Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university city and a couple of days spent here will leave you longing for the student lifestyle.

I spent two weeks of Summer 2005 exploring this delightful city but just a few days is enough to sample its prime offerings. The city’s charm lies in its setting - its red-roofed buildings are situated on the meandering Neckar River in-between lush rolling green hills, it’s hard to imagine a city which looks better on the front of a picture postcard! My acquaintance with the city begun with a wander round its main sights. First stop, the amazing, architecturally diverse Heiliggeist Kirche (Holy Ghost Church) which once contained a wall to separate Protestants and Catholics, and impressive fountain and main square. This was followed by a stop-off at Altebruke (Old Bridge) with its quirky (apparantly lucky) monkey statue; I later discovered that the bridge is popular spot with students who gather here at dusk to enjoy a beer and the sunset. A wander around Hauptstrasse’s numerous shops put me in mood for some lunch.

Down one of many side streets I discovered ‘Marshtall’, where the university's Mensa or canteen, open to the public, is situated. Apart from the satisfying selection of cheap healthy foods, the place is a great place to soak up the student atmosphere. I ate here often and struck up many a conversation (and argument!) with my surrounding diners and drinkers who, on hearing my nationality were keen to engage me in conversations which often continued on the way to parties in basement bars below student digs or barbeques on the banks of the Neckar.

Heidelberg’s Altstadt is charming, but two of the experiences I enjoyed most during my stay were my visits to the famous Schloss and also a walk up Philosophenweg. The Schloss (castle) was a favourite haunt of Goethe and one can see its appeal to this Romantic writer: made of a fiery-co loured stone and very dilapidated the castle provides great views over the valley. On the other side of the valley Philisophenweg (Philosopher’s Way), winds upwards through orchards and quiet leafy clearings to a series of peaceful viewing gardens – the perfect place for a picnic!