Köln, Germany’s third largest city isn’t very interesting to the tourist. It’s one grand sight, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and a couple museums, this is about it. The problem is that it was heavily bombed in WWII, and…Read More

Köln, Germany’s third largest city isn’t very interesting to the tourist. It’s one grand sight, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and a couple museums, this is about it. The problem is that it was heavily bombed in WWII, and rebuilt in modern style rather than restoring the old city. There is little left of the old city outside a bunch of churches, which the Allies tried not to bomb. What little there is of the old city is along the river bank below St Martin’s Church.

The Cathedral, under construction for 600 years, is 478 ft. long from the front doors to the start of the Alter, and 143 ft. high. The 515 ft. high spire has an observation deck at 300 ft. - climb 500 stairs. The vast size of the building is best appreciated from the intersection of the transept and the nave. Note the inlaid flooring around the Alter area. The gold box– it took 39 years to craft– at the back of the Choir (Alter area) supposedly holds the bones of the three wise men.

Clearly off the tourist track, the men’s lobby restroom at the Hotel Dom on Dom Platz (cathedral square) is a high point, a must see for both sexes. If I describe it, it will ruin the surprise, so all I will say is you should stand as indicated by the feet outlined on the floor, facing the wall, and don’t miss it.

Shopping: There is a large shopping area along the pedestrian streets Hohestrasse & Schilder Gasse (two large enclosed malls). A couple blocks from Domplatz on Hohestr, the J. Henkles store had a clearance table with items less than half price – that beat Costco. Look for the 4711 perfume stores (one near J Henkles), the company that invented Eau de Cologne (translated from French: Cologne water).

Our tour took us along the river bank for the impressive view of the tower of St Martin’s church, built on what was then an island in the Rhine and then for an overly long visit to the Cathedral. Some of the time should have gone to a trip to the old city hall, a Gothic gem nearby. A section of the old Roman sewer raised from 30 ft. below modern ground level stands at the corner of the new town hall square, something our guide, standing across the street from it, did not point out.

WWII bombing devastated the city, and it was rebuilt in contemporary style rather than restoring the old buildings, with a few exceptions. Most of the surviving old buildings except churches are found along the river side park just below St Martin’s church. There are nice views of the old houses and the skyline from here and from the nearby bridge.

A couple museums near the Cathedral round out what there is to see in Koln today. The Chocolate Museum’s gift shop sells an incredible variety of chocolate concoctions.Close

Cologne is a great city for just wandering and exploring as the fancy takes you. There are bars, restaurants, cafés and ice-cream parlours virtually everywhere, so there is always a nice place to stop when you need rest and refreshment.Hohe Strasse is a pedestrianised shopping…Read More

Cologne is a great city for just wandering and exploring as the fancy takes you. There are bars, restaurants, cafés and ice-cream parlours virtually everywhere, so there is always a nice place to stop when you need rest and refreshment.

Hohe Strasse is a pedestrianised shopping area - in fact it is one of the main shopping areas and extends past the cathedral. It is particularly popular with tourists and contains many gift shops, clothing stores and fast food restaurants.

The Alte Markt is pretty and when we were there, it bustled with tourists and locals. We stopped to admire the Town Hall and the other old buildings lining the square. The Marktbrunnen fountain is the impressive centrepiece. In December the Christmas Market takes place in this area.

Glockengasse 4711, home to the world's first internationally acclaimed brand of perfume is the most well-known address in Cologne. It is also an important landmark.

In 1792 a monk presented a young couple - the Muelhens - with a wedding gift, a recipe for "aqua mirabilis" later known as eau de cologne. Wilhelm Muelhens founded a company to produce Eau de Cologne in Glockengasse - the original building is still there.

In 1796 during the French occupation of Cologne, all buildings were ordered to be consecutively numbered. The Muelhens house was given the number 4711 - this was later registered as the company's trademark in 1875. In the showroom they have a variety of souvenirs to buy and an Eau de Cologne running fountain.

The Heumarkt, another square very close to our hotel, was where we ate on Saturday evening. It was really lively - lots of German hen and stag parties celebrating in a lively, but good natured and fun way. We even saw a cycling-bar travelling around. People sat around the bar and pedalled as they drank with music playing.

Later on in the evening there were different performers in the square here - we enjoyed watching Swiss men playing huge alpine horns, while two of their compatriots juggled and tossed Swiss flags in the air.Close

Whether it's Dom or Fruh, it's all Kolsch. Cologne is just one beer center out of several in Germany. And it's famous for it's light, golden beer--Ko:lsch. Kolsch beer is made exclusively in Cologne and most who live here have a fondness for it. Ask…Read More

Whether it's Dom or Fruh, it's all Kolsch. Cologne is just one beer center out of several in Germany. And it's famous for it's light, golden beer--Ko:lsch. Kolsch beer is made exclusively in Cologne and most who live here have a fondness for it. Ask 10 Germans from Cologne and they'll each have their own opinion about which kind of Kolsch is best.

All 27 breweries in Cologne produce the golden drink. One variety, Dom Kolsch, is made in a brewery just beside the Dom from which it gets it's name. Fruh is another kind, which means fresh. There are several other selections too.

The taste of Kolsch is light and smooth. The most important thing is, no matter what, do not go to Dusseldorf and ask for a Kolsch. I'm afraid of what might happen. In Dusseldorf, they have their own special beer to which they are particular to also.

Don't forget to bring some home with you so your friends and family can try it too, 'cause you won't be able to find it anywhere except in Cologne.

I hadn't been properly back to Cologne since 1999, and then it was as a boxer and I was with friends. I'd been previously as a teen, but only now, in 2004, could I truly appreciate how wonderful a city it is. …Read More

I hadn't been properly back to Cologne since 1999, and then it was as a boxer and I was with friends. I'd been previously as a teen, but only now, in 2004, could I truly appreciate how wonderful a city it is. Close

It's one of my favorite wines. It can be compared to no other. Riesling is clear, clean and fresh. I think you'll soon discover the finer qualities Riesling offers when it comes to other wines. The wine isn't exclusive to Germany or the…Read More

It's one of my favorite wines. It can be compared to no other. Riesling is clear, clean and fresh. I think you'll soon discover the finer qualities Riesling offers when it comes to other wines.

The wine isn't exclusive to Germany or the Rhine region, but is produced in many other places like Australia and California. The taste can be described as light, fruity and sweet. The alcohol content is lower than that of a Chardonnay.

Riesling is quite inexpensive too. Top bottles sell for up to $20.00. Most of the wineries in the Rhine region are family-owned.

Select a bottle to go with your on-the-go lunch of cheese, bread and meat. It's the perfect compliment.

Beer has been produced in Germany for centuries, and one of the pleasures of visiting this country is to taste the various regional specialty beers. With just a few basic ingredients: hops, barley malt, yeast and water, German master brewers turn what was a…Read More

Beer has been produced in Germany for centuries, and one of the pleasures of visiting this country is to taste the various regional specialty beers. With just a few basic ingredients: hops, barley malt, yeast and water, German master brewers turn what was a household craft into a masterful profession.

From a sophisticated bar in Berlin to the back roads of Bavaria, you’ll be able to sample an incredible range of this liquid gold.

When in Cologne, raise your glasses and drink a toast with Kölsch, the city’s special beer brewed according to a secret recipe that can only be brewed in the Cologne area. Kölsch is a top fermented beer, which means that during the fermentation process, the yeast deposits near the top, giving the beer its unique taste of hops. Even the EU Commission in Brussels agrees with the rule, and there are plenty of breweries in around Cologne to keep up with the demand for this flavorful brew.

Served in small, slender rods or stangen glasses, it’s said that it takes 5 glasses of Kölsch to equal one Bavarian "Mass" (one liter glass of beer). What fun it is to see if its true. Leave the driving to someone else if you do.

Enjoy Cologne—Indoors and Out When you come to Cologne, bring your Rollerblades™, scooter, bike, skateboard, wheelchair—or just your feet—and be prepared to enjoy the outdoors. When the weather’s good (and sometimes even when it isn’t), the locals pack up the kids and the dog and…Read More

Enjoy Cologne—Indoors and Out

When you come to Cologne, bring your Rollerblades™, scooter, bike, skateboard, wheelchair—or just your feet—and be prepared to enjoy the outdoors. When the weather’s good (and sometimes even when it isn’t), the locals pack up the kids and the dog and head for Cologne’s many parks, walkways, and its numerous outdoor cafes.

Founded by the Romans, Cologne claims to be the oldest city in Germany. But, even though it is old, it is an incredibly youthful city. Viewing itself as a working city, Cologne offers visitors a relaxed charm and style that is informal and relaxing and one of the best places to enjoy yourself. Walk around the square just outside of the Cathedral, and you’ll find crowds gathered to watch the performances of everything from entertainers juggling fire batons to local musicians using their skills to put themselves through college.

But while Cologne is hip and stylish, it also has a wealth of museums with masterpieces to marvel over. In its new quarters near the city hall, the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, famous for its rich collection of ecclesiastical art, features classic paintings miracuously preserved from the medieval period, as well as numerous special exhibitions.

Come to Cologne from late November through December, and you’ll be able to step into the magical fairy-tale world of Cologne’s Old World Christmas Markets. From marzipan to nutcrackers, Cologne’s Christmas markets (there are four of them) will put you in the spirit to enjoy the season.

Of course, no visit to Cologne is complete without touring its famous Koln Cathedral, which dominates with city, and offers visitors an awe-inspiring experience--whether it is to admire the architecture, or experience the religious atmosphere.

A good day trip from Cologne can be to travel south to Koblenz. This trip offers beautiful scenery along the Rhine River. Once you arrive in the town, head for the Deutsches Eck, or German Corner. This is where the Rhine and…Read More

A good day trip from Cologne can be to travel south to Koblenz. This trip offers beautiful scenery along the Rhine River. Once you arrive in the town, head for the Deutsches Eck, or German Corner. This is where the Rhine and Mosel rivers meet, and the spot offers a sight of the water and surrounding hills. Also trek up to Ehrenbreitstein, a huge fortress on the hill overlooking Koblenz. This also holds a youth hostel and the Landesmuseum Koblenz.Close

The flower market is located right on the Neumarkt. Meaning it is very easy to get here. By car it is more difficult because then you would have to park in the parking garages in town and that's usually full. The public transport connection is…Read More

The flower market is located right on the Neumarkt. Meaning it is very easy to get here. By car it is more difficult because then you would have to park in the parking garages in town and that's usually full. The public transport connection is great as you are in the city centre.

At the flower market you can find bedding and balcony plants, herbs, fruit and vegetable plants, houseplants, roses and much more.

How was been in Cologne before will know the Neumarkt as it is located in the city centre and almost hard to miss. It’s a large square which at the time of the flower market is unfortunately not completely covered with flowers as I would have imagine it. Only a small corner of the Neumarkt is used for the flower market. There are around 10 to 15 distributors or flower shops who have built up their stalls. But even this small area offers quiet a lot and looks really pretty. There is not a lot of space between all the stalls so it might be hard with a pram or wheelchair to get trough especially when it's busy there.

A big plus is the location because you have a lot of bars and café’s were you can enjoy a cup of coffee and of course cake. There is one café were they had delicious cake with the usual such as currants, blackberries, blueberries, and so on.

And then of course the flowers. Sure you also get flowers at the hardware store or garden center, but here on the market is really is the best of the best. Every flower looks beautiful with full in color and condition. Everything is really nice and fresh. I also think the prices are also very reasonable, if not cheaper than the garden centre. You get as geraniums, really nice and big with lots of flowers for € 2.50

The flower market is definitely worth a visit. You really get all kinds of plants. Everything is fresh, very well priced and you get things as various chili plants. I would have liked it to be a little bit larger but you will find everything you need.
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From Cologne we went to Monschau, a small German town near the Belgian border. Monschau is located among the low mountains of the Eifel, which are a continuation of the Belgian Ardennes, in the Ruhr Valley. This wonderfully picturesque town attracts mainly the numerous half-timbered…Read More

From Cologne we went to Monschau, a small German town near the Belgian border. Monschau is located among the low mountains of the Eifel, which are a continuation of the Belgian Ardennes, in the Ruhr Valley. This wonderfully picturesque town attracts mainly the numerous half-timbered houses, standing at random along the mountain stream.
Surprisingly, the apparent simple name of the town of Monschau, is not so easy ... Once upon a time long ago the town and fortress were called to the Old French manners Montjoie, though possessed of more and more Germans. In 1795 the French when they captured the region, had no trouble to keep the old name, they simply pronounced it with a modern twist as Montjoie. After 1815, the city passed to Prussia. And during World War I was said that the city is clearly Walloon and around - and especially by name - must belong to Belgium, that Kaiser Wilhelm and renamed it in 1918 in Monschau, hoping, apparently, so stop all encroachments.
Since time slows down ... and kept the look of Monschau XVII-XVIII centuries. Squeezed into a narrow valley the Ruhr, he became a hostage to its location and could expand and grow. But was able to concentrate on a small area such beauty.Close