Going to Cologne Germany?

Question

My husband called me today and asked if I wanted to join him in Cologne, Germany while we are staying in England (he is going for business and I am going just to enjoy). He has a to make a day trip to Cologne for work. I would have to find my own way there from England and probably find my own way around town until him and our English/German speaking friend get off from work and meet up with me. I don't speak a l**k of German and have no hope of learning it in less than 3 days. I do have a European cell phone for them to be able to find me. How easy and safe is Cologne to get around for a women traveling mostly alone who speaks English? Cologne looks like an interesting place to visit but I am worried about filling the time by myself and getting lost. Anyone have any thoughts?

Answer 1

You can visit the Dom (Cathedral). Go to the old town and to the banks of the river Rhein. At the train station there are Travel Agencies, ask them if they have a city tour available. Also you can visit the place where they produce Eu DE Cologne. It was before a nunnery. I'm not sure if the nuns are still producing the Cologne.

Answer 2

Cologne, or Köln as the Germans call it is a great city. Lively, with many pubs, restaurants, and nightlife, but also old, with lots of history, monuments, and sights. Carnival celebrations in Cologne are famous, and that's a great time to visit the city.

From Cologne you can take boat trips on the Rhine all the way to Strasbourg in France. The most scenic part of the route lies between St. Goar and Rudesheim (lots of castles vineyards hills etc. There’s a pleasant train ride from Frankfurt to Cologne passing Lorelei the Rhine Valley and other pretty places.

The city of Cologne offers more than history: Whether street music on the Hohe Strasse or galas in the modern opera house, whether pavement painting on the cathedral concourse or old masters in the Wallraf Richartz Museum, whether the annual music festival along the inner ring road or carnival in the entire city - in Cologne all this becomes synthesized into a vivacious work of art - in a cosmopolitan metropolis boasting almost a million inhabitants which, despite its size, has never lost its neighbourly character.

Cologne is one of Germany's leading gastronomic lights. From venerable breweries offering unique Kölsch beer and typical Cologne delicacies to first-class restaurants - boasting well in excess of 3000 public houses, restaurants and breweries Cologne is one of Germany's leading gastronomic lights. Per head of population, no other city in the Federal Republic boasts so many public houses, and also many top-class restaurants.

The world feels at home in Cologne, where people meet for a Kölsch, a chat or simply a laugh. Life in Cologne is uncomplicated and vivacious - the tolerance and cosmopolitanism of its inhabitants proverbial.

Answer 3

Avoid the germans and you'll be fine.

Answer 4

I spent a month in Bonn, and quite a few days in Cologne a couple of years ago, and I'd agree with your husband.  The area, particularly the tourist areas is very easy to Navigate (the Dom, for example is exactly at the the exit of the metro, the Roman  Museum, the Modern ARt Museum and two Romanesque churches are right threon the same plaza.  The downtown area is a fairly compact one and it is dominated by the Cathedral, which is the largest in Germany, and also the most famous in Germany.

Most folks do speak English, but you should learn a half dozen words/phrases before you go.  Bitte (please), Danke (Thank You), Enshchudigung (excuse me), Sprechen sie Englisch (Do you speak English) and Wo sind die Toiletten? (Where are the bathrooms) are a good start.

IF you like old churches, then you'll love Cologne, if you like Roman art and artifacts also.  The square is a lovely place to just sit.  If you drink beer, you should try the local brew, Kölsch, and you might just wander around.  It's hard to get lost - the cathedral (Dom) pretty much is visible everywhere - use it as your point of refernce and you are fine.