Camping tour to the Eifel: From Hamburg via Bremen, Cologne & Brühl

Camping tour in the Eifel – One road trip, two girls and three places – the camping tour in the Eifel was an unforgettable experience.
Never before have we been able to discover, experience and see so much in just a few days.
It was a city, relaxation and adventure vacation all in one.
We had a great time sightseeing, shopping and partying in the old town.
We got our adrenaline kick at the first sight in Bremen when we came across real mummies in St. Peter’s Cathedral.
But that wasn’t enough for us.
That’s why we went on several rollercoaster rides at the Phantasialand theme park the next day.
We were probably only able to completely relax in the national park.
The breathtaking impressions of nature and stars are a memory that will last forever.
We were able to observe the Milky Way with the naked eye.
We take you with us on our short road trip with a roof tent!

Tour planning in the Eifel: route and stops

Semester break at last!
After a stressful time, I’ve been looking forward to this short trip for days.
Once across Germany.
We’ve visited the North Sea and Baltic Sea countless times with my best friend.
Now we wanted to try something new – the largest federal state in Germany, NRW! In a city like Hamburg, we are constantly surrounded by lights, noise and crowds.
The Eifel and the national park offer the complete opposite.
Deep blue lakes, vast reservoirs and blossoming nature provide an undisturbed habitat for dozens of animal species.
It is a natural spectacle that is a real experience, especially for city kids.
Now it’s time to pack seven things and get into the jeep with the new roof tent.
Well, packing is probably not going to be that easy.
The checklist for packing is a long one and yet it says you should only take the most important things with you when camping.
It’s the first time we’ve really been on our own and of course you don’t want to forget anything.
There are so many avoidable little things that could ultimately lead to real chaos if done incorrectly, so we are overly cautious.
We’ve even put together a checklist for non-perishable food.

• Distance: 536 km
• Route: From Hamburg via A1
• Travel time: 6 hrs 8 min

On the road with the roof tent: route planning

My best friend’s father has bought a new roof tent.
Just the right time to test it out.
But before we set off, it was important to have a rough plan.
The most common rookie mistakes are caused by poor preparation in advance.
So our first step was to see where we were planning our route.
There are several beautiful cities along the way, from Hamburg to the Eifel.
It was important to me that we spend a day in Cologne.
I had a little surprise up my sleeve that would be the absolute highlight of the trip.
Cologne and the surrounding area also offer plenty of attractions, historical landmarks and sights.

Sightseeing and camping by the lake – stop 1

• Bremen
• Weser & Werdersee

Adrenaline & city exploration – stop 2

• Cologne
• Brühl

A closeness to nature & a sense of freedom – Stop 3

• Eifel National Park

Here you can see the national park in full bloom!

Bremen: Sightseeing & Camping – Stage destination 1

Our first stop is only 1.5 hours from Hamburg – the musical city of Bremen.
Sometimes you live in close proximity to such beautiful places and never appreciate them enough.
It is well known that we Germans are drawn to faraway places or to the warmth.
Yet Bremen was a real dream city.
An interactive science museum, a private art gallery and beautiful alleyways adorn Bremen’s city center.
And where better to relax than on the Weser.
It’s perfect for a romantic picnic or a bike ride, and if you’re traveling without a bike like we are, it’s also worth taking a boat trip along the Weser.

Route and route planning: Hamburg to Bremen

• Distance: 126 km
• Route: From Hamburg via A1
• Travel time: 1 hr 24 min
• Arrival (planned): 10:24

Eating out in Bremen: My restaurant tip

We were so excited that we didn’t eat anything proper, so the first thing on our road trip was to find a good restaurant.
The restaurant “Gatsby Burger” had very good reviews and was named the best burger in Bremen.
We didn’t need to be told twice and played taster straight away.
The ambience and the idea were very charming.
Just like in the movie of the same name with Leonardo DiCaprio, everything is in a wooden, luxurious style, inspired by the Golden 20s.
The burger was very tasty, well seasoned and just the way we wanted it. Address:

• Gatsby Burger
• Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 8
• 28199 Bremen, Germany

City map: The northern German Hanseatic city

Places of interest: Bremen Town Musicians, Town Hall & Roland

Who doesn’t know it?
The story of four old animals who were doomed to die but decided to become town musicians and accidentally scared off robbers.
These very bronze figures from the classic German fairy tale can be found in the middle of Bremen.
It was a childhood dream come true to see them in real life.
They don’t sing, but my younger self would have been happy.
Of course, we weren’t far from the landmarks, Bremen’s town hall and Roland statue.
They were also magnificent to look at with their elaborately designed façades.

  But the real highlight for all amateur photographers was the “Schnoor” district.
The oldest quarter is probably also the most beautiful quarter in Bremen.
Perfect for snapping a few Polaroids.
Strolling through the winding alleyways makes you forget the time and reminds you of a vacation in Italy.

1. The Bremen Town Musicians
2. Bremen Town Hall
3. Bremen Roland
4. Schlachte waterfront promenade
5. Böttcherstrasse
6. Schnoor (oldest quarter)
7. St. Peter’s Cathedral
8. Bremen Universe
9. Bremen Art Gallery
10. The Weser

If you are interested in culture but also want to experience the spook of your life, you have to visit St. Petri Cathedral.
A beautiful church that holds 1200 years of history also has a dark secret.
– Real mummies!
The mummies were discovered in the so-called lead cellar during the construction of the organ.
They have been on display there ever since.
Although we now know who is hiding behind the mummified corpses, there are still unanswered questions.

Overnight stay and campsite

After an energetic day in Bremen, we decided to drive to the campsite early to get the next day off to a productive start.
We camped at HanseCamping for the night and let our minds wander.
After so many kilometers of exploring the city, we probably fell asleep faster than small children.
But it was very spacious and we were still able to enjoy our privacy in the large area.

HanseCamping

HanseCamping (address: Hochschulring 1 in 28359 Bremen) with 233 pitches for campers on a total area of 5.3 ha and a plot size of 100-145 m².
The price per person is 12.00 euros, children 6.50 euros and the stand fee 11.50 euros, payable in cash, Maestro, Mastercard, Visa.
Read more: HanseCamping Directions, address and camper capacities at HanseCamping:

• Address: Hochschulring 1 in 28359 Bremen, Germany
• Location: Bremen
• 233 pitches for campers
• 25 pitches for permanent campers
• 100-145 m² plot size
• Total size in ha: 5.3
• Directions (Google Maps): HanseCamping

Cologne: Shopping & Party – Stage 2

“Viva Colonia” was playing on the radio as we drove into Cologne, a pretty funny coincidence.
My first thought was: “I hope everyone here doesn’t talk like that!”.
Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.
Cologne is a big city, so it wasn’t exactly easy to find your way around.
Nevertheless, the sights were all very central and close to each other.
The restaurants also offered a breathtaking view of the Rhine.
The ambience and atmosphere at sunset was indescribable.
We were still joking around about how romantic it would be to have a boyfriend now.
But then we quickly realized that being single in Cologne would never be boring with so many parties on offer.

Route and route planning: Bremen to Cologne

• Distance: 315 km
• Route: From Bremen via A1
• Travel time: 3 hrs 57 min
• Arrival (planned): 20:00

Must-see: sights, culture & shopping

The well-known big city problem – lots to discover in little time.
Fortunately, public transport in Cologne is very well connected and developed, so we were able to see quite a lot of Cologne in just one day.
Our first stop was Cologne Cathedral, which was very convenient as it is located right next to Cologne Central Station.
The Gothic-style cathedral was an architectural masterpiece.
We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to climb the tower.
We climbed up to over 150 meters.
It was really exhausting, but the view from there made us forget our exhaustion for a brief moment. We’ve been friends for 10 years now and wanted to do something cheesy for our friendship anniversary.
So, like all the couples, we got ourselves a castle and tied it to the Hohenzollern Bridge.
I mean, it’s probably more likely that our friendship will last longer than all those teenage relationships.
Another essential part of our trip to Cologne was a shopping tour.
The Schildergasse is perfect for this.
Between clothing stores, electronics stores and drugstores, you can also find culinary specialties from all over the world.
Top sights in Cologne:

1. Cologne Cathedral
2. Love locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge
3. Chocolate Museum
4. Cologne Triangle / LVR Tower
5. Rhine boulevard with huge flight of steps on the banks of the Rhine
6. Chlodwigplatz with the Severinstorburg castle
7. Shopping in the Schildergasse
8. Old town
9. Cologne Zoo
10. Museum Ludwig with Picasso’s works

After our long shopping trip, we were already feeling a little sore from walking.
With the good weather, the perfect place to relax was the steps on the banks of the Rhine.
Just like in the movies, all kinds of people sat there and gazed out at the shimmering Rhine.
From time to time, you could watch the ships and ferries as they slowly passed along the Rhine.
The sun shone on our heads and melted the ice in our hands.
But the day wasn’t over yet.
Because now it would really get going.
The party mile in the Friesenviertel and us right in the middle of it.
It was an unforgettable evening with good music, lots of people and a great atmosphere!

City map: Cologne

Overnight stay and campsite

After the long night, we didn’t have much of the campsite itself, but we knew that in advance.
Nevertheless, the few hours of sleep did us good and suddenly it was already morning when we woke up.
We conjured up a delicious breakfast in no time at all with the gas stove. After a refreshing shower, we were in top shape again and it was time to put the roof tent together and set off on our new adventure.
Luckily, the next destination was only 30 kilometers away, which meant we didn’t lose much time.

Camping Berger – Cologne (125 pitches)

Camping Berger – Camping in Cologne (address: Uferstr. 71-73 in 50996 Cologne-Rodenkirchen) with 125 pitches for campers on a total area of 6 ha and a plot size of 100 m².
The price per person is 8.40 euros, children 3.15 euros and the stand fee is 9.45 euros, payable in cash.
Read more: Camping Berger in Cologne.
Directions, address and camper capacities at Camping Berger:

• Address: Uferstr.
  71-73 in 50996 Cologne-Rodenkirchen, Germany
• Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia
• 125 pitches for campers
• 18 rental accommodations
• 125 pitches for permanent campers
• 100 m² plot size
• Total size in ha: 6
• Directions (Google Maps): Camping Berger

Campsite of the city of Cologne – Cologne (140 places)

Campingplatz der Stadt Köln – Camping in Köln (address: Weidenweg 35 in 51105 Köln-Poll) with 140 pitches for campers on a total area of 1.8 ha.
Per person you pay 8,00 Euro, children 4,00 Euro and stand fee 20,00 – 30,00 Euro, payable by cash, Maestro, Mastercard, Visa.
Read more: Campsite of the city of Cologne in Cologne.
Directions, address and camper capacities at the City of Cologne Campsite:

• Address: Weidenweg 35 in 51105 Cologne-Poll, Germany
• Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia
• 140 pitches for campers
• Total size in ha: 1.8
• Directions (Google Maps): Campsite of the city of Cologne

My personal highlight: Phantasialand Brühl

The time had finally come!
After the fun we had in Cologne yesterday, it was time to unveil the long-awaited surprise.
I didn’t tell my best friend and we got into the car.
After 30 minutes we arrived and from afar you could already see the roller coasters, carousels and water rides towering into the sky.
The look on her face was unforgettable.
She would have expected anything, but not this!
Like two small children, we stormed off to the amusement park.
In the middle of the week, we were lucky that there were fewer customers so we never had to queue for more than 10 minutes.
Black Mamba, Taron and Chiapas – one roller coaster faster than the other!
After a few hours of pure adrenaline, we got hungry.
Fortunately, the selection there was just as varied as the theme parks themselves.
Whether Asian noodles with spring rolls, bratwurst, focaccia specialties or African rice pans, there really is something for every taste.
https://youtu.be/Xj8cy2-M6fQ

Eifel: Our final destination of the road trip

Finally arrived in pure nature.
Green as far as the eye can see, fresh air and the morning dew under your feet.
The Eifel National Park is hard to put into words.
After all the big city trips, the sightseeing, the party night and the trip to the theme park, the complete opposite was now the order of the day – peace and relaxation.
It was liberating to enjoy the silence and feel connected to nature.
We experienced a lot on our road trip and were literally overwhelmed by impressions.
The fact that there were no crowds of people in sight seemed unusual at first, but we more than needed it.
The 110 square kilometer nature reserve has many natural treasures to offer.
Many travelers venture into the Wild West of NRW on their own, we wanted to stay on the safe side as we were quite inexperienced.
The vast forests are intimidating, but we went on a guided hike with a ranger and learned a lot.
The distinctive hat, the brown clothes and the binoculars – the ranger looked like something out of a blockbuster, but that only made the atmosphere and the experience even more authentic.

Route and route planning: Brühl to the Eifel

• Distance: 39.1 km
• Route: From Brühl via L33
• Travel time: 0 hrs 34 min
• Arrival (planned): 21:00

Weather: temperature and trend

Rain showers are frequent in the Eifel with an average temperature of 9.4 degrees Celsius.
The best time to visit the Eifel is in June, July and August.
The Eifel is a worthwhile destination for mountaineers who want to get away from the Alps.

Weather today/ weather in 3 days

International Star Park: Incredible views

The internationally recognized star park in the Eifel was the perfect end to our trip.
Have you ever been able to see the Milky Way with the naked eye?
Most people will probably have to answer this question in the negative.
In most places, this is hardly possible due to the constant lighting or the weather-related visibility conditions.
The star park is the darkest place in Germany, which is why you can observe numerous constellations, shooting stars and even the Milky Way.
In addition, the astronomy workshop “Stars without borders” regularly offers events at the Vogelsang observatory.
Address:

• Stars without borders – Astronomy workshop
• Sülzgürtel 34, 50937 Cologne

The next morning dawned and it was time to say goodbye.
Something had to go wrong with our last homemade breakfast.
The cool box was probably not connected properly, because the milk for the morning coffee had unfortunately gone stale.
A black coffee is still better than no coffee at all.
After packing up, closing the roof tent again and applying the remaining bug spray, we set off on our journey back to Hamburg.
A few final preparations such as making sandwiches and then a 6-hour drive to Hamburg.
All in all, it was a wonderful short vacation that will definitely have to be repeated next year.
Where we will go then is still written in the stars.