All pictures of Heidelberg and Schwetzingen by my friend Paul Michael. For more see www.paulmichael.com.au.
Born and raised in Heidelberg, I know the city and the Rhine-Neckar region really well and I love living here. It is my goal to make my client feel like being with a friend and not swimming in the stream of tourists. I want her or him to feel a bit at home and to get to know the corners that are hidden from the package tourist.
If you want to learn more about Heidelberg, its history, culture, etc. just point your browser here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidelberg
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A friend in Heidelberg brings us to Wurzburg AND Heidelberg - Manfred fetched my friends and myself from Bamberg to transfer to Frankfurt. On the way, we stopped at Wurzburg where he generously provided another guide. The guide in Wurzburg was... read more very knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed our daytrip to Wurzburg. Then, Manfred dropped us off in our hotel in Frankfurt.
The following day, Manfred fetched us for our daytrip to Heidelberg. This time he was the guide because he is from there. His tour was more that of a hometown person who is familiar with the sights. It was more than adequate for us.
Manfred has a complicated way of computing the cost of his tours but I have to say, he is a fair person. It was generous of him to hire another guide in Wurzburg since he said, he was not from there. Our transfer and tours were reasonably priced and we were very happy with our tours with Manfred.
21. Mai 2024Heidelberg with a friend! - 5.1 stars! Our recent two day tour of Heidelberg, surrounds and the Black Forest was exceptional thanks to Manfred.
Before we arrived in Germany from Australia, Manfred invested a... read more significant amount of time understanding us and our plans, crafting a perfect two day itinerary for our party of four.
When we finally met Manfred in person, we already felt like old friends. His car is impeccably clean and comfortable, his approach warm and relaxed. Manfred is a great raconteur whose sense of humor made for two very fun days, together with fantastic local knowledge and insights. We were surprised and delighted by the places we visited and learned about history, people, flora and fauna and had such an incredible experience overall. We highly recommend Manfred, who will do his absolute best to ensure you take home wonderful memories like we have. ‘Lass die Schwachen hinter dir’
10. Mai 2024 -
Our amazing Heidelberg experience! - I highly recommend a day in Heidelberg with Manfred Pitz! Our group of four recently did so and had a wonderful time. Manfred’s communications in advance of the tour were... read more excellent, his knowledge of his home region is superior, and he was prompt, courteous and accommodating throughout the day. He has lived in the US and has excellent English skills.
On our trip, we visited the castle, drove through the town, enjoyed an authentic lunch at a monastery outside of the town and strolled through the Old Town. There is great flexibility with Manfred as he is willing to follow your plan or ask what you like and suggest where to take you.
Book with Manfred and you will truly have a new friend in Heidelberg!
2. Mai 2024Outstanding Personalized Tour with Manfred Pitz, “A Friend in Heidelberg” - My husband and I took my mother on a Viking Rhine River cruise to celebrate her 85th birthday in late April. We contacted Manfred and set up a day... read more to see Heidelberg and the surrounding area. He picked us up at our ship docked in Speyer, and after a day of touring the area, he dropped us off in Rüdesheim where our ship was located later that afternoon. We left the itinerary up to him, and our day ended up just as we had hoped for!
We visited the beautiful Schwetzingen Palace and Gardens and then made our way to Heidelberg castle. He drove us through the city of Heidelberg before taking us all the way to the front entrance of the castle, which greatly minimized the walking required by my elderly mother. He also assisted us by giving my mother a lovely coffee break to warm up and rest before venturing into the castle. We crossed the Neckar River on a small ferry and stopped by the Dilsberg Fortress. We then went to lunch where he joined us at a local restaurant in Hirschhorn, a small town near Heidelberg. It was perfect for a rainy day and the occasion.
Manfred is a people person who anticipated our family’s needs very well. His English is excellent, and his van is perfect for touring and was meticulously maintained. We now truly have a friend in Heidelberg, and we sincerely thank him for making this day so enjoyable and unforgettable!
30. April 2024Highlight of our Europe Trip Was With Manfred - We couldn’t have asked for a better experience and gain of friendship with Manfred. He is so full of enthusiasm, energy and truly makes your experience for your liking.... read more He checks with you after your booking to see what you are wanting to do / see. We started off railing from Frankfurt to Heidelberg. Manfred picked us up and we went. He gave us everything we were hoping for and more! We visited the castle in Heidelberg, saw many views from outside and in. Many stories to go along with the views. We made a stop on the bridge to take in the beautiful city of Heidelberg. We then stopped at a small cafè for a drink and lunch (cheesecake and sandwich). Sweetest man ever took the extra time to drive us to Mannheim to rail back to Frankfurt. This day was by FAR the highlight of our week long trip in Greece- Manfred made the best part of our trip in Germany! Very grateful.
29. April 2024 -
Family outing with a new friend - Our family enjoyed our tour with Manfred, very much. Our group consisted of 4 adults and 2 children which was accommodated by a luxury rental van, that was arranged by... read more Manfred ahead of time. Communication with Manfred. Before and even after the tour is a breeze, he is very attentive and accessible. We visited the beautiful Speyer Cathedral and the surrounding town, enjoyed local wines at a winery, where the customer service was wonderful and all the staff were very friendly and patient with us, as we tasted different varieties offered on their menu. Lastly, we shared and experienced German cuisine in nice restaurant, outside of the city. After this experience, we can truly say that we have gained a friend in Heidelberg! Will definitely contact Manfred again in a future visit to beautiful Heidelberg 😍
28. April 2024Best Way to See Heidelberg...and more - Prior to embarking on a recent Royal Viking cruise down the Rhine River, we decided to book “A Friend in Heidelberg” to take our group of four on an individual... read more trip from Speyer to Heidelberg and then on to Rudesheim where we re-connected with our boat. It was one of the best decisions we made during our two-week vacation.
Manfred Pitz, the company owner and our driver, was all we could have asked for to get the most out of our Heidelberg venture. Punctual, professional and personal, he was extremely informative and knew all the ins-and-outs of Heidelberg as well as points of interest along the way. Manfred’s knowledge allowed us to be efficient with our time and learn a great deal about the history and culture of Germany in general and Heidelberg in particular. We covered a lot of ground, including a cool local spot where he joined us for lunch.
Manfred speaks English fluently, has spent extensive time in the U.S. and seemed to be enjoying the day as much as we were, all positives in making it successful and memorable.
Personally, he also assisted in making the following day equally noteworthy. I was interested in taking a second side trip to the Nurburgring F1 auto racing facility outside of Koblenz but had run into some challenges in regard to both transportation and what to expect at the venue.
Hearing my frustration, he took an interest, made several phone calls when we were with him and ultimately cut through the language barrier to arrange not only a driver to take me and a friend to the Nurburgring but also reserve a ride with a professional driver around the circuit. It was a fantastic outing and one of the highlights of the trip which would not have happened without Manfred’s expertise and willingness to go above-and-beyond.
I recommend “A Friend in Heidelberg” without reservation.
21. April 2024Heidelberg Gem: Unveiling the City with Manfred - For anyone seeking an unforgettable private tour experience in Heidelberg, look no further than Manfred! My recent exploration of this charming German city was nothing short of exceptional, thanks... read more entirely to Manfred's expertise and passion. Manfred isn't just a tour guide; he's a true Heidelberg insider. His deep understanding of the city's history and hidden corners made every step of our tour engaging. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply seeking a picturesque stroll, Manfred tailors the tour to your interests. He possesses an impressive knowledge of the city's must-see sights, like the majestic Heidelberg Castle and the breathtaking Neckar River, but also knows the off-the-beaten-path gems that add a unique touch. Manfred's warmth and genuine love for Heidelberg make the tour truly special. He fosters a friendly atmosphere, happy to answer questions and cater to your pace. It felt more like exploring the city with a knowledgeable friend than a formal tour.
5. April 2024 -
Truly your friend in Heidelburg! - Good tour guide and very friendly. His pre-trip communication was GREAT. He knows his stuff and shows you the non-tourist side of his city. He took us to a... read more great local restaurant which had the world’s best hot chocolate. Highly recommend Manfred !!!
1. April 2024Great Heidelburg Tour - Manfred was the best guide we had through our tour though Europe.
We experienced a great local family owned restaurant, had a great I rightful tour of the city... read more and castle.
28. März 2024Manfred was the best guide we have ever had and offered us wonderful suggestions for our entire stay in Germany. He has now become an extremely helpful and resourceful friend.... read more We had to rebook our departing flight due to unforeseen travel circumstances. Manfred discovered through his contacts that a vehicle accident caused our travel delay. He obtained proof of it through the regional traffic authorities and we now have the necessary documentation for our insurance company. We could not have accomplished this end result without his guidance and support!
5. März 2024 -
Historical trip to Heidelberg Castle - Exploring a castle with an amazing guide . I was here in Germany for the first time to explore outside of the USA, to