In this series:

Part 1:  A Fairytale Christmas

Part 2 : A Winter Day in the City

Part 3: Heidelberg, Germany: Beyond Magical
Today, my Bin and I are taking a day trip to Heidelberg. Just 93 kilometers south of Frankfurt, an hour?s train ride away, this little city is one of Germany?s most captivating. Its charms grab us from the get-go and never let go.

Equally alluring from every angle is the 200-meter long Old Bridge (Alte Brücke), built of Neckar valley sandstone in the 18th century. Linking the old town (Alstadt) to the Neuenheim district in the east, every step seems to offer ever more jaw-dropping panoramas.

It?s one of those made-in-heaven days where the sun warms the winter?s chill and its rays dapple the waters of the Neckar River. ?This is just magical,? we say, in what would become today’s constant refrain.
Seen from the bridge and seeming to soar into the clouds is Heidelberg?s Renaissance castle. Simultaneously romantic and haunting, we can?t wait to see it up close.

Walking towards the medieval Bridge Gate, part of the former city wall.

A scene from the old town.

We stop at a Lindt chocolate store. Our hearts (and hands!) are delighted with the warmth provided by the cups of hot chocolate we buy.

We make our way to the castle by riding a Bergbahn, funicular or cogwheel train, from Kornmarkt station. Perilously steep but surprisingly, not frightening. The ride is less than five minutes.

At the top, the Schlosshof, the castle?s cent...