After a short plane ride from Copenhagen to Frankfurt, and a scenic train trip through the German countryside, we arrived in Heidelberg, to spend a month exploring. Nobody seems to know the etymology of the name for sure. Various sources give "Blueberry Mountain", for heidelbeeren (blueberries), "Heather Mountain" (heide = heather) or "Heathen Mountain" from Heidenberg (apparently there was a tribe of Celts that lived in the area. Whatever the origin, it's a lovely city nestled in the Neckar River valley, with a majestic castle dominating the skyline and the Königstuhl (King's Chair) Mountain overlooking all. We found it stunningly gorgeous, eminently walkable, and a lively university town. Heidelberg University university is Germany's oldest university, and there's an aura of youth and vigor in the city.

The Heidelberg Marktplatz is brimming with shops, from local entrepreneurs to big box stores. And a stunning view of the schloss overhead!

Across the river is the sister town of Neuenheim, which boasts a couple of excellent outdoor markets. Cindy and I did a lot of our grocery shopping there!

Spanning the Neckar, catching the schloss over our shoulders.

Heidelberg started out as Bergheim (Mountain Home), back in the 8th century. (Bergheim is still a suburb of the city.) It's been a walled city throughout its life. The ornate city gate still exists.

The Philosophenweg -- "Philosopher's Way" -- is a popular walking path above the Neckar.

It was -- and is -- well beloved by scholars and poets.

It offers some spectacular views of the city and river below.

The heraldic symbol for Heidelberg is a lion rampant, often with a shield. You find signs of it everywhere in the city.

We made good use of the train system in the area, visiting several nearby cities. First was Mannheim. The is the iconic Wasserturm -- water tower -- in Friedrichsplatz.

Schiller, famous poet and playwright, did much of his work while living in Mannheim. His very first play premiered in Mannheim, and the city takes pride as his home.

What was once the schloss, or winter palace, of the Prince Elector of the Palatinate is not the home of the University of Mannheim.

Another town, another Wasserturm! This water tower graces the landscape of the town of Ladenburg.

Ladenburg is a graceful lovely town with elegant old world architecture. It's been around since Roman times, when it was called Lopodunum.

Ladenburg was the home of Carl Benz -- automobile engineer and inventor. This was the garage on his estate where he built many a vehicle.

Speyer is one of the oldest German cities. It was a Celtic stronghold until the Romans conquered it, naming it Noviomagus.

Speyer's Altportel, or old gate, once was part of the city walls.

The Imperial Cathedral of Speyer dominates the heart of the city. Below its high altar lie the tombs of eight Holy Roman Emperors and German kings . . .

. . . who are depicted on this statue that lies behind the cathedral.

Cindy and I have some history with the Camino de Santiago, or St. James' Way, in German Jakobsweg. One of its many paths goes through Speyer, as depicted by this bronze pilgrim.

The Protestant Reformation touched Speyer and transformed. This is the Gedächtniskirche, or Protestant Memorial Church, which was built to compete with Speyer Cathedral.

Back in Heidelberg, no visit is complete without a trip up Königstuhl on the funicular.

It's a two-stage, steep but exhilarating climb up the mountain . . .

. . . to some spectacular views of the valley below.

And coming back down the mountain is a good opportunity to visit Heidelberg Schloss and its brewery, where barrels like this stored beer once upon a time.

Our last visit before leaving Heidelberg was to Schwetzingen.

The gardens at Schwetzingen are truly impressive and worth a day's visit.

Our trip to Germany has been truly memorable. We sincerely want to return in the future.