Cologne Cathedral, Augustusburg Castle, Beethoven House Bonn
Cologne Cathedral is the most visited sight in the whole of Germany and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the famous Gothic cathedral.
Our next stop is Augustusburg Castle in Brühl. The centerpiece of this impressive castle is its magnificent Rococo-style staircase with an elaborate ceiling fresco. The castle and park are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Finally, we take you to the city of Bonn, which was the seat of government until the 1990s. Here, at number 20 Bonngasse, you can visit the famous Beethoven House, where the exceptional composer was born in 1770.
Eltz Castle, Maria Laach, Bad Münstereifel
Eltz Castle is one of the few castles in Germany to have survived several wars unscathed. Its idyllic location in a wooded area and unique architecture, with numerous towers and oriels, make it something very special. Inside, you can visit historic rooms with original furnishings from several centuries.
We then head north and reach the Benedictine abbey of Maria Laach after 40 kilometers. Its six-towered high medieval monastery church is one of the most beautiful monuments of Romanesque architecture in Germany. The abbey is picturesquely situated on Lake Laach and can be visited as part of a guided tour.
We continue to Bad Münstereifel, our last stop, which we reach after 60 kilometers. This lovely little town has a beautiful historic center and a well-preserved, restored town wall with four gates. A castle complex and numerous romantic bridges over the Erft, which flows directly through the town, complete the enchanting ensemble. In Bad Münstereifel, you have the opportunity to stroll through the town and stop off at one of the nice little restaurants.
Sightseeing Aachen and Monschau
Aachen, close to the Netherlands and Belgium, is particularly famous for its cathedral, one of the best-preserved buildings from the Carolingian period. In 1978, the city's landmark became the first German cultural monument ever to be awarded the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Our second destination is Monschau, located around 40 kilometers south of Aachen. Monschau Castle towers high above the cloth-making town. From here, you have a fantastic view of the many half-timbered and quarry stone houses that characterize the streetscape of the historic old town. Idyllic, narrow alleys and small stairways invite you to stroll and linger.