The trip was found very interesting, as they followed the Meuse River a great deal of the way. Between Liège and Verviers the country was wonderfully picturesque, with the pretty winding river, which they continually crossed, and little villages with the mountains in the distance.
The Meuse has been called the miniature Rhine.
Verviers is the last Belgian station, and Aix-la-Chapelle is the first town of much interest in Germany.
From the train there was an excellent view of the city, which has seen many changes since it was the favorite home of Charlemagne.
For more than three centuries the German emperors were crowned there.
It was growing dark as Cologne was reached, but the girls, knowing the cathedral was near the station, hurried outside to see it, and how wonderfully high and beautiful the noble great spires looked in the twilight no one can imagine who has never seen them.
Tuesday morning was spent in visiting the Church of St. Ursula (which is reputed to hold the bones of eleven thousand virgins martyred by the Huns) and the cathedral.
An excellent guide showed our party around, and pointed out the beautiful windows which King Ludwig presented, costing eighteen thousand pounds, English money.
The late King Frederick gave one elegant window, at the end opposite the entrance.
On one side of the building were windows made by Albert Dürer, considered Germany's greatest artist.
A large gold cross, presented by Marie de Medici, and costing an enormous sum of money, Alice thought was more beautiful than the windows.
On the way back to the hotel they met a company of soldiers who were singing as they marched along. It seemed very inspiring.
Wednesday morning this happy party took the train for Mayence up the Rhine, as the boats, they found, were not yet running.
Alice and Nellie had been reading up the legends of the Rhine, and could hardly wait to see its beauties and wonders.
The Rhine was not reached until after leaving Bonn. The scenery was so pretty they did not miss the river views.
In full view of the train was the famous avenue of horse-chestnuts, three-quarters of a mile in length. There is a large university at Bonn, and many other schools. As many of the students in their different costumes came to the station and walked up and down the platform to show themselves, the girls were very much amused.