Cross-Curricular School Trip To The Rhineland

Your group can enjoy the riverside promenade, its lively squares and quiet lanes, as well as its lush hills, valleys and vineyards. For the best view of the largest bend on the Rhine, take a trip on the chairlift from Mühltal to Gedeonseck. A one hour guided tour in German is available with a bi-lingual guide who can adjust the language level to the level of your students.

Marksburg is said to be the best-preserved castle in the Rhine Valley with a keep built around 1200, a battery with guns strategically pointing towards the Rhine, and a Gothic hall. Those fascinated by the grim and gruesome may want to visit the torture chamber with its collection of instruments of punishment from thumbscrews to hooks, racks and chains.

This medieval castle (12th-16th century) towers on a large rock that sits in a picturesque valley. It is unscathed by wars and has been owned and cared for by the same family since it was built. Many of the original furnishings of the past eight centuries still remain in place. There is a treasury and armoury boasting world-class artworks in gold and silver.

The Lorelei is an impressive rock soaring 120m above the waterline on the eastern bank of the Rhine. Steeped in folklore, it is the most famous feature of the Rhine Gorge. You can admire it from the river on a cruise that takes you past medieval castles and picturesque villages. Most tours are accompanied with running commentary in English.

This is a historic city is at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. It offers ancient bridges, an interesting old town, a large shopping centre, the 13th-century Liebfraukirche and the wine producers’ market place. See the magnificent statue of William I, Germany’s first emperor at the Deutches Eck or visit Romanticum – the city’s newest attraction. Take the cable car to the Ehrenbreitstein fortress towering above the city.

The interactive exhibition is housed in a stunning modern building, the Forum Confluentes culture centre. It brings to life fascinating aspects of the Middle Rhine Valley over an area of 800 m². Take a journey through time as a steamship passenger and experience the romance of the Rhine up close while getting to know the river and its legends and myths.

Spend the day in Cologne discovering the galleries, museums and architecture of the Rhineland’s capital city including the world heritage site of Cologne Cathedral. At the popular chocolate museum learn about the history and production of chocolate. Cologne has wonderful Christmas Markets during the advent period.

One of the prettiest towns of the Moselle Valley, Cochem has a riverside promenade to rival any along the Rhine. Take the chairlift to the Pinnerkreuz for panoramic views or visit the medieval castle.

There are six themed zones to explore at this park: Fantasy, Deep in Africa, Berlin, Mystery, Mexico and China Town. For adrenaline thrills try the Black Mamba ride or Colorado Adventure – a mine train roller coaster. Visit the Mystery Castle or marvel at the Chinese acrobats. Image by Stefan Scheer GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons.

The pretty wine town of Rüdesheim is home to a whole host of museums, cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and the oldest castle in the Rhine Gorge.  Wander along the pretty Drosselgasse with its taverns and shops. Take the chairlift to the Niederwald Monument which commemorates the re-establishment of the German empire. Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet, the Wine Museum or the gruesome Torture Museum.