We'll be staying in the Heidelberg area for 5 days the second week of April and will have a car. Any suggestions for day trips will be appreciated. How is the driving in Germany? We have driven in Sicily and Italy and survived! Also, is there a Porsche factory tour in this area?
Thank you!
Joy
Meaningful tips for day trips depend on your little mentioned interests. Optionally use website & map of German National Tourist Board.
Next Porsche factory tour is at Porsche HQs near Stuttgart.
Driving: Ensure that you have valid driving permission, not license only.
Bad Wimpfen is a charming town about 45 minutes east of Heidelberg. We stopped for some sight-seeing and breakfast en route, by car, from Heidelberg to the Salzkammergut; but it would be an easy day-trip for you. It would also be a carefree rail ride if you are concerned about driving. We had no problems.
Some detailed info here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g227643-Activities-Bad_Wimpfen_Baden_Wurttemberg.html
If you're into cars and staying in Heidelberg, I would strongly recommend the Technik Museum Sinsheim
There is a Porsche museum in Stuttgart. https://www.porsche.com/museum/en/anschriftundanfahrt/
The factory tour in Stuttgart requires a reservation and people picking up cars have priority. No web page but an email: [email protected]
Heidelberg is a great city with a lot of night life. Maybe visit the Schloss Schwetzingen. You could drive along the Necker river visiting towns and castle ruine along the way. You could also venture north to Friedberg and Bad Nauheim Elvis's old haunt. Speyer is worthy a visit. Farther west go to Alsace, Fr? Würzburg and the Main River valley is a good visit too. Ready for early mornings and a long drive, then most of Hessen, Bad Wurttemberg and Bayern are within your scope. If you are driving enthusiast this is the place to be. Driving conservatively is normal.
The Porsche museum in Stuttgart is only recommended if you are a huge Porsche fan. The Mercedes-Benz museum in the city is much better.
Driving in Germany is not so bad, even better than in Italy. Germans do follow the traffic rules.
However, on the autobahns at many places speeds are unlimited. Therefore, don't stay in the left lane if someone comes up behind you going faster (you will encounter people going well over 100 MPH).
Five days, you could head down to the Black Forest area. Love Triberg and Titisee. Also, take in Strasbourg, France.
Lived in Wurzburg and it is not that far away. The Prince Bishops Residence is, in my opinion, well worth a day trip. With an early start you could even work in a short visit to Rothenburg.
Thanks for all of your suggestions. They are very helpful.
Therefore, don't stay in the left lane if someone comes up behind you going faster
Allow me to add a clarification: Do not stay in the left lane at all. Unless there is a traffic jam, the left lane is for passing only. Generally, the rightmost lane has to be used (though, if there are 3 or more lanes per direction, you can stay on the middle lane a bit longer).
Unless there is a traffic jam, the left lane is for passing only.
And if there is a traffic jam, make space for emergency vehicles. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BAB_659_traffic_jam_100_2386.jpg And even if you think you're driving fast in the left lane, you might see an Audi or Mercedes doing 200+ km/h in your mirror flashing their lights at you.
Germans follow (as mentioned) the traffic laws, and they will expect you to do the same. In my experience they are in general friendly but with rather low tolerance for errors.
Day trips from Heidelberg...
About two hours car ride to the wonderful Mosel area (Bremm, Bernkastel-Kues, Burg Eltz, etc.)
About one hour to the gorgeous Middle Rhine (Bacharach!)
About one hour to the charming Palatinate Wine Route (Bad Dürkheim to Bad Bergzabern)
