An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Land of castles and pretty spa towns, Rhineland’s friendly crowds love to be entertained in bandstands and churches by your travelling music group.
Trip Highlights
Beethoven’s House in Bonn
Boat trip on the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Slides and saunas at Tauris Waterpark
Music boxes at Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Cabinet
Music performance venues
Bad Neuenahr Revolving Stage
Groups can perform on the revolving stage either indoors or outdoors. The stage is slightly smaller if groups perform outside. A piano, chairs and microphones are available for the group if they are wanted.
St Florins Church, Koblenz
A very popular venue with all types of groups, this church hosts regular concerts and audiences are always good. It has a recently restored three-manual organ, which is available to choirs.
Cologne Cathedral
A guided tour can be arranged and it is possible to climb the tower for a small fee. This monumental Gothic masterpiece is a remarkable survivor of the bombing of Cologne, which permits visiting choirs a brief performance.
Bandstand, Bad Ems
A fine example of the spa days of the town, the Kurhaus here offers a pillared and opulent setting for any concert. Emperors, Kaisers and Kings have entertained and been entertained in the grand Marble Hall. More informal performances can be arranged.
Rudesheim Market Square
Everyone who’s been on a concert tour will probably perform on this lovely square surrounded by traditional cafes. Audiences are appreciative and encouraging, and you can enjoy a visit to the eccentric Siegfried’s Mechanical Musik Kabinett!
Boppard Bandstand
Situated in the gardens along the Rhine, the bandstand is in a fantastic location with plenty of footfall. Concerts are arranged daily from April to October in the afternoon as entertainment for the tourists which flock to the town in the warmer months.
All Saints’ Anglican Church, Cologne
It is a modern building with sympathetic acoustics, making it suitable for very varied performances. The local congregation is supportive, particularly of visiting British groups, and are very hospitable to young musicians.
St Peter’s Church, Bacharach
This lovely, intimate church welcomes both choirs and orchestras for an early evening performance. The local organisers promote concerts extensively within the town and ensure each group is featured in the local newspaper so a good welcome is guaranteed.
Recommended excursions
Scenic boat trip on the Rhine
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.
Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Cabinet
Set in Brömserhof, a 16th-century house in Rudesheim, Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Cabinet houses one of the world’s biggest collections of self-playing musical instruments. Students can study 350 exhibits dating from the 18th to the 20th century – from delicate musical boxes to a gigantic piano-orchestrion. Guided tours are available in nine languages.
Marksburg Castle and Torture Chamber
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.
Boppard
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.
Chocolate Museum, Cologne
This engaging museum is among the top ten most popular in Germany. It shows the entire history of chocolate, from its beginnings with the Olmecs, Maya and Aztecs to contemporary products and production methods. There’s a tropicarium with cacao trees, and students can indulge in the chocolate fountain.
Phantasialand
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.
Bonn
Just 20kms to the south of Cologne is the historic and cultural city of Bonn. From 1949-1990 the city was the seat of government of West Germany. Following re-unification it is today second seat to the capital Berlin. Founded in Roman times the city is a historic and cultural centre. Ludwig Van Beethoven was born here and his house can be visited, while Bonn also has a very popular Christmas Market.
Koblenz
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.
Typical accommodation
Hotel Anker
Why groups like it:
- Ideally located for exploring the Rhine and the Moselle
- Traditional and family run
- Riverside location on the Moselle
Facilities:
- All rooms with private facilities
- Bar, cafe and sun terrace
- Skittle alley
Itinerary suggestion
1 Depart school by coach for Germany
2 Arrive at the Apostelhof Hotel
3 Evening meal
1 Breakfast and packed lunch
2 Take a cruise on the Rhine, visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet – concert on Rüdesheim Market Square
3 Evening meal – bowling
1 Breakfast and packed lunch
2 Visit Beethoven’s House in Bonn, the Chocolate Museum and the Cathedral in Cologne
3 Evening meal
4 Concert in All Saints’ Anglican Church
1 Breakfast and packed lunch
2 Visit Marksburg Castle – concert in Bad Ems
3 Evening meal – talent show at the hotel
1 Breakfast and packed lunch
2 Coach travel to the UK
3 Arrive at school
“
WDR was a real hit and highly recommended (also free!) though they loved the chocolate museum and the Burg Eltz as well, which had such beautiful grounds they children had plenty of free time to enjoy the stream. All excursions were highly enjoyed. Even the mechanical music museum, which I wasn’t sure the children would fully engage with, fascinated them!
Winchester House School
Book with confidence
Ready to arrange your next adventure?
Request a quote today. Enter your name and email to begin your no obligation quote tailored to your group and learning objectives.
