The trip started with a jam-packed day of cultural visits. First up was the Schokoladenmuseum (chocolate museum) where boys learned all about the history of the family behind Lindt chocolate, as well as Fair Trade cocoa growing, and they saw the production process first hand. Pupils particularly enjoyed the shiny button which, when pressed, released small square chocolates upon demand! Rumour has it there’s a petition starting to get one of these installed in the dining hall…  

Next was a visit to Cologne’s iconic cathedral, which dates back to 1248! A brave group of around 20 pupils took on the challenge to climb the 533 steps to a viewing platform in one of the towers, 100 metres above ground. Once back down on the ground, we travelled over to the neighbouring town of Leverkusen to visit the Bay Arena, home stadium of the Bayer Leverkusen football team. Pupils had a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, and it’s fair to say there are a few Leverkusen fans now at Warwick! After dinner, pupils entered a psychedelic world of mini golf. The course was a labyrinth of holograms and neon lights, but there were plenty of holes in one to be celebrated!  

On Tuesday, the adrenalin was pumping as we spent the day at one of Germany’s iconic theme parks, Phantasialand! German engineering in the form of high-speed roller coasters was on full display here. A highlight for many on the trip was the evening meal after a day of roller coasters; we sat down in the ‘Kleine Glocke’ restaurant to enjoy Schnitzel mit Pommes, which was the perfect way to refuel after a day of physical and emotional highs.  

In contrast, Wednesday was a gentle day of cultural visits, starting at the Marksburg Castle, and then a very pleasant river cruise on the Rhein, from St. Goarshausen to Kaub. To cool off out of the sunshine, we enjoyed another German specialty; Spaghettieis at the Deutsches Eck where the Rhein and Moselle rivers meet. All 39 pupils were brilliant representatives of the school, and brilliant memories have been made by all.