avatarRobert G. Longpré [he / him]

Summary

Robert G. Longpré recounts a memorable trip to Bonn, Germany, emphasizing the appeal of the city's residential charm, the cultural significance of Beethoven, the exploration of the University of Bonn, and the enchanting hike to the historic Drachenfels ruins.

Abstract

The travelogue "The A — Z of My Favourite Travel Destinations" features Bonn, Germany, as a highlight, particularly the Drachenfels region. The author, Robert G. Longpré, details his preference for Bonn over other 'D' destinations like the Dakotas, Delhi, and Dordrecht. The visit to Bonn included a stay in a charming garden-view apartment and leisurely walks through the city, absorbing its residential ambiance. A significant aspect of the trip was the connection to Beethoven, which enriched the experience, alongside a personal interest in the University of Bonn. The climax was a boat trip to Koenigswinter followed by a hike to the Drachenfels ruins, a muse for artists and poets. The article concludes with a call to action, encouraging readers to engage with the content and support the author's work through Medium membership or Ko-Fi tips.

Opinions

  • Bonn's residential appeal and the apartment's garden view were particularly captivating for the author.
  • The author has a deep appreciation for Beethoven, which was a major draw to Bonn.
  • The University of Bonn piqued the author's interest due to his background as a retired teacher.
  • Drachenfels is portrayed as a place of historical and artistic significance that stirred the author's poetic soul.
  • The experience in Bonn and Drachenfels is portrayed as more than just sightseeing; it is a cultural and historical exploration.
  • The author values reader engagement and support, suggesting specific actions for readers to show their appreciation for his work.

The A — Z of My Favourite Travel Destinations — D is for Drachenfels, Deutschland

There will be more trips to Deutschland in the future.

Walking down a side street in Bonn to reach our apartment — © Robert G. Longpré

Okay, Deutschland is a stretch but I didn’t have the inclination to write about the Dakotas in America, Delhi in India, or Dordrecht in the Netherlands. We got to spend some time in the country but of all the places, Bonn was my favourite. And of course, Beethoven is the main reason why we loved the place.

Why Bonn? Well, there was this place called Drachenfels, an old ruin from the thirteenth century that was calling my poetic soul.

Ludwig von Beethoven — © Robert G. Longpré

When we arrived in Bonn from Dusseldorf, we walked through the city to find the apartment we had rented for a few days. I love these exploratory walks as we get to know a lot about the place we are in when staying in a residential area. We had a two-roomed basement suite that looked out onto a garden. Even though it was early October, the garden was still lush. Once inside the suite, we fell in love with it.

At the University of Bonn — © Robert G. Longpré

The apartment was located a bit of a distance from the city centre and the Beethoven tour that had one go from one placard to the next to learn about the famous musician. But it wasn’t just Beethoven that caught my interest. After all, I am a retired teacher and there was one university that caught my eye. After getting photos, we went in to get a better feel for the place. No one said anything though it was obvious that we were tourists, especially since neither of us spoke any German.

The ruins of Drachenfels as seen from the river — © Robert G. Longpré

As we walked along the river, we saw cruise boats as an option. We quickly booked a boat to Koenigswinter. There was a decent hike up the side of a small mountain, Drachenfels to reach a site that had been the inspiration for poets and painters over many centuries.

The ruins of Drachenfels — © Robert G. Longpré

We wandered off the trails without getting lost once we had spent time at the ruins before heading back into the picturesque town of Koenigswinter. Then it was time to return to Bonn and continue on our journey.

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Globetrotter
A Z Challenge
Germany
Drachenfels
Beethoven
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