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 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.

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 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.

The Abbey of Lorsch, one of many possible destinations of our journey, is one of the most famous abbeys of the Carolingian Empire. Even in its ruined state, its remains are among the most important pre-Romanesque-Carolingian style buildings in Germany and is a fundamental example for early medieval German history. In 1991 the ruined abbey was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city of Worms, one of many possible destinations of our journey, the home of Kriemhild, Siegfried, Hagen, and the other famous characters of the 13th century poem The Nibelungenlied! You will visit the Cathedral St. Peter where Queen Kriemhild and Queen Brunhilde quarreled over Siegfried the dragon slayer and where there is a statue of Hagen von Tronje throwing the treasure of the Nibelungen into the Rhine River.

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.

Jagsthausen, one of many possible destinations of our journey, was already settled by the Romans in 160 AD. The Götzenburg and the White Castle offer the perfect backdrop for a rest on the way to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

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.

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.