Bildungsurlaub: Vier Länder West

Five days of borderless cycling! Enjoy European freedom of movement in the varied landscape of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany! The seminar offers dark and curious aspects of border history as well as plenty of natural history. Cross-border projects in nature conservation and municipalities are concrete examples of cooperation between the three countries. Guided city tours complement the experiences on the way.

* Only one place is still available for 02.06. - 06.06. The period 14.07. - 18.07. is fully booked *.

Five days of borderless cycling between Aachen, Maastricht and Roermond! Every day offers a different landscape, every day new aspects and a different city. Five days of nature and culture, natural history and history - and five days to literally experience a piece of this United Europe!
The Maastricht Treaties came into force in 1993. They are the basis for the euro, freedom of movement and European citizenship. They express the unconditional will for cooperation and mutual trust. Since then, borders within the EU have become increasingly less important. Nevertheless, borders are still sensitive areas today.

In addition to aspects of European history and its impact on borders, the seminar offers opportunities to get to know Europe's neighboring countries a little better.
Cross-border cooperation projects will be presented: In nature conservation - in the face of climate change and species extinction - and in municipal cooperation.
Natural history sheds light on ecological networks and helps to develop ideas for social coexistence.
What nature and the landscape have to offer at this time of year, what suits the seminar and what interests the participants can be used to answer the question: How European are we already?

• Aachen-Maastricht. Along the Belgian-Dutch border. Between Doodendraat and the Margraten military cemetery, it becomes clear how difficult the path to freedom of movement was.
• Maastricht and the EU treaties. Past the world's largest fort to a tower of peace.
• Maastricht-Thorn. In between, a peaceful and beautiful river landscape. The Meuse Valley is a huge sustainable development project. A detour to the western tip of Germany on the way.
• Thorn-Herzogenrath. The Meuse lakes and the White City of Thorn. A day between history, natural history and climate change.
• Herzogenrath-Aachen. Kerkrade and Herzogenrath's attempt to be a European city.

We have our luggage on the bike!

Objective:

The participants:

• experience the natural areas close to the border in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine
• explore the concrete opportunities offered by a common Europe - also with regard to climate change
• gain an insight into the common life of the neighboring countries, also by deepening their knowledge of the common border history in the West
• deal with different forms of living together - socially and ecologically - and thus reflect on their own attitude towards the European idea

Target group:

• The seminar is open to all employees.

*The seminar is recognized as educational leave for continuing political education in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Thuringia and Berlin. The event is organized in cooperation with the Bildungswerk der Heinrich Böll Stiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen e. V.

You can request the offer "Bildungsurlaub: Vier Länder West " from the provider Rureifel Tourismus GmbH here.

September 21, 2026 to September 25, 2026