Our adventure began with an exhilarating dance lesson from Herr Volkert, who did his best to sharpen our dance skills. Anticipation was high, so when the moment arrived, most of us were more eager to be spun around by him than to master the fast-paced Viennese Waltz. It felt like stepping back into the 1800s and gave us a fascinating glimpse into traditional German culture. We then learnt how to do a line dance, one we all agreed would make a comeback at the next school disco. 

Next, we visited the Deutsche Ecke—or German Corner—in Koblenz. This spot holds both historical and geographical significance, as Mr Simmonds and Mrs Wheeler explained so well. It’s the site where the Mosel and Rhine rivers meet, marked by a monument commemorating Kaiser Wilhelm’s role in unifying Germany.

We ended the day at Marksburg Castle, an ancient fortress nestled in the scenic Rhine Valley. Our guided tour took us through centuries of history, where we learnt that Marksburg is one of the few hilltop castles in the region that has never been destroyed or conquered. Its preserved structure and rich stories made it a highlight of the day.

Tuesday brought new excitement as we set off on a nearby hike and were introduced to the German concept of Waldbaden—or "forest bathing", which is the practice of immersing yourself in the forest atmosphere. After some enthusiastic tree hugging and listening to bird calls, we took the train to Kaiserslautern, a charming town where we experienced Kaffee und Kuchen (“coffee and cake”). Here, we practised ordering in German, which was both fun and rewarding. The food was delicious, and the staff were incredibly patient and kind.

We were then given a list of questions to ask local Germans—a task that many of us were slightly nervous about - but we found ourselves surprised at how much German we actually knew, and how well we could converse in the language. Although we had to ask people to slow down, we managed to hold meaningful conversations that pushed us out of our comfort zones. After an eventful day, we returned to the youth hostel, dreaming of tree-hugging and raspberry cakes.

On Wednesday, we packed our bags and headed to the town of Rüdesheim. We wound our way up narrow streets, pausing briefly at a Christmas store—which felt oddly out of season in mid-May—but it was exciting nonetheless. We even discovered that the store’s founder, Käthe Wohlfahrt, had been classmates with Frau Mueller’s grandmother!

Next came the highlight: the cable cars. We soared up the hill, so caught up in the thrill it was over before we knew it. At the top, we posed for photos under a beautiful dome-shaped pavilion and passed the impressive Niederwald Monument—a UNESCO World Heritage Site commemorating Germany’s unification.

Our descent was just as thrilling, this time on chairlifts, where phones were safely tucked away as advised. After a peaceful ride down, we headed to the much-awaited boat trip, where we cruised along the Rhine to our next stop.

Our final stop was Kloster Eberbach, a magnificent abbey rich in centuries of history. We tasted non-alcoholic wine in the underground cellar, learnt about the portion of the room preserving centuries-old wine, and discovered that the filming of The Name of the Rose with Sean Connery took place here. We were also delighted to spot a family of swallows nesting in the abbey. Exhausted but excited, we made our way to Aachen.

Our final day in Germany was spent in the historic city of Aachen. Frau Mueller led an insightful tour, starting at the Elisenbrunnen—a stunning pavilion where visitors can sip warm, sulfur-rich spring water popular since Roman times for its healing properties. We then took a short break to munch on a delicious German delicacy, Printen, famous for its bold and spiced flavour.

Our tour continued to Aachen Cathedral and its treasury, where we encountered the remains of Charlemagne himself. We also saw the terrifying statue of the Monster of Aachen—the Bahkauv. Afterwards, we visited the Dreiländereck, the point where Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium meet, and took a group photo.

We then explored a tricky maze, after which we headed to the Lindt factory to pick up some sweet treats before returning to the hostel.

A final surprise awaited us—a trip to a German supermarket! After stocking up on lots of Bretzels and Brot for the journey home, it truly felt like the trip was coming to an end. We returned to our dorms with a bittersweet mixture of nostalgia and joy, knowing this was a journey we would never forget.