click image to enlarge

Heidelberg is located in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany. It covers an area of forty-two square miles and has a population of one hundred and forty-five thousand people. This city is situated on the Neckar River and is a part of the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. The history of Heidelberg goes back to the fifth century and was originally known as Bergheim Village. The city wouldn’t come to be known as Heidelberg until the twelfth century. During the Thirty Years War in the seventeenth century, the town of Heidelberg was captured by the armies of the Catholic League. After the end of the Thrity Years War, Charles I Louis was able to gain back his title and lands. Charles I Louis decided to then have his daughter marry the Duke of Orleans, Philip I, in order to strengthen his power. In 1685, Louis XIV laid claim to his sister-in-law’s inheritance. The claim was denied and war erupted. By the end of the seventeenth century, French troops captured Heidelberg and almost caused its complete destruction.

The beginning of the eighteenth century visited more conflict upon the city, when religious unrest broke out throughout the city.

	click image to enlarge

This unrest made Prince-Elect Charles III Philip remove his residence to Mannheim, where it would remain until Prince-Elect Of Bavaria, Charles Theodore, erected his court in Munich. In 1803, Heidelberg fell to the Grand Duchy of Baden. Seven years later, Count Charles Graimberg began a preservation of the palace ruins and established a historical collection. During the eighteenth century, many parts of the city was redesigned in the Baroque style. During World War II, Heidelberg became a stronghold of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, or Nazi Party. By 1939, the Univesity of Heidelberg lost almost a third of its staff because of Nazi displacement and discrimination. The Nazi’s then burned down two Jewish synagogues and started the deportation of Jews in the city. In 1945, United States General George S. Patton was involved in a car crash and died in the Heidelberg United States Army Hospital.

Today, the economy of Heidelberg is divided between industry and the service industries. Eighteen percent of the city’s economic activities are related to industry. The major industries of the city include printing, publishing, Internet Technologies and the soft drink industry. Tourism and service industries account for eighty-two percent of all economic activity in the city.

click image to enlarge

This is due partly to Heidelberg being considered an artifact of Romanticism. It is also due to the historical landmarks that are located throughout the city. If you planning an extended trip to Heidelberg, then be sure to grab a Heidelberg Card. For one small fee, this card gives the holder access to Heidelberg Castle, public transportation, a city guide, twelve museums and a tour of old town.

A great place to begin your adventure in Heidelberg is by visiting Altstadt, or Old Town, first. You can book a tour from the Heidelberg Tourist Office that will take you to all points of interest in Altstadt in about two hours. If you prefer to go it alone, you can pretty much wander around this part of town and experience the sights for yourself. The first attraction to visit in Altstadt is the Universitatsplatz (The University of Heidelberg). Universitatsplatz is not only the oldest university in Germany, but is also one of the founding universities of the Holy Roman Empire. This Baroque inspired university was erected in the fourteenth century by order of the Count Palatine of the Rhine, Rupert I. Also in Alstadt is the Church of the Holy Spirit.

	click image to enlarge

Church of the Holy Spirit is a Gothic church that was erected in the twelfth century on the site of an old basilica. Other key features of Altstadt include Jesuitenkiche, Kornmarkt, Markplatz and the Haus zum Ritter.

Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss) is one of the most popular attractions in the city. This castle is the landmark of Heidelberg and is now in partial ruin. Its a renaissance style church that had been partially rebuilt since it was demolished in the seventeenth century. The earliest structure on the site was built in the twelfth century and was later expanded into two distinct castles by the end of the century. During the sixteenth century is was struck by lightning and the upper castle was destroyed. The structure that stands there now was expanded in the mid-seventeenth century, but was later damaged by fire and war. In the eighteenth century, the castle was once again struck by lightning which damaged some of the rebuilt sections of the castle. Around the castle are some beautiful gardens which were designed by Salomon de Caus, an engineer from France. Unfortunately the original French garden was destroyed during one of the many wars in the city and is replaced by the current English garden.

Heidelberg also has several markets which are worth taking a look at.

click image to enlarge

One is located in Alstadt and the other one located across the river in Neuenheim. Neuenheim Market gives visitors a slice of German life and it sells all kinds of products including fresh fruits, flowers, vegetables and cheese. Alstadt Market is much smaller, and much cheaper than Neuenheim Market. Another market located in the city is Handschuhsheim Market. Handschuhsheim Market is located a little bit out of the way of the usual tourist destinations, but is well worth the effort.

Other attractions in Heidelberg include Philosophenweg, The River Neckar, Alte Brucke, Bruckentor, Konigstuhl, Heiligenberg, Thingstatte, The Christmas market and the Schlossbeleuchtung or castle lighting. The city also has a whole lot of bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels. Bars in the city include Max-Bar, Ellin, Cafebar d’Aix en provence, Casa del Caffe, Vetter, sLager, Hemingways and The Pepper Bar. Restaurants in the city include Hackteufel, Restaurant Pop, Le Palme, Thai Restaurant Siam, Simplicissimus, Le Coq, Alt Hendesse and Zum Roten Ochsen. Hotels in the city of Heidelberg include Hotel Central, Hotel Am Kornmarkt, Romantik Hotel zum Ritter, Hotel Villa Marstall, Hotel am Rathaus, Heidelberg Marriott Hotel and the Der Europaische Hof Hotel Europa.

click image to enlarge

Cambridge is the administrative center of Cambridgeshire, England and is situated about fifty miles north of the city of London. Cambridge covers an area of forty-four square miles and has a population of over one hundred and twenty thousand people. The city is best known as a university town and is the home of Cambridge University. The area in which Cambridge was built originally began as a settlement during the Roman invasion of Britain during the first century. Its unique geographical position and topography of the area made it a valuable military fortification to defend the River Cam. During the four centuries of Roman rule, the area was an important trade center. To this day, remnants of Roman roads and fortifications can be seen in this area. After the Roman departure, the area was claim by the Saxons. It was during this time that Cambridge benefitted from trade caravans that traveled through the area. During the ninth century, Cambridge once again traded hands and fell under the rule of the Vikings. The Vikings increased trade within the area, and as a result Cambridge went through a rapid period of expansion. The eleventh century saw the city claimed by William the Conqueror and he built a formidable castle on Castle Hill. During the thirteenth century, the University of Cambridge was founded.

	click image to enlarge

Today, the educational needs of the city is met by the two universities, the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University. It is also serviced by several primary, secondary and independant schools. These include Abbey Meadows, Alderman Jacobs School, Cherry Hinton Juniors, Bushmead, Caldecote Primury, Bassingbourn, Coleridge Community College, Parkside Community College, Ely Community College, Sir Harry Smith Community College, St Bede’s School, Swavesey Village College, St Ivo School, The Manor Community College, Thomas Clarkson Community College, Witchford Village College, St Neots Community College, St Peter’s School and Soham Village College. Colleges in Cambridge include Hills Road Sixth Form College, Huntingdonshire Regional College, Cambridge Regional College, Long Road Sixth Form College, Neale-Wade Community College and Isle College.

A must see attraction during your visit to Cambridge is the Fitzwilliam Museum. The Fitzwilliam Museum is the antiquities and art museum of Cambridge University. This museum was established in the nineteenth century with the donation of the art collection of Seventh Viscount Fitzwilliam. The museum contains five distinct departments which include Applied Arts, Coins and Medals, Antiquities, Manuscripts and Printed Books, and Paintings.

click image to enlarge

Items in the collections include works from Ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. There is also an extensive collection of paintings which cover the English, Flemish, Dutch, French, German and Italian schools of art. Artist represented in this collection include Aelbert Cuyp, Frans Hals, Salomon van Ruysdael, Adriaen van de Velde, Jan Weenix, William Beechey, Edwin Henry Landseer, Thomas Lawrence, Joshua Reynolds, Jan Brueghel the Elder, Jan Mabuse, Peter Lely, Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, Thomas Gainsborough, Andrea Mantegna and Raffaellino del Garbo. Another prominent gallery in the city is Kettle’s Yard. Kettle’s Yard originally was the home of Jim and Helen Ede. In 1956, they converted four cottages into one impromptu home to display their extensive collection of twentieth century art. Ten years later, the couple gave the house and the collection to Cambridge University. Artists represented by the collection include
Ben Nicholson, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, Henry Moore, Constantin Brancusi, Christopher Wood and Barbara Hepworth.

Another prominent attraction located in the city of Cambridge is the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is a botanical garden that is situated between Trumpington Road and Hills Road and is in close proximity to Cambridge Railway Station.

	click image to enlarge

It covers an area of forty acres and holds ten national collections. This garden was founded in 1831 by Professor John Stevens Henslow, teacher of the famous naturalist Charles Darwin. Some of the features of the gardens include a genetics garden, fern display, cactus house, evolution house, carnivorous plant house, eighty families of flowering plants, limestone rock gardens and sandstone rock garden. The ten national collections include Alchemilla, Bergenia, Fritillaria, Lavender, Lonicera, Ribes, Ruscus, Saxifraga, Tulips and Hardy Geraniums. Not to be missed is Corpus Christi College. Corpus Christi College was established in 1352 by the Guilds of Corpus Christi under licence by Edward III. One of the oldest building of the college is Old Court. Other buildings of the campus include New Court, Library Court and Botolph Court.

Whipple Museum of the History of Science is home to a large collection of scientific models, instruments, prints, photos, books and apparatus dedicated to the history and nature of scientific achievement. It was built in 1944 by Robert Whipple. The bulk of the collection of this museum dates from the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries.

click image to enlarge

Special collections of the museum include the Robert Whipple Collection, Cavendish Laboratory Collection, Fitzwilliam Collection, Holden-White Collection, Heywood Collection, St John’s College Collection, Cambridge Instrument Company Collection, Trinity College Collection, Francis Hookham Collection of Handheld Calculators, Plant Sciences Collection and the J H Steward Collection.

Other prominent attractions in the city of Cambridge include Wandlebury Country Park & Nature Reserve, Cambridge Corners, Shape Walks, Tourist Tracks, Wicksteed Park, Cambridge Folk Festival, St John’s College, Great St. Mary’s, St. Mary the Less, St Peter’s, All Saints Church, Anglesey Abbey, The Farmland Museum & Denny Abbey, Institute of Visual Culture, The Cambridge Arts Picture House, Cineworld, Vue Cinema and Cambridge Chauffeur Punts. Cambridge is also home to a fine collection of restaurants, pubs and hotels. Popular restaurants in the city include Bella Pasta, Bangkok City, Hotpot Restaurant, The Little Tea Room, Trattoria Pasta Fresca, Henry’s Cafe Bar, The Granta, Burleigh Arms and Tang Chinese Buffet Restaurant & Bar. Popular hotels in the city of Cambridge include Garden House Moat House Hotel, University Arms Hotel, Hotel Felix, Crowne Plaza and Hotel du Vin. There are also a variety of hostels, one of which that overlooks Parker’s Place in the center of the city. There is also the possibility of being able to stay at one of the city’s colleges at various times during the year.

click image to enlarge

Tampa is an American city that is located in the state of Florida of the United States. The city covers an area of one hundred and seventy square miles and has a population of over three hundred and forty thousand residents. Tampa can trace its history to the sixteenth century when the Narvaes Expedition landed in the area to start a colony. A peace treaty was struck between the Tocobaga Indians and a Spanish settlement was started. The settlement was abandoned however, when the settlers realized that the area possessed no gold and that the Indian tribes were took skilled to be easily conquered. The Tampa area was then ignored for the next two centuries.

In 1763, the British Empire took possession of Florida after the end of the French and Indian War. They promptly named the bay, Hillsborough Bay. The British were more interested in the Atlantic Coast, which had military value, then they were with the bay, and Tampa was ignored again. When the Spanish reaquired the area, they also showed little concern for the Tampa area and it was once again disregarded. During the nineteenth century, the United States purchased the state from Spain as a way to stop frontier Indians from raiding American settlements and to stop escaped slaves from fleeing into the state. The United States then began building a series of forts and trading post throughout the state. In 1823, an outpost was built by Colonels James Gadsden and George Mercer Brooke at the mouth of the Hillsborough River.

	click image to enlarge

This fort would become known as Fort Brooke. Around the fort, settlers began constructing homesteads, but growth of the new settlement was slow because of the rough terrain and the threat of constant attack from Seminole Indians. In December of 1835, American troops were ambushed by Seminole Indians and as a result the Second Seminole War began. The war waged on for seven years and the Seminole Indians were eventually driven from the Tampa area. As a result, the settlement of Tampa experienced a period of sustained growth. In 1849, the settlement was incorporated as a city.

Today, Tampa is a city with a thriving tourist trade. This is due to the many attractions and historical landmarks that are located in the city. In Tampa, there are over one hundred and sixty-five parks and beaches that cover a combined twenty-two hundred acres with the borders of the city and forty-two more in the suburbs of the city that cover over seventy thousand acres. It is also home to attractions and theme parks which attract millions of visitors each and every year. A popular attraction in the city is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a nineteenth century style theme park that sits on over three hundred and thirty-five acres. It was opened in 1959 as a hospitality facility for the Tampa branch of the Anheuser-Busch brewery. When the brewery closed down a few years later, Busch Gardens added tropical landscape, amusement rides and exotic animals in order to attract visitors.

click image to enlarge

The park has many themed areas which include Morocco, Land of the Dragons, Bird Gardens, Congo, Stanleyville, Jungala, Nairobi, Timbuktu, Crown Colony and Egypt. Animal exhibits include Myombe Reserve, The Serengeti Plain, Curiosity Caverns and Edge of Africa.

Across the street from Busch Gardens is Adventure Island Water Park. This water park contains thirty acres of water rides and dining facilities. It opened in 1980 and key features of the park include Endless Surf, Paradise Lagoon, Fabian’s Funport, Spike Zone, Splash Attack and Rambling Bayou. Rides in Adventure Island Water Park include Water Moccasin, Aruba Tuba, Runaway Rapids, Calypso Coaster, Wahoo Run, Caribbean Corkscrew, Gulf Scream, Everglides, Key West Rapids and Riptide. Dining facilities in the park include Bayou Beach Club, Surfside Cafe, Gulf Scream Ice Cream, Mango Joes’ and Surfside Ice Cream.

Another prominent attraction in Tampa is the Lowry Park Zoo. This zoo is situated on fifty-six acres and is run as a non-profit organization. The zoo was opened in 1957 and features many different types of animals and rides. Animals represented in the zoo include American crocodiles, white rhinoceros, African elephants, giraffe, shoebill stork, Komodo Dragons, meerkats, okapi, Sumatran Tigers, clouded leopards, Grant’s zebras and sloth bears. Rides in the zoo include a merry-go-round, camel rides, log flume ride, pony rides, a roller coaster for children and a sky ride. The Florida Aquarium is another popular attraction in Tampa.

	click image to enlarge

This aquarium covers an area of two hundred and fifty thousand square feet and contains more than twenty thousand aquatic animals and plants from the state of Florida, as well as the rest of the world. It was opened in 1995 and its key exhibits include a simulated beach, wetlands exhibit and a coral reef that is in a five hundred thousand gallon tank.

Other popular attractions in the city of Tampa include Big Cat Rescue, Tampa Theater, Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center, Ybor City State Museum, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Pitcher Show, Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, Yuengling Brewery, Henry B. Plant Museum, Bayshore Boulevard, Morris Bridge Park, Ybor City, Tampa Convention Center, Legends Field, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Lettuce Lake Park, The Tampa Improv, Raymond James Stadium, Al Lopez Park, La Casita House Museum, Countryway Golf Club, Hunter’s Green Country Club, Seminole Gaming Palace, Museum of Science and Industry, SS American Victory Mariners’ Memorial and Museum Ship, Channelside IMAX theater, Old Hyde Park Village, St. Pete Times Forum and Vertical Adventures. Tampa also has a large selection of restaurants and hotels for visitors to choose from. Restaurants in the city include the Grassroot Organic Restaurant, Columbia Restaurant, Bernini of Ybor, Mise En Place Restaurant, First Watch, Fly Bar And Restaurant and Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant. Hotels in the city of Tampa include InterContinental Hotel, Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, The Hyatt Regency, Tampa Hotel and Casino, Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel, The Westshore Hotel and the Embassy Suites Hotel.