Visiting Aachen
 

I will be travelling from Amsterdam to <BR>Brussels through Maastricht (southern Holland). Maastricht is near Aachen (Germany). Do you recommend to visit Aachen <BR>and how long I need to be there to see <BR>the town? Thanks. Dan <BR>

I stopped once en route from Maastricht to Ccologne for about 2 hours. I enjoyed it a lot, and thought it was regrettable that my schedule didn't allow me a full day or even better, perhaps an overnight. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

You can see most of the historical interests in a few hours - Charlemagne's throne, cathedral, & rathaus. They are all in the center of town very close to each other. My favorite place was the rathaus. <BR>

I think that one full day is enough to enjoy the city. It is a small city and compact around the Rathause and Dom. Make sure that get some Aachen Preten while there. A special cookie made there, very good with different variations. Also try to have a snack or pastrie at the Alt Aachener coffee House. On one of the streets leading away from the square,(behind the Rathaus I believ) It is an old coffe house with the walls decorated with lots of old cookie molds.

Aachen is a great city - I've been there a few times and never get tired of going to the cathedral and the church treasury attached. They have some fascinating relics. Definitely worth the stop because of its historical significance.

The most important parts of the cathedral are visited only with a guided tour, so definitely take one.It can be booked at the entrance of the treasury,which is a small one ,but fantastic.The rathaus is open only after 2pm.There are some nice modern statues and fountains in the old city.

I really liked Aachen too. The cathedral is gorgeous, especially the older section of it, Charlemagne's chapel. As eva mentioned, to really see the cathedral, you need to take a guided tour. When I was there, they were had tours in German only; I don't understand much German, but the tour was interesting anyways. Don't miss the treasury, which is highly impressive with its array of gold reliquaries and other rich sundries. <BR> <BR>I spent a few days in Aachen, using it as a base, but you can see the high points in a day. If you decide you want to stay overnight, the Benelux is nice hotel. I'd love to go back to Aachen. Have a great time!