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.