Between Culture, History & Amusement (Germany - Ruhr District)

Day 1 - COLOGNE

Arrival in Germany, home of the great poet J.W. Goethe (1745-1832), physicist A. Einstein (1879-1955), philosopher I. Kant (1724-1804), composer L.van Beethoven (1770-1827), writer T. Mann (1875-1955), and the inventor of printing with movable J. Gutenberg (1390-1468). Meeting with the guide and departure to Cologne. The city with its 2000 years of history and its unique personality, it attracts millions of visitors each year. Cologne is the fourth largest city in Germany. Whether it be the triennial music, "Cologne Pride", the fireworks and lights of the "Kölner Lichter" or Christmas markets, it offers in every season, an extensive program of events of all kinds and even invents a fifth season of world-famous: the famous Cologne Carnival. It is also nicknamed the "Cathedral City": it is long 144 meters wide, 86 m. high and 157 m. During the course of the excavations were found relics of Roman and among other things, the remains of an early Christian church, enlarged probably in the sixth century and later replaced by "Old Cathedral" in the ninth century under Archbishop Hildebold. Arrival at the hotel. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. Overnight.

Day 2 - COLOGNE

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide and panoramic tour to the city that will conclude with a visit to the famous Cathedral (St. Peter and St. Mary), one of the largest in Europe, already a Roman temple dedicated to Mercury. With the transfer from Milan relics of the Magi by Archbishop Reinald von Dassel, it was decided to build a cathedral more solemn. The first stone was laid on August 15, 1248. Since the beginning of the sixteenth century, however, work was suspended and resumed in 1842. 15 October 1880 Emperor Wilhelm I began the cathedral completed. In the afternoon return to hotel. Overnight.

 

Day 3 - COLOGNE / DUSSELDORF / COLOGNE

Breakfast. Departure to Düsseldorf: regional capital of NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia), once a region of coal and steel is a industrial heartland today, modern technology center, a region rich in culture and head office for the new tecnology media. City of the great poet Heinrich Heine (1799-1856).
Historical residence of electors princes, is characterized by wide streets lined with elegant shops and a belt of parks and gardens that meander through the perimeter of the center. Its location on the riverside of the Rhine it is also a major river port.The Gothic church of S. Lambertus century. XIII-XIV, stone and red brick with a tower of 72 m on the front and the Theater of Opera, the Königsallee (central artery) of walking and shopping street with art galleries and boutiques of the most famous names in fashion. The old city with the Burgplatz, which is the square of the ancient castle and the old city center, the Schlossturm (castle tower) only remnant of the grand ducal castle (XIII-XVI), which was destroyed in 1872, the Altes Rathaus (the old town hall) at the center of the square with the monument of the Prince Elector Johann Wilhelm, etc;. Time available. Return to the hotel in Cologne. Overnight.

Distances: Cologne - Düsseldorf = 38 Km

Day 4 - COLOGNE / MINI CRUISE ON THE RHINE / COLOGNE

Breakfast. Embarking on one of the boats carrying the mini cruise along the Rhine, which will lead us to Koblenz. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany. In 1992 Cologne celebrated the 2000th anniversary of its foundation. The ancient Latin name of the city was Confluentes and derives from its geographical position. Koblenz is situated at the confluence of the Rhine with the Moselle. The mini cruise carried out between Cologne and Koblenz is one of the most beautiful of all those that are made along the river Rhine, one of the most important rivers in Europe. You will cross the famous road of "Siebengebirge" (Seven Hills). It is inserted in one of the oldest and most beautiful natural parks in Europe, with castles and ancient residences that overlook along the river road. Return to the bus at the hotel in Cologne. Overnight.

Distance : Koblenz - Cologne = 108 Km

Day 5 - COLOGNE / RUHR DISTRICT

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide and departure to the cultural tourist district of the Ruhr. The Ruhr (German Ruhrgebiet), is located in the central region of NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia), once a region of coal and steel, and takes its name from the Ruhr river flowing through it. They are part of the District cities of Bochum, Bottrop, Dortmund, Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Hagen, Hamm, Herne, Mülheim an der Ruhr and Oberhausen, all interconnected by a dense network of motorways and railways. Arrive late morning in Oberhausen, to the Europe's largest shopping center “ Centr0 “ with 120 stores (all indoors), restaurants, breweries, pubs and cafes of 16 different nationalities (Italian, American, Argentinian, Asian , French, Mexican, Greek, etc.), 10500 cars-park, cinemas, theme parks, discos, etc.. makes this place a center of shopping and entertainment of the highest order, where you can spend a relaxing day (???) and shopping with her family, and more ... In the afternoon, accommodation in the reserved rooms at the hotel. Overnight

Distance : Cologne - Oberhausen = 70 Km

Day 6 – RUHR DISTRICT

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide and departure to the visit of the cultural tourist Ruhr district. The District is rich in coal and iron had since the beginning of the nineteenth century, a remarkable development in the fields of mining and metallurgy. As a result the region had a significant increase of its wealth and its population density reaching 800 inhabitants / km ². In 1923 it was invaded by French troops as a result of the delay of payment of the debt of war by Germany. This region was a "pawn" of what the German government had to return to France. Germany proclaimed the passive resistance in the region: the miners' strikes and sabotage put in place, causing a high number of deaths and injuries. Production is stopped, causing severe damage to the German economy that already had difficulty in recovering from the damage caused by the war. Arrival at the museum of coal mining in Bochum, one of the most important museums of its kind in Europe. Tour of the museum. In the afternoon return to hotel. Overnight.

Distance: Oberhausen - Coal Museum Bochum = 30 Km

Day 7 - CASTLE BENRATH

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide and departure to visit the castle Benrath, one of the most beautiful castles in Germany, Rococo-Classical style, surrounded by a park of 612,000 sq meters which includes two areas dedicated to the style of an English Garden and to that of a "French garden". Built from 1755 to 1773 under the direction of Nicolas de Pigage (1723-1796), on behalf of Prince Elector Karl Theodor von der Pfalz. They will visit the apartments of the Prince Elector, the beautiful rooms of receiving, the beautiful collections of porcelain, etc.. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

 

Day 8 - DEPARTURE

Breakfast. Transfer to airport in Cologne or Düsseldorf. End of our services.

Distances:
Oberhausen - Düsseldorf Apt = 35 Km
Oberhausen - Cologne Apt = 76 Km