We - well-traveled and active retired US couple in mid 70s - are planning to be in Heidelberg and Tubingen in the late September/early October for five nights in each town, at the beginning of a longer road trip through Switzerland and southern France. We will have a car and have found lodging in the old center of each town (with parking). We like to stay in one town or village at least four or five nights and explore the surrounding area and smaller villages. We like walking/moderate hiking, castles, scenic drives, good food and drink, some museum time, and local history. We are not shoppers.

We will likely spend one full day driving the Burgenstrasse from Heidelberg far as we can get with time to turn back for the night, visiting a castle or two or more. I'd like to get as far as Burg Hornberg in Neckarzimmern, but that might be a stretch.

I'm wondering if there might be any fall harvest festivals happening in the surrounding areas. Doesn't look as if Oktoberfest is much of a thing anywhere near - not planning to go into Frankfurt. Also looking for ideas for hiking trails near either town.

Other than a week-long stay in a small village (Ellenz-Poltersdorf) on the Moselle River about eight years ago, this will be our first time in Germany. I'm reading guide books, but also figuring there is very good advice to be found here on the Fodor's Forums. Thanks in advance for any tips and suggestions.

If they are operating, try a ride on the Neckar in Tubingen in a stocherkahn ( punt ). Tickets at the tourist information office at the bridge. Schloss Lichtenstein and Burg Hohenzollern are two castles you might visit. I took a train ride once to Sigmaringen which went a different route each way and found it scenic. The castle in Sigmaringen is also interesting.

Check out posts by Markopolko on the tripadvisor germany forum.