Road Trip to Germany

15 April 2017, Bonn

Our first road trip in Europe! We rented the car from Hertz, since they had an interesting promotion, which was for three days, we only pay EUR 80. We went to their office and had a smooth procedure. We got a good and clean car. First, we (Hertz and I) both did the check list for all the damaged that already in the car. Then, off we go!

We relied on google map (totally) for the route. We noticed that in Netherlands part of highway, we can easily spot rest area. As for Germany part, we rarely spot it. So, better a full tank before take highway in Germany :).

After more than three hours driving, finally we reached Bonn. We went straight to our accommodation, which was a unique accommodation, Base Camp Young hostel. The guests were stay in a camper. Each camper has different design theme. We got the big one, since it was the last one that still available. All the campers were put in a big hangar. They have shared bathroom and toilet. Also they provide with microwave, electric kettle, cutleries. Some snacks and drinks can be bought at the reception.  

From Base Camp, we need a few minutes drive to the old town. One of the closest parking sites to the old town is Stiftsgarage. Only needs a few minutes walk. The rate is also good, 1^st hour is EUR 0.9, 2^nd and 3^rd hour is EUR 1.2, etc. with maximum charge EUR 16.5 for 24 hours.

From the parking building, we turned left, walked straight and we were already in the old town. And very close to Beethoven house, one of the world's most famous composers. Beethoven was born in 1770 in this house. We can see his last grand piano in this house. Next, we visited Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall). It was situated in the market square. As it has baroque style, the building has an impressive façade, decorated with silver and gold. 

Then, we continued to Münsterplatz, one of main squares in Bonn. Here, we can see the beautiful Münster Basilica (Bonn cathedral). It was built on the graves of the two martyred Roman soldiers who later got promoted to be the city’s patron saints. Besides the cathedral, other main attractions are Beethoven monument which was built at 1845 and Fürstenbergisches Palais, the city palace, which is now become a post office.

From old town, we went to Heerstraße. It is a street that famous for its cherry blossom. Though most of the flowers were fallen because of the rain, but it is still beautiful to see the road all covered with pink petals.

16 April 2017, Bonn and Monschau

In the morning, we visited Drachenburg castle. It was only 15 minutes drive from Base Camp. From the parking area, we needed to walk to the castle. The entrance fee was EUR 7 (adult) and EUR 5 (child). Since it was Easter day, the castle had egg hunting activity for children. Children can exchange the egg with chocolate, and if they get golden egg, they will get a nice surprise :). Like others castle, Drachenburg Castle is also located up in the hill, which make it a good place to get a nice bird eye’s view. It was built in 1882 with neo gothic style.


The castle design gives us a fairy tale castle impression. Inside the castle, there were many beautiful rooms with beautiful decorations and paintings. While exploring the castle, we also searching for the eggs :). And we got lucky to get the golden egg! At the exit gate, we exchange our eggs. From the golden egg, we got bunny doll stuffed with Lindt chocolate and fresh from the oven bunny bread. We also got chocolate bunny :).

From here, we continued our trip to Monschau. It only took 1.5 hours from Bonn. Monschau is a beautiful town located in the hills of the North Eifel Nature Park. We went directly to our hotel, Gästehaus Zum Stehling. We had our very late lunch in the hotel restaurant.

Since the old town area is car free zone area, we need to park our car in the designated car park. There were four car parks closed to the old town. We parked our car in Burgau parking area. 
 

Monshau is picture perfect. It perfectly located on a valley, surrounded by beautiful hills. It has beautiful River Rur. And the buildings were amazing. We can see many preserved half-timbered houses everywhere. The narrow streets with coble stones also make the town picturesque. Since it was Easter, the yellow themed decoration made the town even prettier. Though everything seems to be an attraction, still there is one important building here, the Red House. It was built in 1752 by Johann Heinrich Scheibler. It was furnished entirely in Rococo styles. Today, the Red House is a museum.

We still wanted to stroll in this little town, but it was getting dark and the cafés, the shops were already closed. Therefore, we decided to went back to the hotel.

17 April 2017, Aachen

Only 1 hour drive from Monshau to Aachen. We parked our car on the street closed to the Aachen Cathedral. Since it was holiday, we can park for free :). First thing to do is visiting the Aachen Cathedral. This Cathedral is very special. Not only because the building is very beautiful, but also because inside the cathedral rests the remains of Charlemagne and also the Shrine of the Virgin Mary which contains the clothes of baby Jesus and his cloth worn on the cross. As for the building, it decorated with beautiful stained glass and golden mosaics. With all these aspect, no wonder this cathedral has become UNESCO World Heritage.

Next to the Cathedral is the Rathaus (Town Hall). It was built around 800 by Charlemagne and become his favorite palace. It was also become the center of imperial power. Even until today, the Town Hall is still the place where the destiny of the city is guided.

Between the cathedral and the city hall, there was an unique sculpture. Its name is Der Puppenbrunnen (The Puppet Fountain). It was created in 1975 by Boniface Stirnberg. There were many figures in this fountain and we can move those figures, just like when we play with puppet.

While still in this area, we can spot easily some shops that sell Aachen traditional cookies, The Printens. One shop that caught our attention was Nobis Printen Baeckerei, since it was established in 1858. The original flavor of printen is with spice. But nowadays, there are lots of its variants, such as printen cover with chocolate or nuts. We bought one bag with several flavor. All were good, especially the one that covered with chocolate. :)
 

Just across the Nobis Printen Baeckerei, there is a big park. In one corner of the park, there is an interesting sculpture, Brunnen Kreislauf des Geldes. It was created in 1977 by Karl Henning Seemann.  It is a pool that surrounded by some sculpture. The whirlpool of water demonstrates the circulation of money.

In the middle of the park, we can visit the Archäologische Vitrine (The Archeological Showcase). Important archaeological finds are constantly being made during excavation work all over Aachen, and the grounds of the Elisengarten are no exception. Systematic digs here between 2007 and 2010 unearthed about 70000 archaeologically significant objects dating from the Neolithic through to the late Middle Ages. The "Archaeological Showcase", which was built by kadawittfeldarchitektur, offers views into 60 m2 of the original 2000 m2 excavation site (source: www.aachen.de).

At the end of the park, was Elisenbrunnen (The Elisa Fountain). It is the symbol of the spa town of Aachen. It was constructed in 1827 according to plans of the architects Cremer and Schinkel. At the time, the Elisa Fountain served as a drinking hall and a promenading hall and still today it is possible to try the healing thermal waters of Aachen from this fountain. Marble plaques remind us of the names of the famous visitors that came to the Aachen spa over the centuries, amongst them Händel and Casanova (source: www.aachen.de).

From Aachen, we drove to Vaals, to visit Drielandenpunt. It only took 20 minutes to get there. As for its name, it is a place where three countries (Belgium, Germany and Netherlands) meets. There is a small obelisk that marked the border of these countries. Besides that, there is the Drielanden Labyrinth, which is the largest maze in Europe and there is also a playground, souvenir shop and restaurant.