Germany, Cologne and Christmas Markets!!!

Good morning every one!

My parents left Monday, 21st November but there was not much time to be sad about it because the next huge thing was already awaiting!

Nineteen 2nd and 3rd Years were going on a class trip to GERMANY accompanied by Kathleen and Paul (who went last year already) and ... me :) At first it wasn't sure whether I could come along or not. In the end I had to pay for the flight myself but I didn't mind because it was definitely worth it! The itinerary was full of good fun!

Unfortunately, the flights in and out of Kerry leave in the afternoon, so we arrived at our hotel Friday evening at eight and had to leave Monday before noon. After the arrival on Friday we had a very good dinner at the hotel and headed downtown to the christmas market in Koblenz. It is nice and fairly spread out.

Saturday was a busy but very nice day! We took a boat tour on the Rhine and headed to the cathedral in Cologne. There, we walked up the stairs to the bell tower and got a great view on the city as well as good exercise for the legs ;) After that, we got a guided tour through the chocolate factory close by which was very interesting. I was there before but that was sooo long ago :D Finally over, I couldn't wait to meet four of my friends at the christmas market. Unfortunately, I only had an hour with the boys but it was great to see them and make plans for next year!!! By the way, I think the christmas market behind the cathedral in Cologne is really nice and has a lovely, festive atmosphere. Back at the hotel we got a good dinner and Steffen came over for the evening. All together, we made our way down to the christmas market in Koblenz again and were chatting away. It was nice to catch up with everyone in person!

On Sunday we drove to Phantasialand, which is close to Cologne. I have honestly never been there in wintertime and I have to say it is great! If you're lucky with the weather you can have a nice day there with all the usual attractions and the Christmas atmosphere on top. In the Berlin area is an ice rink, a Christmas tree and and many cute little German food and drink stalls. The whole park is decorated and there are little fire places. I can definitely recommend a day there in wintertime! And the best thing was that we didn't have to stick to the students all the time and actually got to go on many rides ourselves! And I got in for free!!! :)

Monday morning we took off and headed to "Das deutsche Eck". It's a lovely spot where the Rhein and the Mosel meet. There was a lot of fog all over the place which gave it a very mystical atmosphere. Afterwards, we headed back to the airport and flew back to Kerry. We even saw the band from Tralee again that we met on the way over. If possible I have to go and see them one day in Ireland! On the way home, we stopped at the Old Glenbeigh Hotel (where we were with my parents before) and had a delicious dinner!

All in all, I felt like a tourist, an (almost) local and a mediator between Irish and German at the same time. You could call it "Vacation at home" and it was just a great trip! I will put everything in motion to meet the group that goes there next year!

That's the collage we hung up next to the room to remember the great trip!!!

Cheers for now!