Why not spend your spring holidays on one of the most iconic and legendary festivals in the world? Enjoy some entertaining open air days at Britain's Glastonbury Festival. For an unforgettable road trip, combine it with one of Germany's cultural highlights: Cologne. Boasting with live music venues and bars.
On the way, explore beautiful historical places. Stroll along cobbled pavements and timbered houses and discover the breathtaking architecture of medieval cathedrals. Don’t miss the recommended spots along: authentic pubs, cozy live venues, and funky record stores. Always worth a detour. Enjoy some relaxed sightseeing days. Always accompanied by the tunes of the real big players in Rock, Pop, and Indie.
This trip will lead you from Cologne to Rouen & Mont-Saint-Michel in France. Afterwards, cross the Channel and discover Jersey's sunny beaches before heading to idyllic Shaftesbury and Wells in Southern Britain. Learn about the myths around Glastonbury town.
Our recommended subTOUR includes 4 or 5 nights along the route in between Cologne and Glastonbury. But it's up to you to extend or shorten the trip as you like. Also get our ultimate tips for some extra days before the festival: Cologne is always a good choice for an overnight on top.
This trip is easiest done by car, whether your own or a rental one. Always a great choice for camper vans rentals in Germany is Roadsurfer. So sleeping in a proper bed, a camper van, or your tent? Get in touch with us if you prefer hand-picked camping sites instead of the recommended hotels for your overnight stays along the way. Prefer something special and personal? Landvergnuegen lists all camping pitches in Germany available at rural farms, wineries and similar.
Want to combine Munich instead of Cologne? Also check out our Munich to Glastonbury tour.
If you fly in to Glasto and rather do a road trip around the festival up to Wales, have a look at our Around Glastonbury tour.
Cologne (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
For those flying in from abroad, the city of Cologne may be a great first stopover on this tour. Cologne is one of the most populated cities in Germany with famous Cologne Cathedral telling of the city's rich medieval heritage.
The student town is a major cultural centre for the region, with numerous museums and galleries as well as art exhibitions. Explore Cologne's vibrant inner districts with an abundance of restaurants and bars. Visit a gig in one of the live music venues. And discover your new favourite disc from one of the record shops before heading on to your road trip.
When around, why not combine your road trip to Glastonbury with another Rock festival? Rock am Ring annually takes place further south.
Rouen (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Today's destination is Rouen, France. Start early as it's quite a long way. The capital of the Normandy was once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe.
It is mainly known for impressive Rouen Cathedral, which was the subject of a series of paintings by famous artist Claude Monet. Stroll along the narrow streets of the city exploring medieval architecture and marvellous old houses. Perhaps you also take your time for a live concert or vinyl shopping?
Hotel tip: fancy a detour in between for an overnight on top? Try Best Western La Metairie hotel, surrounded by tranquil idyllic landscape.
Le Mont-Saint-Michel (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler )
After spending the night in Rouen, make your way westwards until breathtaking Mont-Saint-Michel at the Normandy coast. The monastery from the 11th century is built in Romanesque style and set on an island just across the coast.
As one of France's most renowned landmarks, it is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. So it's definitely the place to spend some hours before heading on to Saint-Malo.
Saint-Malo (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler )
For the overnight stop, choose the area of picturesque Saint-Malo. The walled city has a long history of piracy, earning much wealth from local extortion and overseas adventures. The rough sea, the medieval cathedral and long stretched beaches welcome you. As do live music venues, restaurants, and bars.
Accommodation tip: Campanile Saint-Malo is located outside the main town, but perfectly located for taking the ferry the next day.
Saint Helier (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
This morning, take the ferry to Jersey Island, largest of the Channel Islands.
St Helier is main town with an abundance of nice shops, bars, and restaurants. Take your time exploring the island. Whether you're up for a relaxed stroll through the idyllic town shopping vinyl or exploring the rich history of Jersey - follow our recommended spots for a unique experience. Prefer a more strenuous hike along rough coastal ways? Enjoy stunning views on the wild sea and onto the tranquil landscape. Or why not spend a day at one of the long stretched beaches?
Hotel tip: spend 1 or 2 nights in Best Western Royal Hotel, located perfectly for discovering St Helier by foot.
Shaftesbury (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
It's hard to leave Jersey, but the ferry will take you to mainland UK the next day.
Why not discover the place of an Oasis cover in Bournemouth? On your further way inland, today's destination is Shaftesbury, an idyllic town offering beautiful views onto the rural countryside. It is even possible to see as far as Glastonbury Tor to the northwest. Sightseeing highlight is Gold Hill, a scenic narrow lane with picturesque houses.
Hotel tip: marvellous The Coppleridge Inn is your last hotel stop before you will arrive at Glastonbury Festival the other day.
Glastonbury Festival (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
This is the day. Make your final miles up to Glastonbury Festival today. The huge five-day festival of contemporary performing arts is annually attended by around 175,000 people. In addition to modern music, it hosts dance and comedy sessions, lectures, movie screenings, along theatre, circus & cabaret performances. Everything deeply inspired by the ethos of the hippie and counterculture movement.
Glasto takes place in an area steeped in symbolism, mythology and religious traditions dating back many hundreds of years. It’s where King Arthur might be buried, and where Joseph of Arimathea is said to have walked.
Enjoy your festival days and join our recommendations for sightseeing around the festival site. Especially Cheddar Gorge or Wells are worth a visit.
Hotel tip: Stoberry House & Gardens is heaven on earth. There's no better way to relax from the festival buzz.
Cologne based Rock with dialect lyrics
Punk Rock since the 70s
Pop meets Cologne dialect
Former Vocal Pop formation
