{"id":21089,"date":"2013-12-02T17:15:14","date_gmt":"2013-12-02T17:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livevoyagereports.com\/?page_id=815"},"modified":"2017-07-28T06:58:04","modified_gmt":"2017-07-28T12:58:04","slug":"day-4-heidelberg-rudesheim","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/live-voyage-reports\/viking-baldur-rhine-christmas\/day-4-heidelberg-rudesheim\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 4 – Heidelberg and Rudesheim"},"content":{"rendered":"

Viking Baldur arrives in Heidelberg and Rudesheim<\/h3>\n
\"Viking<\/a>

Viking Baldur illuminated in the early morning hours of December 13 in Mannheim, Germany. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Viking Rivers<\/b>\u2019 Viking Baldur<\/i><\/b> was already in Mannheim, Germany this morning when I woke up, preparatory to another morning of exploration \u2013 this time, in the nearby town of Heidelberg<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The rear section of The Restaurant aboard Viking Baldur, facing aft. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Dear<\/a>

Dear Viking: please sell these wooden fruit bowls in the gift shop! Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Located in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Heidelberg is renowned for its naturally-romantic setting that includes the baroque Old Town area and the alluring Heidelberg Castle. Words like \u2018storybook\u2019 and \u2018fanciful\u2019 come to mind when strolling through the streets. But this city is also renowned as a University town; Heidelberg University was founded in 1386, making it one of the oldest in all of Europe.<\/p>\n

Heidelberg survived World War II largely unscathed, and even went on to become the main base for American operations in Germany. The Americans are still here, but are transitioning operations to Wiesbaden by 2015. The former barracks and infrastructure utilised by the Americans will be returned to the state for civilian use.<\/p>\n

\"Touring<\/a>

Touring the remains of Heidelberg Castle – in ruins, but still grand. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Our day in Heidelberg started with a visit to the bombed-out remains of the imposing Heidelberg Castle, which sits perched high atop the ridge overlooking the town. It was destroyed in part by the French and by a devastating lightning storm that caused fire to race through the Castle. Today, you can still tour the exterior of the castle, which is remarkably intact for the most part.<\/p>\n

\"Heidelberg<\/a>

Heidelberg Castle is also home to what is reportedly the largest barrel of wine in Europe. Who’s thirsty? Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Of course, the highlight of the morning was a stroll through the Christmas Markets of Heidelberg where, again, I indulged my passion for Gluhwein and local specialties by purchasing a \u00bd metre-long bratwurst.<\/p>\n

A reader asked me yesterday if I bought things at the markets, and if so, what?\u00a0 I have to be honest: I do buy things at the market, but they tend to be consumable in some way. I love hard candies, so I purchased some handmade candy from Alsace yesterday in Strasbourg. Other than that \u2013 a lot of Gluhwein and the associated mugs.<\/p>\n

\"Overlooking<\/a>

Overlooking Heidelberg from Heidelberg Castle. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"After<\/a>

After touring the Castle, we set out to explore Heidelberg’s Christmas Markets. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Each<\/a>

Each market in each city has its own unique feel and characteristics. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

I do enjoy looking for anything unique or interesting, whether it be an ornament or decoration of some kind. My only criteria: it has to be made locally, and it has to be something that I couldn\u2019t buy elsewhere.<\/p>\n

I am sort of regretting not getting a chocolate pencil crayon yesterday. Last year in Regensburg, I bought chocolates shaped, cast and even coloured to look like old bolts and rusty pliers. Super cool!<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

There are things I\u2019d love to buy, if money was no object. Frankly, that \u20ac18,000 watch I saw yesterday in Strasbourg <\/a>looked pretty snappy. Never in a million years could I afford that. But \u2013 someone can. Maybe that\u2019s why I like the Christmas Markets so much: there\u2019s something for every taste and budget.<\/p>\n

Even if it\u2019s just a \u00bd metre bratwurst!<\/p>\n

\"Ta-daa!<\/a>

Ta-daa! Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s what is happening today onboard Viking Baldur<\/i>:<\/p>\n