Little moss, but a lot going on -
Raise your hands, it's the weekend!

Ghent – Europe's Veggie Capital
The city of Ghent set out in 2009 to become the vegetarian capital of Europe, encouraging its citizens to refrain from meat and fish on Thursdays. The “Donderdag Veggiedag” aims to contribute to climate protection and reduce the city’s CO2 emissions. Alongside this initiative, Ghent now boasts relatively more vegetarian and vegan restaurants than metropolises like London or Paris. Like many cities in Flanders, Ghent enchants with colorful houses along the river and quaint shops to explore.

How do you get there?
You can reach Ghent in about two and a half hours by train. If you’re under 26, you can take advantage of the Youth Ticket offered by the Belgian railway company. For just €11 per journey, you can travel from Aachen to any Belgian destination, provided you stick to regional trains. You can purchase the ticket at the SNCB ticket machine (the one with the blue "B") at Aachen Central Station or conveniently online.

Maastricht – Vintage Shopping
Maastricht is the nearest Dutch city and is therefore one of the most popular destinations for Aachen students. In addition to a beautiful riverfront and what is probably the city’s most visited bookstore, located in an old Dominican church, Maastricht offers a vibrant vintage scene. Every Saturday, a flea market takes place at the town hall where you can find second-hand clothes and antique furniture. A special highlight occurs on the second weekend of September when an entire district transforms into the “Wyck Vintage Fashion Market,” delighting fashion enthusiasts.

How do you get there?
With your semester ticket, you can travel for free on the RE18 train to Maastricht. Alternatively, the Arriva bus line 350 departs from several bus stops in Aachen city center, such as the Elisenbrunnen. In both cases, the journey takes just over an hour.

Eifel – Sports in Nature
Are you in the mood for an outing in nature? You don’t need to cross the border for that! In the so-called Venn foreland, the part of the Eifel closest to Aachen, there are plenty of opportunities to fill your weekend with activities. For example, you can climb high into the trees at the Hürtgenwald climbing park. Water lovers are also catered for, as there are many providers at Rursee that rent out canoes or stand-up paddleboards. If after a fun-filled day you’d rather fall straight into bed than bike back to Aachen, consider pitching your tent at a nearby campsite!

How do you get there?
You can easily reach Rursee and its surroundings using the most environmentally friendly mode of transport – the bicycle! This will get you to your destination in about two to three hours. Keep in mind that the Eifel is a medium mountain range, so you may encounter some elevation during your bike ride. Of course, larger towns can also be reached by bus, which you can use for free with your semester ticket.