Dock at Speyer to travel to -Heidelberg

This morning we are up early for early coffee and then to the Dining room for full breakfast.
Choose from one of the following Included Scenic Free Choice activities: (1) a guided tour to the University town of Heidelberg; or (2) visit a real German home for Kaffeeklatsch, an informal social gathering for “coffee and conversation” where you can gain a real insight in to how the locals live.
We decided to do the morning tour to Heidelberg Castle and then enjoy a walking tour of the town. ..
It was about a 1/2 hour bus ride before we arrived at the castle. The tour guide took us around to many rooms and described some of the history. Castle was begun in about the 1400's and was finished around 1550. Besides some early Baroque elements on the left building , the right building has one of the finest Renaissance facade's to see.

Inside they have the "Great Tun" , which was the biggest wine barrel in 1760. Made out of 90 oak trees, it has a capacity of 58,000 gallons of wine. Poor lighting, but you get the picture.
Off to the old town and some touring. We had a light lunch and picked up some chocolate from another chocolate house location.
Returned back to the Scenic Crystal to change and get ready for a longer coach tour to the Rastatt Palace. The oldest Baroque residence in the upper Rhine Valley.

Here we are going to have a dinner and will then experience a Concert in the Turkenlouis Ancestral Hall, The concert program includes music from Rossini, Mozart, Puccini and more. Performed by three young local artists.
This will be included for 2013 sailings.

Scenic Enrich: Classical Evening at Rastatt Palace.

Back on board where we set sail for Kehl and Strasbourg at 10:30 pm