Day 1 in Bonn

Welcome to Bonn, one of Germany`s oldest cities! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

Start your afternoon by strolling the cobblestone streets of the Old Town. In the market square, which has a colorful fruit and vegetable market, stop to admire the old city hall and its steps with gilded railings. Grab some lunch at one of the many lovely cafes here serving up delicious local German cuisine. We recommend a walking tour of the area to get your bearings and learn more in depth about the city`s attractions and history.

At the Munster Square, look up at the imposing bronze statue of Beethoven, erected in 1845 for the first annual Beethoven festival. On the opposite side of the square is the Romanesque Bonn Minster, a magnificent Roman Catholic church built between the 11th and 13th centuries, it is one of Germany`s oldest cathedrals. From the Old Town, wander over to the beautiful Poppelsdorf Palace. Once the home of prince-elector Joseph Clemens of Bavaria, the Baroque palace is now part of the University of Bonn, which is one of the leading Universities in Germany. It has a beautiful park next to it providing a relaxing spot to take a rest and enjoy this impressive and historical building.

Since Ludwig van Beethoven is the city`s most famous son, pay a visit to Beethoven House in the Old Town center. The 12-room house where the gifted composer was born in 1770 is a museum today. Inside, you`ll find the original announcement of his first concert at age eight, the bronze ear trumpets he used as he tragically turned deaf in his late 20`s, shopping lists for the family housekeeper, two original pianos he played in Vienna, and even a lock of his silver hair.

As evening approaches, fill up on some German fare in the Old Town area where you`ll find plenty of delicious restaurants and pubs. Take in the city at night before heading back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.

Day 2 in Bonn

Grab a quick bite to eat at one of the many local bakeries in town and make your way to Schloss Drachenburg and Drachenfels (meaning `Dragon rock`) Castle. You can easily spend a half or full day here. You can either take a long hike (it`s steep) or chug your way up on the historic Drahenfels cog railway. The train climbs 720 feet over a distance of one mile. At the top, you`ll find incredible views of Bonn, the Rhine River, and the surrounding area. You`ll also find the ruins of Drachenfels Castle. A scenic 20 to 30 minute hike down the mountain will bring you to Schloss Drachenburg, a gorgeous castle built in the late 1800`s. It was damaged in WWII but has been restored to show the rooms in their original lavish state. You can venture inside to discover the rooms set up with posh furniture and décor, and walk the elegant staircases, which will make you feel like royalty!

Spend some time on the outer grounds of Schloss Drachenburg. The gardens are full of lovely colors, and the views are breathtaking!

Complete your afternoon with a short scenic river cruise on the Rhine. This is a great way to get a different perspective of the city. Afterward, take a stroll along the Rhine River promenade. The promenade stretches on 18 miles and features little urban gardens, places to rest, playgrounds and beer gardens. This is a great spot to find a restaurant overlooking the Rhine for a well-deserved dinner before heading back to your hotel.

Day 3 in Bonn

Start by fueling your day with a traditional local breakfast. Afterward, head over to the Museum Mile, Bonn`s main attraction for art and culture amateurs from all over the world. Here you can find a range of museums that cater to all tastes. Discover the Museum of Contemporary History if you`re interest in post-war German history. If art is more your thing, visit Kunstmuseum (Art Museum), which houses the works of 20th-century German artists like August Mack, who lived in Bonn. The adjacent Ausstellungshalle (Exhibition Hall), which houses temporary exhibitions, is also worth a visit.

Another museum worth checking out is the Zoological Research museum, also know as Museum Koenig. This place is both a natural history museum and a zoological research institution in one. And next to it is the Museum of German Hitory. Or, check out the Arithmeum, a museum that displays the historical evolution of mathematical calculations. Each floor demonstrates the progression of calculations through history, from stone tablets to today`s lightening fast computers. Or the most unusual is considered to be the Egyptian Museum, which presents a very interesting collection of ancient Egyptian art.

Grab some lunch before heading over to one of Bonn`s largest parks, Rheinaue Freizeit Park. The park is huge, it covers 395 acres and it`s almost as big as the city`s old town! There is 28 miles of walking paths, perfect for joggers, families and elderly visitors. You`ll come across beautiful playgrounds, picnic areas, lakes, mini golf, `Biergarten` bars and ice cream vendors. You`ll also discover a beuaitufl lake where boats and kayaks are for rent.

There is also interesting garden sections, like rose garde, Japenese Garden, gardens for blind people and many more. Enjoy some time exploring the Japenese garden, it is a absolutely beautiful!

Spend your last evening enjoying some performing arts offered in the city. If the Beethoven Orchestra is playing while you`re in town, be sure to get tickets as this is one of Germany`s best orchestras.

Finish off the night at Alter Zoll, a beer garden on the site of an old customs house, and relax under the shade of chestnut trees as you watch the world go by.

Additional Days in Bonn

If you`re finding yourself with an extra day to spare, it`s worth venturing out of the city. From excellent vineyards to majestic castles, the region has a lot of sights to offer.

Just 19 miles to the north of Bonn is Germany`s fourth largest city, Cologne. Its imposing Gothic cathedral, which survived both World Wars virtually undamaged, essential excavation sites where remains of the early Roman settlement were unearthed and the many cheerful festivals are enough of a reason to visit.

Or, Head over to Germany`s best wine region, the Ahr Valley, for a day of culinary highlights. The area is just 20 miles south of Bonn where you`ll find vineyards for wine tastings, cellar tours and lunches. You can also opt for a walk around the vine-clad hills of the valley and stop at multiple vineyards to sample the Pinot Noirs and the Portugais Bleus for which the region is known for.

Alternatively, spend the day on a cruise up the Rhine. The meandering river is said to be one of Germany`s most romantic streams. A river cruise takes you past Drachenburg Castle, ruins, the city of Koblenz and the myth-enshrouded Lorelei rock formation, which inspired the Heinrich Heine poem Lorelei.

Your Last Day in Bonn

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.