Viking Rhine Cruise Itinerary ~ Heidelberg 🚢

In the early morning, the Viking cruise ship docks, and at 8:45 AM, we board a coach to Heidelberg. The journey takes about an hour, and the bus goes directly to the entrance of Heidelberg Castle. Today, we have an experienced local guide who provides detailed and fascinating commentary.✨ After the guided tour of the castle, there’s about 20 minutes of free time. At 10:50 AM, we take the bus down the mountain to continue exploring Heidelberg’s Old Town. At 11:40 AM, you can either return to the ship by bus or stay in Heidelberg for further exploration. The last bus back to the ship departs at 4:00 PM.✨ Two optional upgraded tours are available that day:✨ 12:30–16:30 [Heidelberg University Discovery Tour] 🎓 – Includes lunch ashore and an afternoon visit to Heidelberg University and the Student Prison.✨ 14:15–18:15 [Speyer Technology Museum Tour] 🏛️ – Return to the ship for lunch, then head to the town of Speyer in the afternoon.✨ If you choose to return to the ship at noon and stay onboard, there are activities arranged:✨ 14:00–15:00 [Captain’s Bridge Tour] 🚢 – Registration required the night before; visit according to your scheduled time.✨ 15:00–15:30 [Navigation Knowledge Session] 📘 17:00–17:30 [French Crêpe Making Demo] 🥞 I chose to stay in Heidelberg and explore on my own. My no-backtracking City Walk route was: Starting point → Bismarck Square → Cross the bridge to Philosophers' Way → Schlangenweg path down the mountain → Old Bridge → Bronze Monkey → Market Square.✨ If time permits, you can also visit Heidelberg University and the Student Prison. Since I’d been to the Student Prison nine years ago, I spent more time wandering the Old Town this time.✨ My mom was tired, so I found a restaurant for her to rest at the bridgehead while I hiked up Philosophers' Way. The winding path of Schlangenweg, surrounded by swaying trees, suddenly opened up to a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Sitting on a bench at the viewpoint, basking in the sunlight, was truly magical~ ☀️😊 No wonder the great poet Goethe said, “I left my heart in Heidelberg.” The sunlight made this medieval town’s colors vivid and alive. Wandering through the Old Town, I stumbled upon stunning alleyways at every turn. I truly wished time would slow down, allowing me to soak in the play of light and shadow on every street.✨ Surprisingly, there’s a life-sized LEGO figure in the Holy Spirit Church—is there a story behind it? Touching the Bronze Monkey’s finger is said to ensure your return to Heidelberg—what a beautiful prophecy! This trip completely reshaped my memory of Heidelberg from a rainy, gloomy place to one filled with warmth and light. From now on, Heidelberg will always hold a soft, glowing place in my heart. 💖 #Heidelberg #PhilosophersWay #Germany #RhineRiver #RhineRiverCruise