Have you heard about the Treaty of Maastricht?  It’s not a well known document, but it is an important one – the document that created the European Union (writes Andy Hayes). It was signed in Maastricht, a town in the south of the Netherlands within steps of three different countries. Today, I’d like to take you to one of the three countries that come together here – Germany – and one of the fantastic little towns perfect for a weekend getaway: Aachen.

Only a few miles from Holland and Belgium, the city is not exactly hot tourist material. That’s because you do need a handful of German language skills, or at least be adept at hand signals, to get around. It also doesn’t have hundreds of tourist attractions, but what it lacks in quantity (not important, in my opinion) it makes up for in quality. 

History

Aachen was a capital city of the empire of Charlemagne, a Catholic Emperor who brought the Frankish empire to this corner of Europe. Many texts refer to Charlemagne as the ‘Father of Europe,’ as he brought together many of the craftsman of the time and thinkers in what one could consider a very very early form of the European Union, at the time called the Carolingian Renaissance.

This influence is seen today in a few places in Aachen. The first and foremost is Aachen Cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the first heritage sites to be designated. It is one of the oldest cathedrals in northern Europe and is the burial place for Charlemagne. While you are here, be sure to visit the cathedral treasury; while not showy, it is one of the most important collections in Europe.

Another historical building that is a must-see is the City Hall – apparently, visitors to the city during the time of Charlemagne saw this massive building and thought it was actually the cathedral.  The building is huge, but I think it’s the fact that it is on higher ground that causes the confusion. Today, the square out front is a popular meeting place for students – there are two universities in Aachen.


Walking, shopping, eating

Just doing a bit of a walk around Aachen can really be relaxing. There are a couple of pedestrian zones, Adalbertstrasse and Grosskölnstrasse, where you’ll find plenty of shops to stock up on Euro fashions and souvenirs. The highlight for me is the public art – there is tons of it, and it’s not this ultra-cutting edge stuff we see now, but just some quaint and interesting sculptures and statues; you almost walk past them at first. Also be sure to have a walk around the Aachen Opera House – it has a beautiful portico that is wonderfully lit at night.

To keep your energy up during all that wandering around, you’ll need some sustenance. Nobis Bakery is a top recommendation, where you can get cakes and rolls; be sure to sample the printen (gingerbread-like cookies). In the markets, there are little places to buy waffles and sweets; ice cream shops also abound – they can be hit or miss, but they’re always super inexpensive. For hearty dinners, head to the Aachener Brauhaus; it is without question for the tourists, but the food is good so I can’t complain.

Relaxing

This was the highlight of my visit, and it was not what I had planned. You see, the original idea to visit Aachen came from a close German friend, so I admittedly arrived very unprepared. However, after some of the walks and enjoying the great café culture, I found a brochure for the Carolus Thermen spa (link here), which is just on the outskirts of town (a quick taxi ride). Even if spas are not your thing, I would highly recommend this place as it is so wonderful. There are so many pools and saunas of varying temperatures, and the spas connect both indoors and outdoors, so the site is perfect in any weather and at times feels more like a waterpark than a spa.  I should mention that this is continental Europe, so expect to be naked as everyone else will be!

When to go

Aachen is a place most enjoyable during the warmer summer months, but don’t dismiss a fall or spring getaway. In December, Aachen hosts a Christmas market that is very popular – many say it is second only to Cologne for the markets in the north-west of the country.

About the author

Andy Hayes is a UK-based travel journalist, published author, and tourism industry entrepreneur. When not exploring the backroads of Europe, he’ll be found catching a flight to a new, exciting destination abroad.

www.sharingtravelexperiences.com