🇩🇪 Aachen Free & Easy Travel Log

Escaped my busy schedule during Mid-Autumn Festival to reminisce about Germany. In Aachen, we spent half a day exploring the old town, stayed overnight, and hiked to the Three-Country Border the next morning. Day 1: Old Town Charm ▪ Elisenbrunnen Park: Relaxed on the lawn and marveled at the glass-covered Roman ruins tracing Aachen’s evolution. ▪ Aachen Cathedral (UNESCO): Compared to Cologne’s Gothic giant, this Carolingian-style gem stunned us with its gold mosaics and intricate frescoes. (Fun fact: "Charlemagne" = "Karl der Große"!) ▪ Town Hall Square: Stumbled upon a pop-up kids’ playground (sandpit + wooden huts)—perfect summer vibes! ▪ "Century-Old Shops": Spotted historic plaques on café windows—time capsules everywhere. Day 2: Three-Country Hike ▪ Bus 35 from Elisenbrunnen → Keltenstraße (20min), then trekked toward Vaals, Netherlands. ▪ Scenic route: Past Dutch villas with free "take-what-you-need" boxes → meadow detour (closed for grazing) → cool forest trails with interactive nature exhibits. ▪ Highlight: Crunching leaves underfoot + border-crossing bragging rights! 🌍 Travel Tips 🚌 Buses: 25/35/45 (frequent) or express 350 to Vaals. 🥾 Hike: Google Maps-friendly (~1hr leisurely pace). 🏡 Stay: Book near Altstadt for walkability. #Aachen #Charlemagne #HikingAdventures #GermanyTravel