Grinnellian Adventures: Sustainability in Germany
July 7–17, 2026
Join Wayne Moyer, Professor of Political Science, in experiencing Germany’s leadership in sustainability, where innovation and environmental responsibility shape both modern life and historic preservation. This 11-day journey showcases how the country has become a model for integrating clean energy, green architecture, and conservation into thriving urban centers and protected natural areas. From Berlin’s pioneering climate initiatives to the revitalized landscapes of the Green Belt and the global sustainability work underway in Bonn, explore how Germany continues to inspire progress toward a more sustainable world.
Highlights
- Experience Berlin’s innovative approaches to urban sustainability, from the CO₂-neutral EUREF-Campus to the forward-looking exhibits at Futurium.
- Explore Berlin’s green spaces, including the ecological haven of Ökowerk and the international landscapes of the Gardens of the World; and take a tour of the city to learn about sustainability projects impacting the daily lives of residents.
- Cruise the Spree River aboard a solar-powered catamaran, the perfect emission-free way to see the city’s sights.
- Visit the Green Belt and the Point Alpha memorial site, a remarkable transformation of former Cold War territory into a thriving conservation area.
- Learn about sustainable practices in art, design, and industry during a visit to Cologne’s Museum of Applied Arts (MAKK), and take part in a hands-on upcycling workshop that transforms pineapple leaf fibers—a vegan leather substitute and by-product of the harvest—into a small keepsake of “climate protection for the pocket.”
- Meet with representatives at Bonn’s United Nations Campus, home to organizations advancing global sustainability initiatives.
Preview video
Faculty Leaders
Wayne Moyer
Professor of Political Science and Rosenfield Professor
His teaching has centered on international relations and U.S. foreign policy. He has team-taught several times the Policy Studies capstone seminar, “Applied Policy Analysis-Climate Change.” Professor Moyer currently is teaching a first-year tutorial, “Can and Will the World Respond Effectively to Climate Change?” He grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, received his B.A. from the University of Virginia, served several years as a U.S. Navy submarine officer, then went on to graduate study at Yale University, earning an M.A. in International Relations and a Ph.D. in Political Science. He joined the Grinnell faculty in August 1972, was promoted to the rank of professor in 1985, and received Senior Faculty Status in July 2025. Professor Moyer has served as Chair of the Political Science Department, Chair of the Social Studies Division, and Chair of the faculty. He directed the College’s Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations, and Human Rights from 1985-2008.
Early in his Grinnell career, Professor Moyer developed an interest in domestic and international agricultural policy, focusing on the U.S. and the European Union, which he pursued during sabbaticals in Washington, D.C. and the United Kingdom, with research trips to Brussels, Belgium, and Bonn, Germany. He has written two books with Stanford professor T.E. Josling: Agricultural Policy Reform: Politics and Process in the USA and European Community (1990, Harvester, Wheatsheaf) and Agricultural Policy Reform: The Politics and Process in the EU and US in the 1990s (Ashgate, 2002), as well as a variety of scholarly articles on related subjects. His current research focuses on the impact of climate change on farming and the implications for policy. Professor Moyer’s engaging style and global perspective make him an ideal guide for alumni eager to explore complex international issues through a Grinnellian lens. His leadership on this Grinnellian Adventure promises thoughtful dialogue, historical insight, and meaningful connection
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Itinerary — July 7–17, 2026
Included meals: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Depart home
Wednesday, July 8
Arrive Berlin, Germany | Optional city tour by bus | Welcome dinner
Upon arrival at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), you are met and transferred to our hotel in Berlin. Enjoy some time to relax and settle in or, if you arrive in time, join an optional city tour by bus for the perfect introduction to Berlin and its iconic landmarks. Gather this evening at our hotel for a welcome dinner. Four nights at the 4-star Mercure Hotel MOA Berlin. (D)
Thursday, July 9
Berlin by public transportation: EUREF-Campus, Reichstag German Parliament
This morning we take Berlin’s public transportation, a safe, sustainable, and comfortable way to move around the city, to EUREF-Campus. The Campus is a place of the future, where people work in the areas of energy, mobility, and sustainability, and has been meeting the CO2 climate targets set by the Federal Government since 2014. We take an inside look into a real-world laboratory shifting the city district to renewable energy. Next, we take public transportation to have lunch at and visit the Reichstag Building, seat of the national parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour and hear about the ways the government is supporting sustainable endeavors. The balance of the day and dinner are at leisure. (B,L)
Friday, July 10
Berlin: Futurium, Spree River city cruise, Ökowerk
After breakfast we visit Futurium, a museum of the future. Futurium is “a house of futures” that showcases an exhibition with living scenarios that include three forces always playing together: Human, Nature, and Technology. It also has a lab where everyone can get involved in experimenting, testing, and inventing. Next, we take a cruise on the Spree River aboard a solar-powered catamaran. This is the perfect emission-free way to see the city sights such as East Side Gallery (the longest existing section of the Berlin Wall), the Molecule Men, and Treptower Park. After an independent lunch, we drive and then walk two miles to Ökowerk, former waterworks located in the center of Grundewald Forest. After exploring this unique nature conservation area in the middle of Berlin, full of species-rich habitats, we return to our hotel where the balance of the day and dinner are on your own. (B)
Saturday, July 11
Berlin by public transportation: Humboldt Forum, Gardens of the World, Cable car ride
We begin our day, by public transportation, exploring the Humboldt Forum, a museum located in the reconstructed Berlin Palace, and a place where art, culture, and science are explored, debated, and exhibited. Next, we enjoy discovering the green space of Gardens of the World, a place offering insights to international gardens from different epochs, cultures, and continents. We then view Berlin from a different perspective, taking in the scenery from over the Gardens of the World, Berlin, and beyond, while riding Berlin’s only cable car, which connects the Kienburg underground station with the Gardens of the World visitor center. After an independent lunch and afternoon at leisure, we gather for dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant where the chef focuses on locally sourced ingredients to create an unforgettable dining experience. (B,D)
Sunday, July 12
Green Belt: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön, Point Alpha memorial site | Fulda
This morning we depart Berlin and embark on a journey to Fulda. After an approximately four-hour drive (stopping along the way for an independent lunch), we stop at the Green Belt, one of Germany’s largest nature reserves, which runs along the former inner German border that separated the old Federal Republic of Germany from the German Democratic Republic for more than 40 years. On a guided walking tour, we visit the Point Alpha memorial site, once the hottest point of the Cold War and one of the most important NATO observation posts. Continue on to Fulda, where we check-in to our hotel. Gather for dinner this evening at our hotel. Overnight at the 4-star Maritim Hotel am Schlossgarten Fulda. (B,D)
Monday, July 13
Bonn: Sustainability tour
After breakfast, we depart Fulda and drive to Bonn, stopping along the way for an independent lunch. Upon arrival in Bonn, we take a tour of the city and learn about its sustainability projects impacting the daily lives of residents, urban gardening, sustainability aspects in the retail sector, and efforts being made in the transportation sector. We check-in to our hotel and gather for dinner. Four nights at the 4-star Dorint Hotel Bonn. (B,D)
Tuesday, July 14
Cologne: Flora and Botanical Garden, Museum of Applied Arts Cologne (MAKK), walking tour | Bonn
Today, we drive to Cologne, a 2,000-year-old city spanning the Rhine River, to spend a full day. We begin with a visit to the Flora and Botanical Garden, established in 1864 and today a 13-acre park. Next, we visit MAKK, one of the largest institutions for applied art in Germany. As a future-oriented museum, MAKK is consciously pursuing sustainable goals in line with the 2030 Agenda, such as reducing its environmental footprint by using environmentally friendly materials and sustainable construction practices. After touring the museum exhibits, we will participate in Workshop Upcycling: Pineapple with a difference, learning about a vegan leather substitute that is the by-product of the pineapple harvest, and making our own piece of “climate protection for the pocket.” After an independent lunch, we re-group for a guided walking tour of Cologne, discovering the many facets of its past and present. A highlight of the tour is an exterior visit of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cologne Cathedral (explore the interior on your own), where we learn about its fascinating architectural history and famous works of art. Enjoy time at leisure in the old town before we return to Bonn. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B)
Wednesday, July 15
Bonn: United Nations Campus
We spend today on Bonn’s United Nations campus, where the UN is currently represented by more than 20 organizations. We will take a tour and meet with various representatives from a few of the organizations that are working on different aspects of sustainability. Lunch and dinner are on your own today. (B)
Thursday, July 16
Bonn: Rhine River cruise | Königswinter: Castle Drachenfels, Schauplatz Petersberg Visitor Center | Bonn: Farewell dinner
After breakfast, we take a cruise on the Rhine River to Königswinter, a small city on the banks of the Rhine that is watched over by a fairytale-like castle. From there, we take a vintage, cogwheel railway to Castle Drachenfels (“Dragon’s Rock”), the ruins of an early 12th-century castle. After a guided visit, we descend on the cogwheel railway to the base of the mountain and visit Schauplatz Petersberg Visitor Center, a former police guardhouse with a storied political past. We return to Bonn, and gather this evening for a farewell dinner. (B,D)
Friday, July 17
Fly home
Transfer as a group this morning (time TBD) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) for flights homeward. (B)
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Pricing
- Double Occupancy (18-20 participants): $6,245
- Double Occupancy (14-17 participants): $6,945
Single Supplement: $1,895
Single room supplement will be charged when requested or required (limited availability). With fewer than 14 participants, a small group surcharge may be applied.
Price Includes
- Grinnell College faculty leader Professor Wayne Moyer, an expert tour manager, and local guides.
- Group arrival and departure airport transfers on program dates
- Nine nights’ accommodations in well-located, 4-star hotels
- Delicious meals: Breakfast daily; 1 lunch; and 5 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners
- Ground transportation via private, air-conditioned vehicle and public transportation when possible
- Tickets and entrance fees for excursions as listed in the itinerary
- All gratuities for the tour manager, local guides, drivers, and waitstaff for included meals
- Parking fares, highway tolls, and local taxes
- Comprehensive pre-departure information, including a suggested reading/media guide, travel guide, and packing list
Price does not include
- Airfare from/to home
- Individual airport arrival or departure transfers
- Passport fees
- All airport fees and departure taxes
- Cost of personal, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance
- Transportation of excess baggage
- Baggage handling
- Meals and alcoholic or other beverages other than those listed
- All items of a personal nature such as medical expenses, laundry, taxi, room service, telephone/fax/Wi-Fi charges
- Optional excursions or deviations from scheduled tour
- ...and other items not listed as included
Additional Notes
Prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to change prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates, and the price of fuel, services, and labor may increase the cost of arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to alter our prices.
Prices, itinerary, accommodations, and leader are subject to change. Prices quoted are based on group participation and no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate. It is understood that refunds cannot be made to participants who do not complete the tour for whatever reason. Complete terms and conditions are available upon confirmation or upon request.
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FAQ
Who is invited to join this trip?
All Grinnellians are warmly invited! A Grinnellian can be an alum, a family member of an alum, and/or anyone who supports the College. We also welcome your guests - they do not need to be alums.
What can I expect on the trip?
This will be a fun and intellectually engaging adventure, offering many opportunities to reconnect with your Grinnellian curiosity and sense of global citizenship. Alongside Grinnellians and faculty and local experts, you'll explore Japan's rich history, diverse cultures, and vibrant modern life - with plenty of time for reflection, conversation, and discovery.
What are the physical requirements?
All participants are expected to be physically active and not be an impediment to others on excursions, and to enjoy traveling as part of a group.
Attendees must be able to walk one to three miles per day on mostly flat, but often uneven, terrain.
What weather should I expect during this trip?
July in Germany is peak summer and you can generally expect warm weather with temperatures in the 70s and 80s F during the day. There is always a chance of pop-up showers, so participants should be prepared.
How will sustainability be incorporated into the tour?
Sustainability is at the heart of this trip so, in the spirit of collaboration, we are doing our part by contributing in the following ways:
- Reusable water bottle: Cutting down on one-time-use plastic is important to our environment. As such, we will not be provided with bottled water daily. Instead, we are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle. Potable water is easily accessible in Germany, and the tour manager will remind everyone to fill up their bottles before departing the hotel and show us where we can refill while we are out learning about all the innovative ways Germany is practicing sustainability.
- Public transportation: While we are in Berlin, we are limiting our carbon footprint by taking public transit. Berlin’s public transportation system is clean, efficient, and safe. It is also a great way to experience Berlin in a way we otherwise would not.
- Sustainable hotels: The hotels we are staying at were chosen for their sustainability practices. Check out their websites see how they are contributing to a greener world.
- Eos Study Tours is a proud member of Sustainable Travel International, a globally recognized organization dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices. This partnership highlights our commitment to responsible travel. Join us in our efforts by using our easy carbon footprint calculator to estimate your travel emissions and purchase carbon offsets.
Learn more at www.studytours.org/sustainability.
Will I receive a packing list?
Yes - after registration closes, we will provide all participants with a suggested packing list to help you prepare.
Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is optional but recommended as with any travel adventure. You may purchase coverage through the provider of your choice.
May I bring a guest?
Yes! Grinnellians are welcome to bring guests. Your guests does not need to be an alum.
What if I need assistance during the trip?
A Grinnell College staff member will be on the trip to provide support to guests and our faculty leaders. You will always have someone to turn to if you need assistance at any point.
Questions?
Contact Guinevere Natarelli, associate director of alumni and donor relations, at wallacegu@grinnell.edu or call 641-269-4633.
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