April 8

Day 5:  Heidleberg, Germany

We were off the ship by 9:45 am (got to sleep in, thankfully after a full day) and rode the bus into town where we met our guide.  We rode the bus up to the top of the hill to the castle and spent a good hour and change.  Really exceptional.  Most touching was the story of the king & queen who met and married at age 16 here and how their lives turned out.  Got to walk the town with "free time" - and don't get me started on that!  But ok, so Viking has options for people who walk slowly; why can't we have an option for people who don't want free time?  Takes us another place with a guide and fill our time....but I digress :)  I have to say our "free time" utilization was the best of any place we've ever been.  Got a Christmas ornament, walked on the famous old bridge - got a photo op with the castle in the background - and got to have lunch in town at a very quaint German restaurant.