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Beethoven Festival in Bonn

Follow in the footsteps of Beethoven on this inspiring journey to Bonn and the Rhine Valley, on the 200th anniversary of his death.

Combining musical heritage with cultural exploration, this tour features guided visits to key sites associated with Beethoven and Schumann, exclusive private recitals, and performances at the celebrated Beethoven Festival.

Alongside time in Bonn and Cologne, enjoy a scenic Rhine cruise, historic castles, and a visit to Maria Laach Abbey, creating a rich and memorable blend of music, history and landscapes. 

From

£2,990

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Six nights’ accommodation at the four-star Dorint Hotel, Bonn, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room    .
  • Discover the Beethoven Festival in Bonn
    Mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death with a music-filled journey to Bonn and the Rhine Valley. Travelling by rail from London, this 6-night tour combines Beethoven Festival performances with an exclusive Beethoven-Haus experience and private recital, visits to Cologne, Schumann-Haus, Maria Laach Abbey, Drachenburg Castle and the Haus der Geschichte, plus a scenic Rhine cruise, wine tasting and private organ recital.
  • Your Tour Manager
    Tour manager throughout.
  • Transfers & Entrances
    Transfers, tours and entrance fees as detailed.
  • Rail travel from the UK
    Return rail from London St Pancras to Cologne    .
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Day 1: London to Bonn

Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, continuing by rail to Cologne. On arrival, transfer by coach to our hotel in Bonn. Evening welcome drink, followed by dinner with wine.

Day 2: Beethoven’s Bonn & the Schumanns

A morning guided walking tour introduces Bonn’s rich musical heritage. Visit key sites associated with Beethoven’s early life, including his birthplace and associated residences, churches where he performed as a young organist, and the former Electoral Palace, where he worked as a court musician.

Continue to the Beethoven-Haus for a private guided tour of this important museum, home to a collection of original manuscripts and personal artefacts, followed by an exclusive recital on a period square piano. 

After free time for lunch, visit the nearby Schumann-Haus, dedicated to Robert Schumann and his relationship with Bonn. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Day 3: Cologne & Beethoven Festival

Today, travel to nearby Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest and most vibrant cities. A guided walking tour introduces its rich history, from Roman origins to its importance as a medieval trading centre. The highlight is a visit to the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

After free time for lunch, the afternoon is at leisure to explore the atmospheric old town, browse museums or enjoy riverside views. In the evening, attend a performance at the renowned Beethoven Festival (subject to programme schedule).

Day 4: Rhine Cruise, Maria Laach & Wine Tasting

This morning, embark on a scenic cruise along the Rhine from Bonn to Remagen, gliding past vineyard-clad hills, historic towns and river landscapes that have inspired artists and composers for centuries. Following lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the tranquil setting of Maria Laach Abbey, one of Germany’s finest Romanesque monuments.

Visit the abbey church and enjoy a private organ recital, allowing you to appreciate its superb acoustics and spiritual atmosphere. Later, visit a local winery to sample regional wines, gaining insight into the traditions and character of Rhineland viticulture before returning to Bonn.

Day 5: Free day in Bonn

Today is free to explore Bonn at your own pace. You may wish to revisit favourite sights, explore museums such as the Bundeskunsthalle, or simply enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this cultured city. There may also be the opportunity to attend a morning concert as part of the Beethoven Festival (optional and at own expense).

Day 6: Drachenfels & Königswinter

Travel along the Rhine to the picturesque town of Königswinter, set at the foot of the legendary Drachenfels hill. Ascend the slopes by historic cog railway, enjoying sweeping views over the Rhine Valley. At the summit area, visit the striking Drachenburg Castle, a 19th-century villa with fairytale turrets, richly decorated interiors and panoramic terraces.

In the afternoon, continue to the Haus der Geschichte (House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany), offering a compelling overview of Germany’s recent past. This evening, return to Bonn for a further performance at the Beethoven Festival (subject to schedule).

Day 7: Departure

Transfer to Cologne for your return rail journey to Paris and onward by Eurostar to London St Pancras.

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
07/09/2027
London St Pancras
£2,990
Book Now
Solo Traveller Supplement From: £410
Destination
Departure Date
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Dorint Hotel, Bonn

This four-star hotel is located in the heart of Bonn’s Old Town, directly on the banks of the Rhine River and within easy walking distance of major attractions such as Beethoven House and the city centre. The hotel features a wide range of facilities, including an on-site restaurant with terrace and river views, a lobby bar, and a wellness area with a spa, sauna, fitness centre, and indoor swimming pool. Guest rooms are modern and well-equipped, offering amenities such as air conditioning, free Wi‑Fi, flat-screen TVs, desks, safes, and private bathrooms.

Hotel Website  

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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