Please Help! Any suggestions about day trips from Heidelberg

Thank You so much!!

Barbara, I'm spending Xmas with my parents and family in Mannheim, only 10 miles from Heidelberg. There are many things you can do and see in this area over the holidays. You can easily spend a day in the old town and the castle of Heidelberg. Also do a late-afternoon walk on Philospohenweg (philosophers' path) on the Northern side of the Neckar river. A great half-day trip would be to Mannheim's Luisenpark gardens. It's called one of the most beautiful parks' in Europe! They currently do "Bethlehem is everywhere" which means they do Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus in the manger with real animals and the entire park really looks like a combination of winterwonderland and Bethlehem. From Heidelberg take OEG train to Mannheim, exit at Fernmeldeturm (telecom tower) and there is the entrance to the park. There is a panorama restaurant up on that tower where you can overlook the entire park, the city and all the way to Heidelberg. It's really great for Xmas!! Another half day tour would be..

.. to Schwetzingen to vist that mini-Versailles like castle and also the great gardens. There are very nice and fine restaurants on the square just outside the castle. Take S-Bahn from Heidelberg. Another great day trip is to this romantic old walled town: http://www.dilsberg.de/. From Heidelberg take S-Bahn or regional train to Neckarsteinach and walk up the hill. It's like a mini-Rothenburg. Lovely!

Thanks, Andreas, so much for the wonderful information. It's so very kind of you to take the time. Andreas, do you know when Luisenpark's Bethlehem is open? It sounds so nice and the kids would love to see it. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

Barbara, this is an overview of the park: http://www.stadtpark-mannheim.de/content/luisenpark/parkrundgang/parkplan.htm It´s MADE for kids! They open 9am till dawn, which means it varies, definitely until around 4.30pm at this time of the year...

Barbara, in the park every 100 yards or so there is a new playground with a new theme. So do take time to really explore the entire settings. Last year the manger was close by the penguins and the building where the crocodiles and monkeys are in. That of course could have changed this year. Every year you need to explore the park (they ask for a small admission fee) all over again.