F+U Academy of Languages
I believe speaking another language enriches one's life, and recommend it to anyone, and after learning German for over five years from classes taking place once a week, conversing with native speakers, practicing with tandem partners, and undertaking the official German language certificate with Goethe, I felt it was time to up my game. So, in August 2016, I could think of no other place to do a two week intensive German language course other than in Heidelberg due to its word-of-mouth popularity among fellow language learners.
Not only is Heidelberg a beautiful city with a river, mountain, and a castle, it also has an amazing foreign language school in F+U Academy of Languages and not to mention, swimming in history, such as, the Chemist Robert Wilhelm Bunsen, whom the Bunsen Burner is named after, worked for a period at the University in Heidelberg. Fascinating!
The language school is designed more for full-time enrolment, and not necessarily 2- or 4- week intensive programmes, despite otherwise thinking. When one books a intensive programme, it feels more like a revolving door system, in the sense that, students attend an already established class for the duration or their individual programmes. This can be disruptive to the already established class, and awkward for the visiting student. It is something one can quickly get used to. Nonetheless, it was an exhilarating experience and the school provides a superb learning environment to quickly improve and language skills, not only in German, but the school offers a variety of other languages to learn. It is not only for advanced levels either, as programmes range from beginner to advance, to specific vocations, such as business, or medical. Therefore F+U can offer a really tailored learning experience, not to mention great teaching staff and fantastic customer service.
When I arrived, I attended one class on my first day after completing the Goethe Zertifikat B2 in Manchester, which abides by the Common European Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages. However, the class was preparing to undertake another official test that week, and students were undergoing summary revision sessions from the set text book. I found this too intense, and the first teacher to be quite a whirlwind, and as I wasn't keen on undertaking another official test TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) (German as a Foreign Langauge), but rather refine my current ability and enjoy the pleasures of Heidelberg and the surrounding cities, I swapped to another class, that were a few chapters behind in the set text book, and focused on specific topics.
My new teacher and class were equally outstanding; the teacher, Olga Kolesova, was engaging and an absolute fantastic teacher, who mixed general topical conversation (in German) to accompany the set text and learning outcomes. For 5,5 hours, the class focused on specific grammar for the given level, and engaged in conversation, where every student was able to contribute, as the class was full of students from many nationalities, it gave an enriched learning experience.
During my visit, I arranged accommodation through the school, which offers a variety, from staying with host families (due to many students being quite young at 16-20), shared accommodation, and single studio apartments (with kitchenette). One can also book external accommodation, such as hotel, or make their own arrangements. I opted for the studio, which was situated right by the train station, and only 3km or so from the centre of Heidelberg, where the school was situated. The accommodation was brilliant and perfect for the duration of my stay.
So, if you want to know what the city of Heidelberg offers in terms of beautiful sights and interesting tourist attractions, please read on.
Kurpfälzisches Museum
This is a great museum to visit whilst staying Heidelberg, especially great preparation for visiting den Schloss Heidelberg (castle) as it illustrates the local history focusing on the Electoral Palatinate (Kurpflaz), and the "Winter King" Fredderick V. This is a significant part of history following the Royal lineage as Frederick V's granddaughter became the sister-in-law to Louis XIV, and descendant to Mary Queen of Scots, Louis XIV later laid claim to the Palatinate, started the Nine Year War and destroyed the majority of the Castle and grounds in Heidelberg. Frederick V's granddaughter Princess Palatine Elizabeth Charlotte was also the cousin of George I of England.
The museum offers a collection of paintings and sculptures from the 15th to 20th centuries, furnishings from the Rokkoko style, which seems to be poignant in this region in the 18th Century. Entering a basement, which is the medieval origins of the remnants of what the museum is build upon, and looking at 300 year old statues can be unsettling, especially when one has watched Dr Who and remembers The Weeping Angels.
For archaeology enthusiasts, the museum offers a collection of Baroque sculptures and a collection of statues dug up from nearby Kornmarkt, at the bottom of the path leading to the castle.
Schloss Heidelberg & Königstuhl
Absolutely brilliant and beautiful castle and view of Heidelberg. Visiting the outer grounds is free, but I recommend purchasing not only an entry ticket (7 Euro), which allows entry to the Courtyard, Apotheke Museum, the World's Largest Wine Barrel, and a nice restaurant, but also participate in a guided tour (5 Euro extra), which allows entry inside the castle itself.
The outer grounds is perfect, if you are on a budget. It is a large area that encompasses the courtyard. One has a phenomenal view of Heidelberg, and on a sunny day, it looks stunning. Without going on the guided tour, one wouldn't know the significance of the gardens at the rear beyond the ticket office. The style was Persian influenced and an elaborately grand project, which was left incomplete, but the remnants are still beautiful to see, such as small water features, and fountains. In the 17th Century, it was considered the "8th Wonder of the World". Unfortunately, time and war has not been too kind to Schloss Heidelberg. Mostly destroyed by Louis XIV after he laid claim to the Palatine dynasty as he was the brother-in-law to Princess Palatine Elizabeth Charlotte, the granddaughter to Frederik V of Heidelberg, but was denied. This was during the Nine Year War.
NB, I love the statue of the man laying on his back - reminds me of myself when I have over-indulged in good food, and in a food coma.
The courtyard access has a great restaurant that mostly serves form of Wurst, but also Schnitzel, which I sampled with Potato Salad, and it was lovely. I have tasted better Schnitzel and Kartoffelsalat, but it was tasty.
The courtyard access has a great restaurant that mostly serves form of Wurst, but also Schnitzel, which I sampled with Potato Salad, and it was lovely. I have tasted better Schnitzel and Kartoffelsalat, but it was tasty.
In the courtyard, one can access the are where the largest Wine Barrel is held, and it is massive. Once again, the joy of the guided tour is that on is instilled with a greater knowledge of the barrel. In the 17th Century, it was healthier to drink wine than water, so wine was consumer more, hence the big barrel. Also great for parties!
The Apotheke Museum can be find in the courtyard, and is another fascinating museum, narrating the development of medicine, trade, discovery, impact on Germany, introduction of regulation and practice, and overall evolution of the pharma industry in Germany today. Definitely worth a visit.
It is easy to get to from Altstadt, either by walking (although it is an upward trek) or by the Bergbahn (6 Euro or so), which also takes one to Königstuhl.
For hiking enthusiasts, Königstuhl offers a beautiful trek with multiple routes, depending on fitness. skill and preferred views. Here are a selection of photos from my hike up from Schloss Heidelberg to the Königstuhl viewpoint:
Heidelberg Zoo & the Botanical Garden
For hiking enthusiasts, Königstuhl offers a beautiful trek with multiple routes, depending on fitness. skill and preferred views. Here are a selection of photos from my hike up from Schloss Heidelberg to the Königstuhl viewpoint:
Heidelberg Zoo & the Botanical Garden
Wow! Heidelberg Zoo is absolutely superb! It may help to go when it is a beautiful sunny day, like I did, but I doubt it is that significant. I had an enjoyable morning wandering around the Tierpark and seeing the animals.
Lion, Tigers and Bears! Oh my!
The Zoo has the usual suspects, including some of my favourites; a parade of Elephants. Such beautiful animals! Also Gorillas and other Apes. Love the monkeys.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the Tigers, and the Lions were sleeping, but the rest of the animals were fantastic, such as the Sea Lions, the most Zen camel in existence, a variety of birds, big cats, and flamingos!
Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the Tigers, and the Lions were sleeping, but the rest of the animals were fantastic, such as the Sea Lions, the most Zen camel in existence, a variety of birds, big cats, and flamingos!
It is quite a large Zoo, and easy to navigate around to see everything it has to offer. I would recommend this to all zoo lovers. Certainly worth the time.
The Botanical Garden is worth visiting when en route to Heidelberg Zoo. Here are some photos to see its beauty:
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