Speyer, Germany

Panoramic Heidelberg & Lunch with University Students

Germany’s Oldest University Town and Its Students See the castle and old medieval town so steeped in romance that they stood at the center of the German Romantic movement. Join your guide for a drive to Heidelberg, several miles up the Neckar River. You will ascend to the majestic Heidelberg Castle, a treasure trove of striking Renaissance-era buildings. Originally built during the early 13th century, it was the residence of the Palatinate monarchy through the 18th century. Descend into the Altstadt, or Old Town, for a walking tour toward the turreted Heidelberg University. Founded in 1386, it is Germany’s oldest. You can see the school’s tower in which unruly boys were incarcerated for misdeeds, and the Red Ox tavern in which they boasted to their mates about their imprisonment. You will pause to share a special lunch with a group of modern-day students and hear their views on attending Germany’s oldest university. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.