Live Like a German Tour
The Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Cologne, Brühl, Aachen and Essen

12th – 20th September 2010 (9 days / 8 nights)

German culture and tradition

Explore castles, folk festivals, cathedrals and medieval towns in the lower Rhine region of Germany

Did you ever want to "live like a German" during your Germany vacation?

We provide a guided and specially crafted Live Like a German tour that lets you experience Germany from a more personal angle, while having expert tour guides on your side, and everything is organized for you to let you enjoy Germany in September.

This 9 day / 8 nights tour offers unique itineraries combining highlights of the region with visits of local events, plus guided visits and time to explore on your own. Experience first hand German culture and tradition - Explore Castles, folk festivals, cathedrals and medieval towns in the lower Rhine region of Germany.

The Middle Rhine Valley is famous for its castles, historic towns and picturesque vineyards. It is surrounded in a gorgeous natural landscape. Enjoy the historic spirit of the medieval towns along the River Rhine. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site features fantastic river countrysides with an extraordinary cultural richness. From the well-known wine- producing towns of Bingen and Rüdesheim you follow the River Rhine via Koblenz to Cologne, into the cultural heart of the region which offers not only a world famous cathedral, but also an outstanding choice of museums of international importance and a lively cultural ambience.

Right outside Cologne, two palaces in rococo style, Augustusburg and Falkenlust, with their wonderful baroque gardens, are situated in the little town of Brühl. In this well-preserved comprehensive work of art the architecture and the luxury of 18th century life can be experienced.

The next town of the tour is Aachen, where the 1,200-year old cathedral can be visited. At this point, it is well worth making a short detour to the area where Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meet. The final part of the trip cuts across the Ruhr Mining Area to Essen, where a visit to the overground facilities of the former Zollverein Mine, preserved as when they were still in operation, provide an impressive experience of industrial history.

During the tour you will stay in either select vacation apartments or comparable hotels (rated with at least 3 stars) based on your preference. For example, while staying in Bonn area the hotel "Dahl" (***) would be our choice and recommendation. Breakfast is included there. This hotel is nicely located in the suburbs of Bonn, and has a central location from where many of the activities can start. It has rooms for the whole family (up to 4 persons), a small indoor pool, and a bowling area. For more details about the hotel see the Hotel Dahl http://www.hotel-dahl.de

 

Live Like a German Tour September
StepMapLive Like a German Tour September

 

Itinerary:

 

Sunday 12.09.2010 - Arrival in the Rhine-Area

Optional: Transfers by car or train from Airport Frankfurt

In the evening we meet for a welcome-dinner in a restaurant with your guide.

 

Monday 13.09.2010 – Koblenz Ehrenbreitstein Fortress - Bonn

First stop of the day is in Koblenz at Festung Ehrenbreitstein which is a fortress on the same-named mountain on the right side of the Rhine opposite to the town of Koblenz in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Enjoy this amazing fortress and the amazing view of Koblenz from high above the city.


Koblenz - Source flickr

 


Ehrenbreitstein - Source flickr

 

Enjoy a ride with the brand new areal cable car in Koblenz. There will be one cabin with a glass bottom, that makes you feel like flying over the river.

 

We will take a bus tour of Bonn, the former capital of Germany, and all its sights.

After the tour we will take a closer look at the Münster Basilica which is Bonn´s largest church. The square in front of this church also features a statue honouring famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven. We will stroll to the city to the birth place and house of Ludwig van Beethoven. This sight features a little museum and gift shop. Afterwards there is ample time to walk the streets.


Beethoven Bonn - Source flickr

 


Münster Basilika Bonn - Source flickr

 

In the afternoon we will visit Pützchens Market, the biggest funfair in Germany's Rhineland region. Roller coasters, carousels and fairground attractions enthuse young and old. In addition to many rides and attractions, there are plenty of delicious specialities to try.


Pützchens Markt - Source flickr

 

 

Tuesday 14.09.2010 – Cologne, Brühl and Aachen

After breakfast we will get on the bus and head towards Cologne to visit one of the best known architectural monuments in Germany and the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe.

Colognes most famous landmark is described by UNESCO as an "exceptional work of human creative genius" and certified a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a guided tour through the famous cathedral you will the opportunity to climb the spiral staircase with 509 steps up the tower and enjoy the fascinating view above the roofs of Cologne.
Cologne - Source flickr

 


Cologne Cathedral - Source flickr

 


Cologne View from Top of the Cathedral - Source flickr

 


Cologne Cathedral (inside) - Source flickr

 

 

For lunch we will visit one of the breweries, where you can taste a beer (or an other drink as well) The beer is called “Kölsch” and the person that serves it is called “Köbes”.


"Kölsch" Cologne Beer - Source flickr

 

Afterwards we will take the bus to Brühl. Brühl is primarily famous because of Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces which are counted among the symbols of this city and which were included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1984, jointly with the baroque garden park facilities.


Augustusburg Brühl - Source flickr

 

We continue to Aachen and visit the Aachen Cathedral - a Roman Catholic church often referred to as the "Imperial Cathedral". It is the oldest church in northern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The chapel was the place of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. The Old Town has flair – let yourself be guided through narrow alleys and across historic squares through the almost 2000 year-old history of Aachen.


Aachen Cathedral (where Charlesmagne was crowned) - Source flickr

 


Aachen City Hall - Source flickr

 

 

Aachen is well know for its “Printen”, a healthy christmas pastry, that one can taste in Aachen the whole year.


Printen - Source flickr

 

Return by coach in the evening.

 

Wednesday 15.09.2010 - Rüdesheim – Loreley and the Dragon’s Rock

After breakfast we will get on the road to St. Goarshausen where we will board a ship to cruise to Rüdesheim. On the way you will enjoy amazing views of the Rhine and the surroundings like the famous „Loreley“.

 

Rüdesheim, which is a winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge and thereby part of the UNESCO World Heritage, belongs to the Frankfurt Rhine Main Region and is one of Germany´s biggest tourist attraction. Making the town worth seeing is, not only the excellent wine - the Rüdesheimer Berg is among Germany´s best winegrowing areas - or even the Old Town itself, but also the picturesque Rheingau landscape together with the Romantic Rhine.


Rüdesheim - Source flickr

 

In the afternoon we will return from Rüdesheim and continue with a visit of Dragon´Rock and an experience on the oldest cog railway in Germany.


Dragons Rock from the Valley - Source flickr

 


Rhine Valley from the top of the Dragons Rock - Source flickr

 

 

Thursday 16.09.2010 - Essen - European Capital of Culture 2010

In the morning we will depart to Essen - the European capital of Culture 2010 and visit the Zollverein World Heritage Site, a place formerly known as the "most beautiful coal mine in the world". Now it is the best-known industrial monument and center of creative economy in the Ruhr area. Follow the path of the coal amongst gigantic machines and learn more about the impressive architecture while listening to a former coal miner.


Zeche Zollverein in Essen - Source flickr

 

At midday we will take a lunch break in Oberhausen. You will have the chance to refresh yourselves in Europe´s biggest shopping and leisure center called CENTRO.

In the afternoon we will discover the industrial monument called Gasometer. It was built in late 1920´s as Europe´s biggest disc-type gas holder. And nowadays it is an impressive reminder of the heavy industry character of the Ruhr area. Get an impression of great engineering skill reflected in its construction and follow the exhibition "Out of this World - Wonders of the Solar System", that is a project by the European Capital of Culture 2010.


Gasometer (outside) in Oberhausen - Source flickr

 


Gasometer Exhibition (inside) - Source flickr

 

Optional: Next to the Gasometer there is the tree2tree-climbing park with different parcours for skills starting for childs (at least 5 years and 1,1 meters size) up to experts with extreme-climing experience ...

 

 

Friday 17.09.2010 - Marksburg (UNESCO) - Burg Eltz

Today we will take the trip to the Marksburg castle. It is the only hill castle on the Rhine that has never been destroyed. It has been lived in for over 700 years and is a great representation of an ever-changing and developing castle that grew into its shape over the course of centuries.


Marksburg - Source flickr

 

Burg Eltz is a medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle River between Koblenz and Trier, Germany. It is still owned by a branch of the same family that lived there in the 12th century, 33 generations ago. The Rübenach and Rodendorf families´ homes in the castle are open to the public, while the Kempenich branch of the family uses the other third of the castle. We will have an English-speaking guided tour of this castle.


Burg Eltz - Source flickr

 

Afterwards we continue to the Bridge at Remagen, located in a small German town on the Rhine river, it had operational significance during the First World War, but it was during World War II when the bridge truly became well-known. The story of the Remagen Bridge is on one hand, the story of the fight to capture it as well as to defend or destroy it. On the other hand, the episode marks the beginning of the end of World War II in the west of the German Reich. The action at the bridge is a moving human story and a brilliant stroke of military daring.


Bridge of Remagen - Source flickr

 

We continue to the Documentation Site Government Bunker in Ahrweiler. 17,5 kilometre long were the paths inside the bunker, top secret and shielded from the public, the German Government was to find here protection from atom bombs. We will visit parts of the bunker.

Return by coach in the evening.

 

Saturday 18.09.2010 - Rhine in Flames - "The Night of the Loreley" in St. Goar / St. Goarshausen

The whole day we will spent at the rhine river area where the "Rhine in Flames" celebration takes place today. It is a German tradition where huge fireworks and colorful programs take place in both the river Rhine and the Moselle regions.

The "Night of the Loreley" presents extraordinary fireworks - besides the eye catching fireworks with illuminated ships, burning medieval castles, Bengal town lightning and light-reflection in the flowing waters of the Rhine river, breath-taking acoustics make the visitor tremble when the rolling thunder of firecrackers and their echoes break at the mountain side. There is also a kaleidoscopic programme of entertainment and other events. The absolute highlight is "Rhine River in flames" at the Loreley Rock on Saturday evening from 9 - 10pm. Come along and experience the spectacle for yourself!


Rhine in Flames - Source flickr

After the fireworks we will return by coach.

 

Sunday 19.092.1010 - Folk festival Bad Godesberg - Beethoven festival Bonn

Today you will visit the famous city festival in Bonn-Bad Godesberg. In the whole city there will be an extensive culinary and cultural program with numerous exhibitors from art and craft.

 

Furthermore Bonn celebrates the Beethovenfest, welcoming top international orchestras, well-known soloists, major ensembles and promising young performers. The Beethovenfest Bonn has a reputation which extends well beyond the Rhineland itself, which of course, with its natural attractions is a Mecca for the culturally interested from all over the word.

 

Monday 20.09.2010 - Departure

Optional: Transfers by car or train from Airport Frankfurt

Services included:

Optional Services (not included):

Not included:

Prices in EURO per person:

Per person in double room:
(including accommodation and breakfast-buffet in Hotel Dahl *** in Wachtberg)
with free WIFI-Internet-Access

Supplements per person: