This year I decided to escape from carnival parties and went to Essen to visited a friend of mine there. Together we booked a guided tour through the complex of Zeche Zollverein - and we were the only ones on this Saturday afternoon who wanted to join the last guided tour of the day, so it was a private tour for us. ;-)

The guide formerly worked in this coal mining complex and so he could tell us many things he experienced during his time there. It was interesting to get to know how this whole cole mining thing goes on. Nowadays most buildings are used for exhibitions, concerts etc. ... nice to visit, when you spend a day in Essen. And don't miss the beautiful synagogue in Essen's city centre.