Family weekend to Aachen

October 18, 2023

Family weekend to Aachen

My mom has turned 80 in September and while we are not really a family of big celebrations, it was clear that this was not a milestone that we could let go by just like that. So my sister and I booked a family weekend in Aachen.

While the city centre is very small, we feared a little that we'd be running out of things to view right away but we were blessed with a gorgeous Indian Summer weekend so we could enjoy strolling outside back and forth every little street multiple times. I deliberately profited from this sunny weekend by wearing my shorts probably for the last time in 2023. Nevertheless: shorts in October...wow that's never ever happened before. It's a bit scary as a matter of fact.

But 25C and sun in October is the best combination for a family weekend. Our hotel was right in the city centre. Upon our arrival on Friday evening after a busy, tiring week, we simply profited from the hotel restaurant for some festive drinks. It's always nice to know you simply can take the elevator to your room, and you don't need to go out anymore. Cheers to my mom's birthday and some other birthdays in the family recently.

Goodnight kisses in the hotel hallway

The next morning we first strolled a bit through town until the tourist office was open and then we started a self-guided walking tour through the city centre at the Elsenbrunnen, one of the city's hotwater sources.

We got quickly distracted by a carnaval store where we had fun shopping.

Then we visited the Centre Charlemagne to learn first a bit more about the history of Aachen, how the emporer founded his palace in Aachen which has now become the Dom and the city hall. And hence Aachen was the center of the Karolinger dynasty for centuries.

After our lunch we strolled the rest of the itinerary in the full sun in and around the townhall and the Dom. We also visited the impressive Dom but I'll post about that seperately.