Second and Third Year students of Presentation College travelled on an educational trip to the Rhineland in Germany last week. These students are all studying German as part of the Junior Certificate cycle.

Their first day began with a visit to the city of Aachen where they experienced the Christmas markets for the first time.

The following day, they travelled to the beautiful city of Heidelberg where they met their tour guides who took them on a two hour walking tour highlighting the main sights and features of historical interest. They were then accompanied by funicular train up to Heidelberg Castle where their guides there took them on an enchanting tour of the palace. Students were then given the opportunity to practice their German language skills when they went for lunch in the local cafés followed by some shopping at the Christmas markets.

On their third day, students visited the world famous Cologne Cathedral, followed by a full afternoon in Phantasialand Theme Park. This was no doubt a highlight for the students as the park is transformed into a winter wonderland for the month of December.

On their final day, they travelled to the city of Bonn where their tour guide gave them a very interesting account of the city's history and sights. In the afternoon, en route to the airport, students visited the Bay Arena football Stadium where they were given a guided tour which brought them behind the scenes and was very interesting especially for the football fans among the group.

The tour was a wonderful educational and social experience for the students, and this along with all the fun that was had, will no doubt form a memory for them that will remain with them, long after their time in Presentation College.