On tour with a friend and his luxury van

Heidelberg is only one of many possible destinations, but in case of a tour with "a friend in Heidelberg" almost a must. Heidelberg is my hometown and I not only know the city like the back of my hand but also its vicinity. The Heidelberg Castle and the world-famous historic old town are a must see. However, off the beaten track there is much more to discover.

The castle fortress of Dilsberg, one of many possible destinations on our journey, rises proudly above Neckargemünd on the mountain of the same name. The castle once belonged to the Counts Palatine of the Rhine and fulfilled a military function. Today, the stair tower in the ruins offers a fantastic view over the Neckar Valley and Odenwald.

Hirschhorn, one of many possible destinations of our journey, is also called the pearl of the Neckar valley. In the summer of 1878 Mark Twain visited Hirschhorn and dedicated a chapter in his book "A Tramp Abroad" to the city. Among the sights of Hirschhorn are the medieval castle as well as the historic old town with its numerous old half-timbered houses. On our way back we will stop to see the ruined castle of Dilsberg which is not only a marvel of medieval architecture but one also known for a stunning view of the Neckar river valley.

The Schwetzingen Palace is one of many possible destinations of our journey. Worth seeing is the 18th century castle garden.

The Speyer Cathedral, one of many possible destinations of our journey, is the largest surviving Romanesque church in the world. Four emperors, three empresses and kings from the houses of Habsburg, Staufen and Nassau are buried here. The cathedral is thus the most important burial site of the Middle Ages on German soil.

Deidesheim, one of many possible destinations on our trip, is located on the German Wine Route, one of the oldest tourist routes in Germany. Picturesque villages and renowned wineries with excellent restaurants can be found along this road.

The old town of Heppenheim, one of many possible destinations of our journey, is characterized by old half-timbered houses and offers a picturesque old town center, a location which in recent years has established itself as a popular movie backdrop for the Bollywood film industry. The 11th century castle of Starkenburg on the mountain opposite the old town is not only worth seeing but also worth a visit.

Rothenburg, one of many possible destinations of our journey, is a world-famous tourist attraction with a largely preserved medieval old town. The historic town center is surrounded by a impressive town fortification and embedded in the largely unobstructed landscape of the Tauber river valley.

Strasbourg, one of many possible destinations of our journey, has a well-preserved historical old town, classified a World Heritage Site since 1988. The famous sandstone gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame with its famous astronomical clock is the city's landmark. In the streets and squares surrounding the cathedral you will find a medieval cityscape of Rhineland black and white timber-framed buildings. Another landmark worth visiting is the district of La Petite France with its canals and narrow alleys.

The Mercedes-Benz Museum, just one of many possible destinations of our journey. The website describes absolutely aptly what the visitor can expect: The museum relates its history and tells its stories, bringing both alive by placing them in the context of technology, day-to-day life, social history and popular culture. More than 160 vehicles of all types are the main protagonists. They range from some of the oldest automobiles ever built to legendary racing cars and futuristic research vehicles. Together with other exhibits, they form the centerpiece of the permanent exhibition covering a total of 16,500 square meters in twelve rooms. This unparalleled world can be discovered on two tours that follow a “Legend” and “Collection” narrative.