The Rhineland

This UNESCO protected area has shorter coach travel times than most other European destinations and incorporates many educational excursions and activities within one tour. Pupils learning geography and languages can find out more about the traditional communities and how their natural environment affects their lives. Whereas history pupils can visit the Rhine Valley which has the highest concentration of castles anywhere in the world!

Educational Value: Geography • Modern Foreign Languages • History

The Rhineland by coach*
Day 1: Travel to Germany via the most convenient Channel crossing and continue to your accommodation for your first evening meal.
Day 2: Spend the morning cruising along the River Rhine before visiting the medieval town of Rüdesheim in the afternoon.
Day 3: Today’s excursion takes your group along the Moselle Valley to visit Burg Eltz and Cochem.
Day 4: Phantasialand is an adventure theme park that is packed full of rides, exhibits and fun activities – what a great way to end your trip!
Day 5: Depart your accommodation after breakfast and begin the journey back to the UK.

Recommended Excursions

Cochem
This traditional medieval town on the River Moselle has excellent amenities including an outdoor and indoor swimming complex. The castle tour is informative and the vista from the top of the chairlift at the Pinnerkreuz viewpoint is one of the best in the area.

Burg Eltz
Thankfully undamaged in WWII, this famous castle, close to the Moselle Valley, remains completely hidden until you are almost upon it. This is a fine example of a well preserved medieval castle and a must for history pupils.

Marksburg Castle
Surrounded by myth and legend, Marksburg is the most imposing of the castles overlooking the Rhine. The canon, medieval torture chamber, kitchens and living quarters give an excellent insight into the dangers and discomfort of times gone by.

Koblenz
This is an excellent town for shopping and can be combined with a day out in Cochem. The area is also well known for an imposing statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I which stands at the point where the Moselle joins the Rhine.

Boppard
Just south of Koblenz is the friendly Roman town of Boppard. This is a popular place to start a river cruise and has Roman ruins and some excellent views of the Rhine after a short chairlift ride.

Lorelei Rock
Most river cruises pass Lorelei Rock that holds the legend of a beautiful maiden that threw herself into the Rhine. The Rock produces an echo that is said to be the sound of the maiden who has been turned into a siren trying to lure fishermen to their fate! Rudesheim At the southern end of the gorge, where the river widens, you will find the traditional wine making town of Rudesheim. The old cobbled pedestrian streets are home to an abundance of taverns, the Niederwald monument and a medieval torture museum! Cologne Apart from the enormous and impressive cathedral which overlooks the Rhine, one of the other reasons to visit Cologne is the Imhoff Museum which is dedicated to the history and enjoyment of chocolate! Check out Cologne Christmas Markets on page 27.

Phantasialand
This theme park has loads of thrilling rides including an inverted rollercoaster, the head spinning Talocan ride and the ghoulish Mystery Castle! Educational packs for art, history and physics school trips are available in English.

Recommended Accommodation

Hotel L’Europe, Boppard
Large hotel located beside the Rhine just outside of Boppard. There is easy access to the town centre via the wide river-side path.

Facilities:
• 200 en-suite bedrooms
• All with writing desks
• Reception and safe
• Dining room
• Meeting room
• Sound-proofed disco
• Bar
• Garden/terraced area

Hotel Anker, Brodenbach
This impressive hotel is situated in between Cochem and Koblenz on the banks of the Moselle River close to the Burg Eltz Castle.

Facilities:
• 180 bedrooms
• All rooms have private facilities
• Restaurant
• Teachers’ bars
• Large dining room
• Terrace area
• Swimming pool
• Bowling alley
• Sauna

*The highlighted itineraries are entirely flexible to suit your group’s educational and recreational needs.
For more details regarding excursions, prices and alternative activities contact us on: 01273 320993