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Get to know our experts in Gütersloh!
Klaus Gottenströter
My first city tour: After our training in 2009 on the occasion of the "Monument Day" event
Why I became a city guide: In my professional life, I really enjoyed having contact with lots of people.
In order to keep in touch with people when I retired, I asked myself "what would be an option?". The offer from the VHS in 2008 "GT is looking for city guides" came at just the right time. And it was important to me to continue to challenge my mind and body in old age in order to stay fit.
From today's perspective, my decision back then was absolutely right, because I still enjoy working as a city guide just as much today as I did at the beginning. I go on tour a few dozen times a year.
What do I offer: Cycle tours over "romantic plateaus and through secluded corners", the humorous night watchman tour "With horn and halberd", the culinary tours and various themed events.
My favorite place in Gütersloh: There are a few.
First and foremost is certainly the "Old Church Square", where Gütersloh jumped out of the egg almost 200 years ago...as I like to say on my tours.
And of course the "Trommelpättken", where the night watchman has a lot to tell his guests about the past. Among other things, that this used to be a popular meeting place for young lovers and that they used to make out here. The night watchman used to turn off the lights for the lovers... Unfortunately, the Pättken has lost the flair of times gone by.
Walter Holtkamp
Place of birth/residenceGütersloh
Beginnings: City guide training 2016/2017
My guided tours: I have been offering the "Cycle tour through the farming communities" since 2017. The idea: to impart knowledge outside the city center, especially in the former politically independent farming communities with farms and listed farmhouses, some of which were founded as early as the 9th century.
Since 2018: Guided tours of the former Gütersloh Airport
Since 2022: "Dalke adventure trail cycle tour" city tour
Brunhilde Kohls
My first city tour: I have been guiding visitors through the historic town of Rietberg and its LGS grounds since 2008. I started my first city tour in my home town of Gütersloh in 2009.
Why I became a city guide: I spent my childhood in a farmhouse museum. So I became curious about history and customs at an early age. The origins of Gütersloh and its development up to the present day - and even more so the stories told are inexhaustible and exciting.
What do I offer? What are my main focuses: The classic tour with stories to make you smile. Or combined with funny stories from the life of the market woman "Güth's Marie". Would you like it to be historical? Then: "Windows into the past". On a tour in autumn and winter, you can experience the "Night singing", which is unique in Germany, or contemplatively: "It's Christmas time".
My favorite place in Gütersloh: there are three places
- the imposing Martin Luther Church
- an extraordinary private excavation site
- the impressive theater, next to the historic water tower
Daniela Toman
My first city tour: I have been guiding people through Gütersloh's city park and botanical garden since 2016.
Why I became a city guide: Because it was important to me to be able to present our green living room even better to visitors.
What do I offer? What are my main focuses: Park tours in the city park and botanical garden with a thematic focus on garden culture, flora and photography. In addition, guided tours along the Dalke, with a particular focus on the renaturation measures, especially in the Stadtpark and in Putzhagen.
My favorite place in Gütersloh: The hedge garden in the botanical
Barbara Weidler
My first city tour: As the oldest city guide at the moment, I can safely say that it feels like a hundred years ago when I started taking guests on a city tour by bus. In the days when I worked in the city's press office with Hans-Dieter Musch and also for the tourist office with Peter Grünheit.
Why I became a city guide: From this daily work, I developed more and more interest, then also desire and fun. So I read a lot, asked a lot of people who gave me their knowledge and explored some of the stations. Google and the like didn't exist back then. And the words of some Gütersloh residents, "What do you want to tell me about Gütersloh?" really got me going.
What do I offer? What are my main focuses:
Tours through the city: classic, women's tour and Advent and Christmas customs in the city as well as through the city museum.
In the Botanical Garden on various topics: "Fat Friends", where I present some special trees, among other things. "Biblical plants in the botanical garden", "Smell them" on the subject of scents and smells, "Witch's herbs" about lucky plants and superstition.
My favorite place in Gütersloh:
In the city center, the old church square and the squares and courtyards. In the botanical garden with its apothecary garden, which is part of the city park. Because you can watch nature grow and develop there all year round. And every year you can admire the seasonal flowerbeds with their different colors and plants.
Norbert Ellermann
Would you like to join our team for city tours? Get in touch with us!
Our tip: You can also book many city tours for private groups!
From birthday parties and company outings to family visits - numerous themed tours from our program can also be booked as private tours. Simply contact us.
Inspiration for other city tours in the district of Gütersloh can be found here:
- Cover picture: Detlef Güthenke