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Day 2: March 30, 2010
We made it ! All 18 students and their 3 chaperones arrived in perfect condition this morning at Frankfurt airport. We met up with Pete, our bus driver, and headed straight into Heidelberg, the stunning city on the Neckar river that houses the oldest German speaking university in the country - over 600 years old. There, we scrambled around the massive castle overlooking the city basking in the sunshine. This amazing palace of the Prince Electors was built and rebuilt over the centuries, and what remains now is a stunning mash-up of at least three distinctive architectural styles... and the largest wine barrel in the world, with a volume of 221000 litres - 58000 gallons ! Taking in the view over the river and the city, we walked down the cobbled streets to the old city centre, featuring a 700-year old church and some beautiful patrician houses. After a lunch on one of the city's many sunny streetside restaurants, we headed to the other side of the river, for a brief stroll along the Philosopher's Way, a walking path that has been used for centuries by professors and students alike to think deep thoughts. We, on the other hand, just enjoyed the sun and the stunning view on Heidelberg, from our picture perfect spot in the grass by the riverside.
In the evening we headed to our hotel in Ludwigshafen, where we had a filling dinner and a very deserved rest after a full day of travelling.
Tomorrow... the Black Forest !