Following a gruelling 14 hour coach trip, which left Cirencester on Monday 1 July 2024 just after midnight, the (new) Year 9/10 Germany Enrichment Week trip finally arrived at our youth hostel in Deutz, central Cologne on Monday afternoon. After dinner, we set out to explore the local park and our children were complimented by locals on how well behaved they were!

On Tuesday we travelled to Braubach on the banks of the Rhine and made our way to Marksburg Castle. It was a tough uphill walk but well worth it for the fascinating tour of the castle (our guide had to unlock it with an enormous key!) and the panoramic views of the Rhine. From here we travelled to Koblenz for a walk to the Deutsches Eck, dedicated to German unity and took a cable car ride across the Rhine to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. From above, we were able to see the 2 different colours where the rivers Rhine and the Mosel meet and for which Koblenz is famed.

Wednesday was spent in Cologne (Köln), with a visit to the stunning Gothic cathedral and its amazing stained-glass windows. Afterwards, we had a boat trip on the Rhine, which turned out to be more industrial than picturesque - but provided great inspiration for the staff 'least interesting photo of Cologne' competition. The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping, with Miss Creed-Miles spending a small fortune in the Lego shop!

On our third full day in Germany, we visited Phantasialand, billed as Europe's best theme park, and it certainly lived up to expectations. There was something for everyone, from the most terrifying rides, to the magical Wellenflug chair carousel with fountains and the (not) hair-raising ghost train.

And then home on Friday! All our children made it back in one piece, there were further compliments about their good behaviour and politeness, and the staff survived the experience too.