Educational school tour to Cologne & the Rhineland
From Gothic cathedrals and hilltop castles to chocolate museums and riverside towns, the Rhine and Moselle Valley offers a rich setting for learning about German culture, history and language.This flight-free school trip combines fascinating visits with unforgettable experiences — all expertly arranged by our in-house German specialists.
Key stage 2 – 16+
Year round
A cultural and language tour through the Rhine & Moselle
Your group will be based in Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest and most vibrant cities. From here, you’ll explore the diverse Rhine and Moselle regions — contrasting the buzzing cities of Cologne and Koblenz with picturesque riverside towns like Boppard and tranquil Moselle vineyards.
With a unique blend of historical, cultural and modern attractions, this educational tour offers students the chance to practise their German in authentic settings while deepening their understanding of the country’s heritage. Highlights include Gothic cathedrals, medieval castles, chocolate and sports museums, and the exhilarating Phantasialand theme park — a firm favourite that helps boost student take-up.
Our knowledgeable German-speaking team, who have lived and worked in Germany, will help plan an educationally rich itinerary tailored to your group’s learning objectives — suggesting insider favourites and ensuring your time is well spent.
With exclusive use of a Pegasus coach, your group can travel in comfort, with full flexibility to explore the region at your own pace.
This is just a sample of what we can offer, contact one of our specialist German team to organise a bespoke tour for your group.
Day 1
Coach pick-up from school
Travel to Germany via Eurotunnel or ferry
Arrive in Cologne and check in to accommodation
Evening meal and orientation
Day 2
Discover Cologne’s old town and stunning Gothic cathedral
Visit the Cologne Chocolate Museum for a tasty language-learning experience
Explore the German Sport & Olympic Museum
Enjoy a scenic cruise on the River Rhine
Day 3
Tour the medieval Marksburg Castle overlooking the Rhine
Stroll through the traditional town of Boppard
Take in the dramatic Rhine Gorge by boat
Visit Koblenz and the famous Deutsches Eck
Ride the Koblenz cable car across the Rhine
Day 4
Full day of thrills and fun at Phantasialand theme park — a student favourite that helps boost trip engagement
Day 5
Depart Cologne
Supermarket stop for some last minute souvenirs
Return to school by coach
Excursions
Phantasialand
Boppard
Cologne Cathedral
German Sports and Olympic Museum
Cologne Chocolate Museum
Niederwald Chairlift
Rheinstein Castle
River cruise
Siegfried's Mechanical Museum
Marksburg Castle
Seilbahn Koblenz
Deutsche Ecke Koblenz
Cochem
Eltz Castle
Loreley-Bob
Phantasialand
This theme park is a popular choice with teachers because there is something to suit every student. There are six different themed areas with rides and attractions to suit all ages and sure to keep your group entertained.
Boppard
Boppard is a beautiful traditional town that lies in the Rhine Gorge. The best way to see the town is by hopping on the mini-train for a 30-minute tour past the remains of Boppard's fortifying walls dating back to the Roman era and the Middle Ages, past the Romanesque and Gothic Parish Church of St. Severus and the Carmelite Church, and many other historic places of interest.
Cologne Cathedral
The Cologne Cathedral is a World Heritage Site and is renowned as a symbol of German Catholicism. You can go inside for free, it is also possible to visit the tower and the treasury for a small fee.
German Sports and Olympic Museum
Learn about the interesting history of German sports at Cologne's Sports and Olympic Museum. A particularly interesting exhibit details the controversies around Berlin's 1936 Olympic games. There's even a football pitch on the rooftop!
Cologne Chocolate Museum
School kids and chocolate? A match made in heaven! Have your very own Charlie Bucket moment and take a guided tour through Cologne's chocolate museum, you'll even be able to taste the chocolate fountain.
Niederwald Chairlift
For those not afraid of heights, this chairlift is a must-try. Great for a spot of sightseeing, you will ascend over the forests of Niederwald and get a panoramic view of the Rhine valley and its river.
Rheinstein Castle
Take a self-guided tour of this 14th century castle, its grounds and gardens. The castle's turret overlooks the Rhine River and is a fantastic vantage point.
River cruise
There's no better way to experience the rivers than to cruise along them. We can arrange a boat cruise from the Rhine, Moselle or Cologne to best suit your itinerary. Cruises typically last 60 - 75 minutes.
Siegfried's Mechanical Museum
This quirky little museum contains over 350 examples of mechanised musical instruments. It's something a bit different and could certainly only be found in Germany!
Marksburg Castle
With a history that dates back to the early 12th Century, Marksburg Castle is a perfect example of the Rhineland's signature gothic and fairy-tale scene. It includes a keep, gun battery, gothic hall and torture chamber complete with instruments of punishment. Set high on a hill, it boasts spectacular views of the Rhine valley and it is also the only hill castle in the Rhineland that has never been destroyed.
Seilbahn Koblenz
This breathtaking cable car ride transports you across the Rhine river and up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Your round-trip ticket includes admission to the fortress which houses exhibitions on photography, archaeology and more.
Deutsche Ecke Koblenz
Snap a great group photo in front of the giant equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I. It’s a scenic stop where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet.
Cochem
The medieval town of Cochem is known for its quaint buildings, cobbled streets and cosy boutiques. Although much of the town centre was destroyed in the Second World War, the town was rebuilt in its original style and is today one of the top tourist destinations in the Moselle Valley.
Eltz Castle
Explore the fairy tale setting of Eltz Castle, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval castles. Surrounded by forest, it’s a perfect photo stop and a chance to step back in time. The castle is still owned by the family who lived in it 800 years ago, and the present owner represents the 33rd generation of Elztes.
Loreley-Bob
Ideal for the adrenaline junkies, Loreley-Bob offers a track length of over 700m, and can reach speeds of 40km/h! Whether alone or in pairs, this toboggan run takes you on an adventurous journey through the beautiful world heritage site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.
Resources
Ready-made resources to get your trip off the ground
These ready-made trip resources are designed to reduce your admin and help speed up the process of planning, promoting and getting approval for your trip:
The pupils have really benefited from seeing Germany and using their German skills to order ice cream and shop for souvenirs. Lots of them have fallen in love with Germany and want to come back. As a German teacher, that’s all you really hope for!
Emma Nelson, Deputy Head of MFL at Leicester Grammar School Trust
We have had another thoroughly enjoyable and memorable trip to Cologne. The students have expressed that this has been the best week of their school life. This has been our second trip and we have already booked next year’s. We like the flexibility to tweak the itinerary to suit our students and Voyager has always been very accommodating to any bespoke needs. It gives a good balance of German culture and history, together with plenty of fun.
Deborah Beesting, MFL Teacher at St. Mary's Menston
Pupils had a really good opportunity to see Germany at a culturally significant time of the year and they also had the chance to be surrounded by written and spoken German- which is invaluable.
Jamie Wright, German Teacher at Darrick Wood School
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