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Cologne (Germany) Reviews |
Demo
Travel Writer - Bronze
Visited in:
September 2006
for a period of
1 day
Voted this Destination:
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Cologne is a fairly uninspiring city although in a day trip there is enough to keep you going. Fortunately, we had just that and more exact, we had about 7 hours to spend in Cologne.
In this time we took a tour around the giant cathedral called the 'Dom' which has incredible architecture and is certainly the most popular and striking attraction in Cologne.
However, outside of that there are a few average museums, a chocalte factory and a river cruise that will fill the day.
Fortunately, coffee breaks and beer breaks are very enjoyable (especially if the weather is good). This is because German beer is great and they make great coffee too. These breaks were essential in what wasn't an abundance of tourist attractions city.
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Jodie
Travel Writer - Bronze
Visited in:
December 2005
for a period of
1 day
Voted this Destination:
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I visited Cologne for the day, when stopping with friends who live nearby. I accept that there are tourist attractions and agree that the Cathedral is spectacular but these are insufficient to encourage me to return any time soon.
In general, I found the people to be very rude and unwelcoming. On one occasion a shop assistant refused to serve myself and an American customer until all the German customers, who were behind us in the queue, had been served. Unfortunately, for the shop assistant I speak German and understood when he told the customers that they would be served before “the tourists”.
I was also amazed by the anti English slogans which were in graffiti on and around the train station.
During my visit the city was very busy and we experienced difficulties in finding an available restaurant or café. I have since learned that there was a football match on during my last visit, which might account for some of the behaviour I witnessed. My recommendation is, therefore, to avoid visiting on match days if at all possible.
On a more positive note the Cathedral is as impressive as you might expect and a boat trip on the Rhine is recommended. If you enjoy shopping then there are plenty are department stores to keep you occupied!
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pjcasanis
Travel Writer - Bronze
Visited in:
August 2007
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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We visited Cologne on a day trip which despite there being a number of fairly good sights and attractions, much more than a day would leave a tourist with a bit of a headache on how to fill their time.
However, for a day trip (or you could stretch it to two), Cologne was fairly good. The huge Cathedral (The Dom) is an impressive structure and if you don't mind queing you can get to the top for a panoramic view of COlogne (we did mind queueing and didn't experience that). Outside of the Dom, a boat trip down the rhine is a nice experience and there a few museums that are worth a visit. Probably most out of the ordinary is a chocolate museum that isn't brilliant but not a bad 1 hour or two's worth of time.
On the whole, Cologne probably has much more to offer but for us it was neither amazing or poor.
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Pat Crooks
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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At the beginning of December we travelled to Cologne by coach for the Christmas markets. We had been told they were wonderful.
We did manage to find three of those on offer, and they had plenty of to choose from. Well worth remembering though that the shops are closed on Sunday, so your Saturday is well spent touring these first.
The markets open around 10am until late with plenty of stalls selling fabulous things to eat and drink.
We also managed to fit in a short cruise down the Rhine, having lunch on board.
Plenty of walking involved, but there is a small "train" which takes you round all of the Christmas markets, and well worth taking, even if it is just to ease the load on your shoulders by not having to carry your goodies for a while.
Plenty of specialiets in food are available on the stalls including the spice cakes in all descriptions and many types of stollen, which are completely different from anything you will buy over here.
Take plenty of Euros with you. Most places speak English, so go and enjoy!
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Oxon
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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An excellent 4 star hotel, just 5 minutes from Cologne's main Railway station, with the Cathedral in clear view.
Terrific value for money, at about £60+ per b&b double per night (breakfast buffet is very good) with amazing decor; each floor has a different theme (3rd is Africa) and each room is reportedly slightly different - ours had lovely furnishings.
Restaurant has a limited menu for evening meals (plenty of choices in Cologne) but the food is good value. Staff are friendly and generally speak English.
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Flandrischer Hof - Cologn
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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I booked a three night for the price of two with Cresta. The operator was really helpful and we had no problems with our travel arrangements. A travel pouch arrived complete with a Dorling kindersley guide book of Germany. We flew with British Airways to Dusseldorf and then transferred by the sky train to Koln railway station. This was very efficient and easy to use. Only confusion was that in our details it said to use the shuttle which is actually called the sky train.
On arriving in Koln we took a taxi which cost us 6 Euros 30 cents. On our return we actually walked to the railway station as we knew the way. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the Flandrischer Hof Hotel. First impressions of the hotel were very good. It is a very nice hotel which is ideally placed for exploring Koln. Our room was very clean with a shower that always had hot water and very good maid service. Breakfast was typically European - bread, cheese, ham, salami, fresh fruit, yoghurt, croissant and even doughnuts !!
I would definitely stay in this hotel again.
When in Koln you must check out the Chocolate factory down by the Rhein. It costs 6 euros to get in but is well worth it. The chocolate tree was a definite must for me ! The shop sells all sorts of chocolate but is a little overpriced. We also went inside the Dom (cathedral) in the centre. It is beautiful and you must spend 5 euros (for 2) to climb the 509 steps to the top of one of the towers. Absolutely fantastic.
Another good place to go to is Peters Brauhaus in the old town down by Fischmarkt. Food is very good and a fantastic atmosphere.
We were leaving Koln just as their carnival was beginning (5 days before Ash Wednesday). EVERYONE gets dressed in fancy dress and parties for 5 days. It looked amazing.
If you love mooching about, drinking beer or coffee and shopping then Koln is the place to go. It is shoe heaven and we will be going back next year for the carnival complete with costumes.
A brilliant city with fabulous people.
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Stephen Blakey
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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Arrived at the Intercontinentel Hotel at 1030 on the Saturday morning and was able to check straight into our room. The location of this Hotel is on the end of one of the main pedestrian only streets and within 7-10 minutes of the Cathederal, Neumarkt, Altmarkt and all main attractions.
The Hotel itself is very bright, airy and modern with great leisure facilities, better still, all staff that we came into contact with were genuinely warm, welcoming and friendly and could not have been more opposite to the imagined 'typical German stereotype.' In fact, the staff had such an impact on our stay that I felt compelled to compliment the General Manager personally at the end of our holiday!
We were there for the Carnival which starts gearing up with Parades and events from the Saturday culminating with the huge Rosemontag Parade on the Monday. What a Fantastic event. Four and a half hours to pass by, 6kms long! 95% of the thousands in the audience are in FULL fancy dress, (procurable from many sources locally including C&A from 20 euros for a full outfit). The Parade participants throw 40 tonnes of sweets, chocolate bars, chocolate boxes, soft toys, flowers and gifts into the audience and most people go home with a carrier bag full, (I know we did)! It's just one long weekend party throughout the entire central area of Cologne, think Rio but cold not hot. There is no bad behaviour just fun and frolics with quite a bit of drunkeness of course, but at no time was there any feeling of insecurity felt by my partner or myself.
We are definately going again in 2005 and will be wearing full fancy dress, perhaps we will see you there!
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