German Language Immersion in Cologne

Your guide will meet you at the Cologne Bonn Airport and together you’ll head to your new home for the next six nights. Your German immersion begins from the moment you step off the plane, and you’ll be encouraged to communicate in German the entire time you’re in Cologne. Settle into your hotel and join your group for a traditional Cologne meal.

Your first full day in Cologne will include a tour of the most famous building in the city, the Cologne Cathedral. You and your group will take a German-language tour of the cathedral. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been an important pilgrimage site since 1164, and the Shrine of the Three Kings is particularly impressive.

After the tour of the cathedral, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring Old Town and practicing your German at the various shops and cafés.

Today you’ll volunteer at a local school. Not only will you be able to practice your German and get a deeper understanding of the Cologne way of life, but you’ll also help the students with their English. This language exchange will encourage stronger connections and a better understanding among people of various nationalities.

After breakfast in your hotel, you’ll enjoy a beautiful day in nature at Cologne’s impressive Botanical Gardens. Brush up on your flora vocabulary as you take a tour of the 28 acres that the park covers. After the gardens, you’ll enjoy a picnic and conversation with your group at the nearby Sculpture Park.

No trip to Cologne is complete without a tour of the Cologne Chocolate Museum. Practice your German and sample delicious chocolate as you take a guided tour of the museum. Learn about the history of cocoa and the important role it has played in German culture.

Wake up early and head to the Schnütgen Museum for your last full day here. You’ll enjoy a German-language tour of the museum and get to see its collection of medieval Christian art. Learn about the various textiles, prints, and sculptures while practicing your German by asking your guide questions as you go.

After your tour of the museum, you and your group will explore the hip Belgian Quarter. Visit the various cafés, boutiques, and galleries that have helped put this neighborhood on the map. You’ll end the day with a traditional meal at a local bistro.

Wake up early to enjoy a final walk around Cologne before your flight home. You’ll leave Cologne with more confidence in your German language skills and a better understanding of German culture.