Germany Trip Plan:
Family treat - the Eifel, unspoiled nature and wildlife

Farmer's market
[ source: www.pruemnetz.de]

Day 1: Arrival

Schwirzheim is a beautiful well-kept village in the heart of the Eifel. A spacey, 5-star rated apartment with a balcony and nice view awaits you on arrival. Children are very welcome and a beautiful playground is located opposite the house. Directly from Schwirzheim several hiking trails are accessible. On the northeast edge of town you will find a few wall remnants of the former Castle Schwirzheim, which belonged to the monastery Prüm. A nearby bus stop links Schwirzheim to Prüm and Gerolstein where farmers and fresh markets are held regularly, providing extra opportunities to buy your daily groceries.

View on Basilica Pruem
[ source: www.eifelverein.de]

Day 2: Eifel town Prüm

Enjoy a healthy breakfast before heading to the typical Eifel town of Prüm at the southeastern end of the Schneifel. The approved health resort town lies in a mountainous height of 1400 to 1950 ft on the river Prüm, a tributary of the Sauer and is part of the German-Belgian natural park. The townscape is dominated by the Basilica of St. Salvator with its 2 characteristic towers, part of the former Benedictine abbey from the 18th Century. Take a leisurely stroll through the town with its typical Eifel architecture and enjoy numerous shopping opportunities. We recommend a visit at the Prüm Museum - a very interesting museum displaying old toys, handicraft and agricultural exhibits, as well as giving an insight of monastic and ecclesiastical history. Because of its woodland setting with well-developed hiking trails, Prüm is also known as Forest City. On a fine day you might like to hike back through lush nature to your vacation apartment. (Approx. 6 miles)

Kasselberg
[ source: www.adler-wolfspark.de]

Day 3: Gerolstein Natural History Museum and Eagle & Wolf Park Kasselburg

Gerolstein at the river Kyll is a climatic spa town in the Eifel region in the administrative district of Daun. It is situated picturesquely in a valley full of geological surprises. Apart from the volcanic origins, you can also find fossils of any kind here. If you like to learn more, visit the Natural History Museum Gerolstein. This is an interactive experience, promising fun for the whole family.

In- and outside the old walls of the courtyard of the 12th Century Kasselburg, surrounded by 20 ha thick forests and lush meadows, a unique experience awaits you. Watch the free flight demonstration with golden eagles, hawks, kites, owls and vultures while listening to howling wolves. Nowadays, the sole purpose of the castle is to provide a home for these elegant predators. From an elevated point to can watch the wolves, and your kids will love the petting zoo and the adventure playground. The flight demonstrations take place twice a day, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., wolf feeding is at 3.45 p.m..

Tip for the evening: Enjoy a lovely dinner at die Schwarzbrennerei, not to far from your vacation apartment.

Castle Malberg, GNU-Dussy
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 4: Kyllburg and Castle Malberg

Go on a scenic drive to the small town of Kyllburg. It has less than 1.000 inhabitants, making it the smallest town in the Rhineland-Palatinate! The most important building Kyllburg the Collegiate Church, located at the highest point of the mountain ridge surrounded by the river Kyll. In the midst of the historically interesting area of the so called Kyllburger Waldeifel you will find a real gem - Schloss Malberg. The castle, built in the early 18th century Venetian baroque style, is unique in the whole region and was in spring 2000 awarded a monument of particular national cultural importance. The unique Malberg Castle is situated on a rocky spur and consists of the New House, Old House, the arcade, the brewery and the chapel. In the chapel the most valuable art treasures of the castle, ten baroque pieces from the workshop of the Rococo sculptor Adam Ferdinand Tietz (1708 - 1777), found their new home. Also, concerts, readings and exhibitions are regularly held here. Castle tours are available on Saturdays. Meeting point is the castle gate at 2.30 p.m.. Individual dates and guided tours can be arranged through the local Tourist Information office.

Cascade Bitburg
[ source: www.cascade-bitburg.de]

Day 5: Spa day at Cascade Bitburg

Bitburg is not only famous for its beer brand - you can tour the brewery and of course sample their products - but today you might fancy spending your time at the spa paradise Cascade Bitburg. Whether in winter or summer, the large indoor and outdoor swimming pools, waterfalls, water slides, whirlpools, wave and current pools, saunas, steam baths, solariums and an exclusive massage services guarantee for a fun filled day for your whole family. The Sauna World offers for sauna friends and novices, with Finnish and Roman saunas and a Turkish-Ottoman steam bath, everything your heart desires. An indoor gallery restaurant tempts with delicious local and international cuisine as well as fitness drinks. Even if you are not a guest of the Cascade Spa, you are still a welcomed guest, dining with a beautiful view to the swimming pool.

Eifel-Zoo black bear, PD- Ken Thomas
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 6: Eifel Zoo

The Eifel is a must for nature lovers. Nestled in the forest and mountain landscape, cultivated with rare and tropical trees, you can experience wildlife on a different level at the Eifel Zoo. Prepare yourself for unique sights and fascinating moments, so don't forget to bring your camera. The Eifel Zoo spreads on 300,000 square meters of wood and meadows in the area of Bierbachtal. Be enchanted by a large forest lake, watch animals in a nature-identical game park, get a close up in the petting zoo and go on a ride with the Zoo's panoramic bus. A mini village with over 30 buildings displays a miniature landscape of the Eifel region and a very cozy restaurant with terrace caters all your culinary desires. The many beautifully natural enclosures feature animals from all over the globe, including - antelopes - squirrels - beaver - emu - various types of deer - kangaroos - black bears - crowned cranes - leopards - lions - lynx - tiger -marabou - parrots - goats -sheep - porcupines - storks - ostriches - Bactrian camel - owls - various types of water birds - and many more!

Springtime in the Eifel
[ source: www.pruemnetz.de]

Day 7: Departure

The beautiful Eifel offers relaxation and fun for every visitor. Even a ride on board the Eifelquerbahn from Gerolstein through Daun, Elms and Kaisersesch is a unique experience. On the occasion of the jubilee year 2010, 175 years of German railway, a great railway adventure for this region is on its way on Easter from April 2nd - 6th. The rail route leads through the Eifel and along the Mosel and Saar rivers. A total of 100 steam locomotives, historic carriages and about 200 other special features of historic railway vehicles from the last 175 years, including the legendary Trans-Europe-Express Rheingold will surely draw the attention of huge crowds. A time not to be missed in beautiful Germany!

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