Although it might not be fair to talk about a city after only spending there half a day, Koln (or Cologne in English) is worthy of a mention here (and a definite come-back for a week-end's city trip).
Getting there is not as easy as it might sound, especially by car, in the morning and when a part of the city ring is closed, resulting in waiting for about 90 minutes in heavy traffic to get in the city... But there are a lot of public transport options available (2 train stations connected with most of Western Europe and an airport 15 kms away with lots of low-cost carriers present : http://www.airport-cgn.de/index.php?lang=2).
If you insist to use your car, don't trust your GPS :), as the city seems like a huge construction site, not touched by the economical crisis and modernising its infrastructure.
Anyway, after all the transportation issues are solved, a stroll down Hohenzollern bridge will give you spectacular views of the Rhine and the old city centre (what has survived or been rebuilt after WW II) including the Koln (Cologne) Cathedral which the city's symbol and rightly so.
The Cathedral took some 600 years to be completed, but the size is indeed impressive and the Gothic look sends shivers down your spine. Inside, it is not as impressive but it still makes for a good half an hour walk, including getting close to what are supposed to be the relics of the Three Magi (kept in a solid gold shrine).
As we are so close to the holidays, next to the Cathedral a Christmas fair was going on, with wonderful smells of hot bagels, wine, wurst (hot dogs) inviting passers to take part in the fun and join in on the singing of carols.
All in all, an enjoyable city and hopefully next time more info about the city's cultural, but also gastronomically sites.
Although a good friend would say "no sun, no photos", please see some photos of the Cologne Cathedral here: http://picasaweb.google.be/citytripblog/KolnDec08#.
Feel free to comment, sharing your experiences or asking questions or recommendations.
Getting there is not as easy as it might sound, especially by car, in the morning and when a part of the city ring is closed, resulting in waiting for about 90 minutes in heavy traffic to get in the city... But there are a lot of public transport options available (2 train stations connected with most of Western Europe and an airport 15 kms away with lots of low-cost carriers present : http://www.airport-cgn.de/index.php?lang=2).
If you insist to use your car, don't trust your GPS :), as the city seems like a huge construction site, not touched by the economical crisis and modernising its infrastructure.
Anyway, after all the transportation issues are solved, a stroll down Hohenzollern bridge will give you spectacular views of the Rhine and the old city centre (what has survived or been rebuilt after WW II) including the Koln (Cologne) Cathedral which the city's symbol and rightly so.
The Cathedral took some 600 years to be completed, but the size is indeed impressive and the Gothic look sends shivers down your spine. Inside, it is not as impressive but it still makes for a good half an hour walk, including getting close to what are supposed to be the relics of the Three Magi (kept in a solid gold shrine).
As we are so close to the holidays, next to the Cathedral a Christmas fair was going on, with wonderful smells of hot bagels, wine, wurst (hot dogs) inviting passers to take part in the fun and join in on the singing of carols.
All in all, an enjoyable city and hopefully next time more info about the city's cultural, but also gastronomically sites.
Although a good friend would say "no sun, no photos", please see some photos of the Cologne Cathedral here: http://picasaweb.google.be/citytripblog/KolnDec08#.
Feel free to comment, sharing your experiences or asking questions or recommendations.
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Great ! I want to go there , thanks for these clues
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