Bonn & the Rhine in Flames

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Travel to Bonn

We take a mid-morning Eurostar from London’s St Pancras station to Brussels Midi in Belgium to connect with an ICE service to Cologne. Here we make a final change of train and travel to Bonn where we enjoy a 4-night stay at the IntercityHotel on a bed and breakfast basis, located adjacent to the station.

Day 2 – Drachenfels Cog Railway & Tour of Schloss Drachenburg

Morning tram ride to Königswinter to take the famous cog railway up the Drachenfels hill, known as Dragon Rock. Later we head to Schloss Drachenburg, built for the banker Baron Stephen von Sarter but who never lived here! Enjoy a guided tour of this 19^th Century villa and marvel at its vaulted ceilings and intricately painted murals – well worth a visit. We return down the Dragon Rock on the Drachenfels Cog Railway to connect with a late afternoon tram back to Bonn.

Day 3 – Rhein in Flammen Boat Cruise & Firework Display

A free morning and early afternoon to explore Bonn, famously known as the birthplace of Ludwig Van Beethoven. A visit to this famous composer’s house is a must and can be found a short walk, or tram ride, away. From late afternoon and into the evening we take a boat cruise along the majestic Rhine. During the cruise we will watch the beautiful Rhein in Flammen firework display. Enjoy Europe’s largest river boat parade and marvel at the ever-changing kaleidoscope of lights erupting above the river as shimmering cascades of colour plunge into the romantic Rhine Valley.

Day 4 – Wuppertal Schwebebahn

Morning train to Wuppertal to enjoy a return trip on the Schwebebahn hanging railway. The railway opened in 1901 and has been in almost continuous service above the city ever since. An integral part of the Wuppertal transport system, the train is fascinating because its wheels are on the roof! We continue to Cologne, arriving lunchtime, and the afternoon is free to visit the famous Gothic Cathedral or explore the city. Early evening return to Bonn.

Day 5 – Return Home to London

After a leisurely breakfast we take a mid-morning ICE train from Bonn back to Cologne’s main station. Here we return to London in reverse of our outbound journey by taking a high speed train back to Brussels Midi and finally connecting onwards for a Eurostar train to London St Pancras, arriving late afternoon.