Schwetzingen, Germany (July 2009)

Schwetzingen is approximately thirty minutes away from Heidelberg and is best known for its spargel (asparagus), especially weisse spargel (white asparagas). Our friends were leaving in a week (June), and none of us had made it to the palace at Schwetzingen, so we took the opportunity to go together. It also happened to be during spargel season.

Schwetzingen is an interesting reproduction of Versailles. We did not walk through the building itself — it was a rather humorous hodgepodge of eras stitched into one — but we spent many hours walking the gardens. Ken was quite pregnant, so we took our time. It was perfect weather for the leisurely walk, and there was quite a lot to see. We came across a mosque in the southern gardens with a beautiful pond behind it and a wedding taking place.

We took lunch at a cafe built into a beautiful carriage house (or guest suite wing, we couldn't figure it out), and I had spargelcremesuppe (asparagas cream suppe), made with the white asparagas. It was delicious! I don't know if I really like white asparagas any other way though. Great with bread.

It is really worth the visit, especially during spargel season.