Bonn is in a great location to see so many things in Europe. Here is a list of places that you can get to in 2-5 hours if you want to spend a night or 2 away.
Destinations 2-3 hours
Vianden, Luxembourg
Distance: two hour drive
Location: across the border of Germany.
Description: Vianden is a tiny village nestled in a valley with a river running through it. You can take a self guided tour of the castle that sits above the city. www.castle-vianden.lu.
Kassel, Germany
Distance: About a 2 hour drive,
Location: east of Bonn.
Description: Home of the Brothers Grimm and Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, a World Heritage Site. Absolutely picturesque, with tons of waterfalls, a castle, a palace, and this GIGANTIC Hercules Waterfall monument thing! A beautiful uphill hike, with many stops on the way.
Trier
Distance: 2 hours
Location: Southwest on the Moselle
Description: An old Roman town located in Germany. Several Roman sights still visible. Birthplace of Karl Marx.
Heidelberg
Distance: 2 hours 10 minutes
Location: south
Description: One of Germany’s major tourist draws with strong architectural unity since most of the town was built in the 1600s. The museums Technik Museum Speyer and Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim are nearby will appeal to those interested in planes, trains and automobiles.
Deidesheim
Distance: 2 hours
Location: south, near Heidelberg
Description: A popular and picturesque village on the German wine road.
Wissembourg/Alsace
Distance: 2.5 hours
Location: Alsace, France
Description: beautiful section of France in the Vosges mountains. Lots of good food, hiking and biking. They have a folk celebration at Pentecost/Whitsun.
Destinations 3-5 hours away
Amsterdam/Holland
Distance: 3 hours
Location: North, Holland
Description: Amsterdam is a beautiful city with lots for the tourist to do. Actually, Holland in general has a lot to offer, and you could go there lots of weekends and not see enough. There is an outdoor museum (mini- traditional town) just outside of Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans. To go see the tulips, take a trip to Keukenhof in April. To see a cute town and the original of the famous pottery, visit Delft. To experience the windmills in action, visit Kinderdijk. See this post of best day trips from Amsterdam for more details. For more inspiration, look at Holland's Prettiest Towns, Most Beautiful Towns in Holland on Canals, There are also loads of castles. The biggest is Kasteel de Haar. You can even stay in a castle as many are hotels.
Rothenburg an der Tauber
Distance: 3 hours
Location: south east of Frankfurt
Description: Well preserved walled medieval city with several museums (including a torture museum!)
Bamberg
Distance: 3 ½ hours
Location: south of Frankfurt
Description: charming medieval town with several canals and museums, churches. Known also for its large number of old breweries. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Bruges
Distance: 3 hours
Location: Belgium
Descripton: Charming town known for its canals and well preserved center. Also a center for chocolate!
Colmar
Distance: 4 hours
Location: France, due South across Rhine
Description: Adorable town with a little canal, cobblestone streets and timber-framed house, and French food!! It's supposed to have a really nice Christmas Market.
Paris
Distance: 4.5 hours
Location: France
Description: Oh la la! You probably know enough without us adding anything!
