Mercure Schwetzingen Heidelberg, Schwetzingen

Advantages: A bit of everyhing - museums, parks, palaces, shops, often great weather, the ice cream at Eis Roma, always something going on
Disadvantages: Dreary Januaries

...After 5 years of German lessons and numerous visits to the country, Heidelberg has still managed to escape my attention, and when I moved here in august last year I really did not know what to expect. Factoring in various holidays, I’ve spent around 10 of the last 11 months here, and as you’d expect, I’ve come to know the town pretty well. Heidelberg has everything you could want from a tourist destination – an ancient castle, a charming old town area, a river running through it with luscious green banks on one side, a renowned Christmas market and a usually pleasant climate. It’s no wonder that the Americans and Japanese flock here in their thousands each year. I spent most of the last 20 years living in a tourist resort in the UK, so the masses don’t really phase me, but if you’re looking... Read review

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Advantages: Lots to do (see op)
Disadvantages: Too many tourists

...not realise is that Heidelberg is not beautiful everywhere. It is almost a town of two faces, part industrial, part cosmopolitan – the company Heidelber Druckmaschinen (large international printing press firm) is based here which means that some parts of the town are quite industrialised. If you arrive here by train, this is the first impression you will receive, which is a shame because there are parts of the town that really are beautiful. I would recommend spending about a week in the area, in order to spend a few days in Heidelberg, and then a few days in surrounding towns such as Schwetzingen (for the stately mansion), Weinheim (for the quaint streets, breath-taking park, and courtyard of picturesque restaurants), and Speyer (for the cathedral).... Read review

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Advantages: Tourists love it.
Disadvantages: Tourists love it.

...Follow me, I want to show you one of the most beautiful German towns. I think you can trust me as a guide, I lived , loved and studied in Heidelberg for six years. You're not convinced, you think I'm prejudiced and all this talk about Heidelberg being romantic and picturesque is just 'ad speak' to lure the tourists and you'd like to hear a different opinion before you embark on your journey? No problem, just listen to this: "Truly, Heidelberg is a place of all exceeding loveliness. Here the romantic ruggedness of the German landscape unites in perfect harmony with the delicate beauty of Italy." Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) "I have never enjoyed a view which had such a serene and satisfying charm about it as this one gives." Mark Twain, Heidelberg, 1878. Do you believe me now? I don't want to bore you with too much history... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful