Cologne
Day 1 and 2
We followed Rick Steves' recommendation and arrived in Cologne the evening before the start of our tour. The following day, after waking early, our excitement was palpable as we were ready to embark on this magnificent trip! We read in the R.S. guidebook that renting bikes was very doable here, so we had planned on doing just that, only to find the rental place was closed. We were amazed by the number of cyclists riding along the large path that snakes along the river. We took a stroll up to the city center, where we were fascinated by the enormity of the Gothic cathedral. After visiting the inside of the cathedral, we meandered down to a beer garden and enjoyed some local cuisine. Our location at Art'otel was ideal, making it easy to walk into the town and explore the city. After meeting with our tour guide, Thomas, and the rest of our group, we set off on our adventure for a quick guided tour of the highlights of Cologne.
Statue of Frederick William III
Cobblestone street
Heinzelmanchen-brunnen
beer garden
Quirky! The consensus that beer is drunk in large steins (like everyone sees in Octoberfest commercials) is not so in Cologne. They feel beer needs to be drunk quickly so as not to lose its flavor when sitting too long. They serve their beer in 200 ml glasses.
crypt under the Cologne cathedral
A Roman wall was discovered while building a parking garage near the Cologne cathedral
the Cologne cathedral survived 14 bomb hits and heavy damage in WWII, but it remained intact and was completely repaired by 1956.
Did you know? The Cologne Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, took over 600 years to build and houses the Shrine of the Three Kings.
Low Down:
I would like to introduce you to Thomas, our guide throughout this trip. I was impressed with his vast knowledge and expertise. He provided us with a detailed overview of each new destination while we were driving on the bus. Thomas was always available to answer any questions we had, gave excellent suggestions, and had contact information for any side trips. The historical information he shared was informative, accurate, and honest."
old Roman gate and well, near the cathedral
view from ferris wheel
view of the city skyline from our hotel rooftop
Cologne Cathedral
Where we stayed: https://artotelcologne.com/
How long we stayed: 2 nights
Highlight: experiencing the inside of the Cologne Cathedral
Things to do in Cologne: Cologne Cathedral, the Chocolate Museum, Museum Ludwig, NS Documentation Center of Cologne, Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Koelner Zoo, Saint Gereon's Basilica to name a few.