News Language, Culture and Adventure: Year 8 Explore Cologne 02.06.2026

For the week before May half-term, the German department took 30 enthusiastic Year 8 students on an unforgettable trip to Cologne, a beautiful and historic city in west Germany. Despite the 5am start, the girls’ excitement and energy were high, as they looked forward to the week’s adventure.

After arriving in Germany, the coach took the group straight to Bonn and everyone enjoyed their first taste of German cuisine with a meal at a traditional restaurant. The girls sampled local favourites such as Schnitzel, Flammkuchen, and Bratwurst before heading to the Beethoven Museum, learning about the history and artistry of Ludwig van Beethoven. They finished off the first day with a visit to the Haribo store, which had a seemingly unlimited supply of sweets.

Each morning began with a continental breakfast, followed by engaging and challenging German lessons at a local language school. These sessions provided the girls with a unique opportunity to strengthen their language skills in a new and immersive setting. Later in the day, they put their learning into practice by ordering lunch in German at local cafes and interacting with native speakers.

Afternoons were filled with exciting trips. They climbed the 533 steps of Cologne Cathedral, did a boat cruise on the river Rhein, and discovered the fascinating world of chocolate production at the Lindt Museum. One of the most thrilling activities was ziplining through the treetops at Schwindelfrei, a high ropes course in nearby Brühl.

The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the visit to Phantasialand, a theme park full of adventurous rollercoasters and fun water rides. The girls couldn’t get enough of the excitement and adventure on offer.

After a week of fun, learning, and new experiences, they were all grateful for a smooth journey home. The trip gave the girls a fantastic opportunity to improve their language skills, experience German culture first-hand, and to have a great time. The German department is already looking forward to next year’s trip!