Germany Day 1
Our flight arrived at Frankfurt Airport early in the morning. After picking up our rental car, we drove about 1.5 hours to Heidelberg, a picturesque university town on the Neckar River, famous for its romantic old town, historic castle ruins, and Germany’s oldest university. We reached Heidelberg Castle on foot from the Old Town, hiking up through narrow cobblestone streets and stairways in about 15–20 minutes. The climb was a bit steep but rewarding, as we passed charming old houses and enjoyed beautiful views of the city and the Neckar River along the way. Once we entered the castle grounds, we were stunned by the majestic façade soaring high above us, its weathered stone walls telling stories of centuries past. Standing there, we felt both small and awed, as if we had stepped into another era. The mix of Renaissance elegance and romantic ruins gave the castle an almost dreamlike quality, making us pause for a long moment just to take it all in. As we wandered deeper inside, we explored the spacious courtyard, admired the intricate stonework, and climbed up to the terraces, where breathtaking views of the Neckar River and the red rooftops of Heidelberg unfolded before us.
Among the castle’s many treasures, we discovered the German Pharmacy Museum tucked within its walls. Stepping inside felt like entering a time capsule, surrounded by centuries-old medicine jars, ornate cabinets, and curious instruments once used by pharmacists and alchemists. The collection traced the history of healing from medieval remedies and herbal concoctions to early modern science, offering a glimpse into how people once understood health and medicine. It was both educational and enchanting, and we left with a deeper appreciation of how far medical knowledge has come
Our lunch was at the nearby Sker Restaurant with decent food. After driving 3.5 hours, we arrived at the Hvitserkur in the vast northern sea, where a solitary troll was quenching its thirst in the water. Not only does the volcanic plug bear a striking resemblance to a drinking rhinoceros, echoing its shape, posture, and even its textured skin. "Hvitserkur" translates to "white shirt," as seabirds perennially soar around it, leaving white excrement partially covering the massive stone. It became a photographer's favorite spot too. It is also a seal watching site.
Descending from the observation platform to the beach involves navigating a very steep mountain path, requiring extreme caution.
One of the highlights of our visit was the Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest wine barrel. Built in the 18th century, it is an enormous oak cask that once held over 220,000 liters of wine. Standing beside it, we were amazed not only by its sheer size but also by the thought of the grand feasts it must have supplied. A staircase leads up to a platform on top of the barrel, and from there we could look out across the hall, imagining the banquets and celebrations that once took place within the castle walls.
After spending half a day exploring the castle—its grand courtyard, the Pharmacy Museum, and the giant wine barrel—we made our way back down the hill to the Old Town. The descent was much easier than the climb, and as we walked through winding paths shaded by trees, the red rooftops and church spires of Heidelberg slowly came back into view, inviting us to wander its cobblestone streets.