Aachen Equestrian Festival
July 9 – July 18, 2016
We have always enjoyed Aachen, and the Aachen Equestrian Festival. It is a lovely city with charming architecture, good restaurants and our very comfortable hotel, the Aquis Grana, is by now an old friend. It is located in the city center, just a short walk from the main square, the Cathedral and the historic Rathaus. It will be a comfortable accommodation for our eight nights here.
Due to the popularity of the Aachen Festival to both Dressage and Show Jumping enthusiasts, not to mention Driving & Eventing followers, we will be repeating the program in 2017.
We have been in contact with the ticketing office regarding 2016, knowing from past experience that tickets must be organized far in advance, and they assure us we will have the tickets we require in order to have the best seats possible to the Dressage competitions. We will also plan on Show Jumping for the opening day ceremonies and the Final Four & Closing Ceremonies on Sunday. For those interested in the Show Jumping at the Aachen Festival, an outstanding series of competitions, we will have excellent season ticket seats available at an additional surcharge.
We have reserved space for just 22 people joining us, so if you have an interest in joining us in Aachen in 2016, it is best to reserve early.
Based on our previous visits to the Aachen Festival, we expect our program to be as follows:
Saturday, July 9: Depart for Aachen
Depart for Germany & Aachen today. Please arrange your flights to Dusseldorf which generally offers the best airfare and connections.
Sunday, July 10: Welcome to Germany
On arrival, you can take the train into central rail station and there connect to Aachen. Our hotel is a short taxi ride from the Aachen station. However, we will be arranging private transfers for those who wish, assembling arriving parties for the lowest cost. Our transfer service has working out very well in the past and with 2-4 passengers on a transfer, is quite reasonable, especially considering the airport direct to hotel service.
Enjoy the afternoon free to explore. Perhaps enjoy a walk up to the main square, the Marktplatz, lovely with the imposing Rathaus, welcoming pubs, restaurants and shops. We look forward to seeing you this evening at our cocktail party, prior to dinner overlooking the park.
Monday, July 11: Walking tour of Aachen
An expansive European buffet breakfast is included each morning. Today enjoy a walking tour of Aachen, once a Roman spa town, which still offers the “Aachen water”. The tour is delightful and during our walk we will visit the Cathedral, begun by Charlemagne. Later have lunch at one of the Marktplatz pubs.
Tuesday, July 12: The Aachen Equestrian Festival Begins
I suggest we walk to the Bushof together this morning, departing the hotel at 9. We have included tickets to the show jumping today (speed class) so that we can enjoy the opening ceremonies this afternoon. This will also give you an opportunity to see the stadium complex, take a first look at the many shops in the marketplace and the Deutsche Bank Stadium, the venue for Dressage.
Although there is not a dinner restaurant here at the Hotel Aquis Grana, you will find many nearby and a great variety, in any almost direction. We have our list of favorites.
Wednesday, July 13: Prix St George & Grand Prix CDI 4*
Today in the Deutsche Bank Stadium there will be a morning Prix St George and later a Grand Prix CDI 4*. The Driving dressage phase begins in the Driving Stadium. The marketplace here has a wonderful selection of vendors and includes a wide selection of dining options.
We enjoy a German dinner this evening at what is considered the best German restaurant in Aachen.
Thursday, July 14: Dressage CDIO Grand Prix
Today is the Grand Prix CDIO in the dressage stadium. Driving dressage continues in the Driving Stadium. In the main stadium there will be a variety of jumping competitions.
Friday, July 15: Eventing Dressage & Jumping, Evening Grand Prix Special
The Deutsche Bank Stadium will be the site of Eventing dressage phase this morning. Show Jumping continues in the main with some interesting events. This afternoon the Main Stadium is turned over to the eventers for the show Jumping phase.
If you would prefer to do some exploring, you can take a bus to Maastricht, Holland, today, just 45 minutes away, and spend time visiting this really lovely city with great restaurants and shops. Be back in time for this evening in the Deutsche Bank Stadium for FEI Intermediate II, a Quadrille Championship and the Grand Prix Special, a great evening.
Saturday, July 16: Grand Prix & Freestyle, Eventing Cross Country, Driving Marathon and Jumping
A very full day with a Grand Prix Special CDIO and FEI Grand Prix today in the Deutsche Bank Stadium; Eventing cross country phase followed by the marathon phase for the four-in-hand driving in the adjacent park and Jumping in the Main Stadium. This evening will feature the Grand Prix Freestyle and the “Best of Champions” in the Main Stadium.
Sunday, July 17: Rolex Grand Prix Show Jumping & the Dressage Freestyle
This is Grand Prix Day at the Aachen Festival with the Grand Prix of Aachen in Show Jumping and the Grand Prix Dressage of Aachen (Freestyle) in the Dressage stadium. We have included tickets to both today so we hope the schedules do not conflict. The closing ceremonies follow the show jumping.
This evening we will gather for a reception at our hotel followed by dinner at a lovely nearby restaurant.
Monday, July 18: Depart for home
Farewell to Aachen today. We will arrange for a morning coach transfer to Dusseldorf Airport.
Estimated costs per person: $2,595 twin or double basis; $3,195 single basis
Program includes: 8 nights hotel accommodations with buffet breakfast daily; 2 receptions and dinners; half day walking tour with lunch; excellent reserved seat admission to the Aachen Festival (season ticket for all Dressage competitions as well as Show Jumping Tuesday and Sunday for the Opening & Closing Ceremonies. Show Jumping season ticket available at additional cost – TBA); services of Equestrian Tours host; daily transfers to the venue provided by the city of Aachen.
