Christmas markets tour to Aachen by coach: 2 days, 1 nights
Aachen lies directly on the Belgian and Dutch borders and is Germany’s closest Christmas market to the UK and a great, cost-effective choice for a two day school trip!
Suggested itinerary
Day one
Depart from school by coach
Connect with channel crossing
Arrive in Aachen & explore the Christmas markets
Visit Aachen Cathedral and Treasury
Arrive at accommodation
Day two
Depart accommodation
Explore the town and Christmas Markets
Visit Lindt factory outlet en-route
Connect with channel crossing
Arrive back in the UK
Tour gallery
Excursion locator map
Excursion Ideas
Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet
Subject range: MFL, Cultural
What you’ll experience: The chocolate company Lindt – Sprüngli was founded in 1898 in Bern by chocolatiers Rodolphe Lindt and Sprüngli Rudolf. The largest Lindt plant in Germany is located in Aachen and the factory outlet sells a huge variety of chocolate!
Select says: The factory shop sells Lindt at bargain prices so a good chance to stock up especially on seasonal products such as the chocolate Santas.
Aachen Cathedral and Treasury
Subject range: MFL, Cultural, History, RS
What you’ll experience: The Cathedral of Aachen is the coronation church of more than 30 German kings and the burial site of Charlemagne. The Cathedral Treasury in Aachen houses some great relics of Charlemagne and other works of art from Germany’s past.
Select says: In 1978 it was the first German building to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Aachen Christmas Market
Subject range: MFL, Cultural
What you’ll experience: Aachen’s annual Christmas market is held in the market place and adjoining small medieval streets. The colourful stands and stalls offer a great deal of choice including culinary delicacies as well as beautiful works of art and crafts. The market place is also home to Aachen’s impressive cathedral and town hall.
Select says: One local speciality you must try is the Aachen Printen, a kind of freshly baked gingerbread.
Christmas markets trip to Aachen by coach: 2 days, 1 nights Accommodation
A&O Aachen Hauptbahnhof
Location: Central Aachen
Capacity: 188
Located directly by the main train station near the picturesque old town and a few minutes' walk from Aachen Cathedral and the Christmas markets. This is a comfortable and well-positioned accommodation - perfect for your overnight stay in Aachen.
Rooms: Rooms: Single, double and family rooms (with 2 single beds and 1 bunk bed for max 4 people) and shared rooms for four or six people. The modern guest rooms are equipped with shower, WC and TV.
Facilities: Facilities: Games room, TV lounge, dining room and bar. There is complimentary Wi-Fi in the rooms and public areas. Select says: A buffet breakfast is served each morning, and snacks and drinks are available at the bar throughout the day.
Links to Learning
Learning areas:
Why not link your tour to your school PSHE planning? Areas covered could include: gaining self-confidence and independence; working together and making new friends; trying new activities; take increasing responsibility for themselves.
For KS3/4 how about linking to the Citizenship curriculum: to enable them to manage their money on a day-to-day basis.
For KS2 Foreign Language: listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding; engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; develop accurate pronunciation and intonation; broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words.
KS3/4 Modern foreign language: develop and use a wide-ranging and deepening vocabulary that goes beyond their immediate needs and interests; listen to a variety of forms of spoken language to obtain information and respond appropriately; initiate and develop conversations, coping with unfamiliar language and unexpected responses, making use of important social conventions such as formal modes of address; speak coherently and confidently, with increasingly accurate pronunciation and intonation.
