40 A.D. - Heidelberg is born

The year is 40 AD. The Emperor Caligula declares himself a God, and he also appoints his trusty horse as a Senator of Rome.

At the same time, amidst the insanity of the Roman capital, the armies of Rome build a fort, in a small area of what will become southern Germany, on a winding picturesque river that will become the Neckar.

So I guess we have Rome to thank for the charming and incredibly beautiful town of Heidelberg.

And Heidelberg is beautiful indeed.

In our time, Heidelberg is a university town, and with the extraordinary popularity of River Cruising, it is a living example of the elegant stature of the river town in Europe. But to me and many of my clients who I have strongly urged to visit this picture perfect spot, Heidelberg is simply one of the sweetest little towns on Earth.

Through the stretch of time, between Rome and us, this beautiful spot has had an eventful history full of upheaval. Yet you wouldn’t know it as you wander down its gorgeous cobblestone streets and gaze dreamily at the Christmas ornaments in the charming little stores that line the main street .  As you stroll - running would surely be a crime in so beautiful a spot – through the postcard-like avenues and side streets, a sense of peace envelops you. Gazing up at the ruins of Heidelberg castle, I remembered a dear friend telling me about Mark Twain’s visit and I can almost see the silhouette of the great writer’s footsteps as I wandered through one of the spots in the world I found genuinely enchanting. 

As I mentioned, Heidelberg is most well known not for its beautiful position overlooking one of the arms of the Rhine River, but for its University. Amongst former students was a young man named, Karl Drais, who invented the bicycle. I have a secret suspicion that in his latter travels, he was unimpressed by walking in other cities, not comparable to the beauty or emotion of Heidelberg, and invented the bicycle to expedite a process that in Heidelberg,  perhaps more than any other,  is so soothing.

Take the tip from Mark Twain, “...beaten by the storms, but royal still, and beautiful... I have never enjoyed a view which  had such a serene and satisfying charm about it as this one gives. One thinks Heidelberg, by day ... is the last possibility of the beautiful; but when he sees Heidelberg by night... he requires time to consider upon the verdict.” That’s Heidelberg. One of the most charming cities in the world.

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