrian zone is said to be Europe’s longest – 1,6 kilometres of cute little shops, department stores, restaurants and cafés.
Schwetzingen – Castle Garden
Schwetzingen is located right between Mannheim and Heidelberg and well worth a visit. Most tourists come to explore Schwetzingen Palace and its gorgeous garden – a well-known culturural heritage site! Plan to spend at least two hours in the gardens alone because there is a lot to see. There are tons of amazing sculptures as well as epic buildings: The bath house with its own garden, the temple of Apollo, and also a mosque. You won’t know where to look first!
