A 165km drive north-east from Heidelburg took us to Würzburg - a slightly smaller city than Heidelburg at 130,000 inhabitants and somewhat older, having been founded in 704AD. Like Heidelburg, it boasts a very well regarded university, and although its city centre is rather more compact, it's culture is equally vibrant with a great many cafes and restaurants in the central squares and streets. It also has its own tram system.

Würzburg sits on the river Main and like Heidelburg it has a central bridge (Altebrücke) which connects to the old part of the city and a fortress which overlooks the city, albeit on the opposite bank. The pedestrianised bridge is very much a centre of local culture for students, locals and tourists alike where one of the traditions is to drink local German wine (e.g. Silvaner) on the bridge, to chat or maybe listen and dance to music. Restaurants at both ends of the bridge sell wine starting at €6 for 25cl.

Also like Heidelburg, there are many iconic academic and religious buildings to be seen at every turn, but the highlight is the Residence, an enormous palace with UNESCO listing which served as the proclamation of grandeur for the prince-bishops of the region from the first half of the 17th century. Much of it was destroyed during the second work war but it has been painstakingly restored and its breathtaking ceiling frescoes are again on display.

The Würzburg fortress (Marienberg Fortress) is best reached by car or public transport as the route, although being just 1km from the Altebrücke, is steep. The location gives great views over the city of Würzburg but has otherwise much less to display given the shift in power to the Residence during the 1700s.

Images of Würzburg can be seen here.