The place to experience German Karneval tradition is in Germany where it all began. In Germany, the area along the Rhine river around Cologne is one of the areas where Karneval is celebrated in a big way. Another area is around Würzburg and Mainz. Starting in 2000 and again in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008, groups from Spielmannszug visited Germany for Karneval. In 2006 the Prinzenpaar and a group of Spielmannszug members visited the Cologne area. In 2007, the Prinzenpaar and several Speilmannszug members visited Würzburg and Mainz for Karneval.  In 2008, Al and Joyce Drenckhahn (the GAMGA Prinzenpaar and SZMn Members) and Darrel Schenk and Pat Sandin (SZMn Members) attended Karneval in both the Cologne and Würzburg areas. Click here for pictures of this trip.