It was an incredibly early start when 38 intrepid students from  Years 10 – 13 and four staff boarded the coach heading for Cologne on Thursday 15th December. Worth it only because we were off to sample the delights of one of Europe’s largest Christmas markets. 

Arriving in Cologne late afternoon we enjoyed a delicious meal at the excellent Koln-Deuz youth hostel before making our way to the Domplatz to see the markets - all beautifully lit up under a canopy of stars. The students were interested to see some of the Christmas customs that they’d learnt about in German lessons brought to life in the decorations and displays around them. After a short and bracing but really enjoyable walk along the banks of the Rheine we made our weary way back to the hostel for bed.

The next morning, having sampled the wide selections of breads, cheeses and sausages and the more usual, fruits, yoghurts and cereals to fortify us for the busy day ahead, the coach dropped us by the cathedral so that we could take advantage of seeing this beautiful building before it was filled with other visitors. The hardy and determined ‘culture vultures’ – who were surprisingly numerous - elected to climb the 579 steps which took some 15 minute to reach the top.  These brave students were rewarded with the best views of the city and surrounding areas and gained a great deal of respect from their less active friends!

After a busy few hours shopping and eating it was time to move on to the Chocolate museum with its enticing gifts and anyone who had money left soon found their pockets empty!