The main train station is situated just next to Cologne's primary Cathedral (der Dom); train lines operate for both the Hauptbahnhof (main station) and the Domstadt (City of the Great Cathedral). The Hauptbahnhof was the site of the Botanical Gardens now lying in Riehl (Cologne suburb) and now has lines for the ICE (Inter City Express) 3, the Thalys and "Sprinter", allowing high-speed international connections between Amsterdam (2 hours 30 minutes), Berlin, Brussels (2 hours, 30 minutes), Hamburg, London (5 hours 10 minutes) and Paris (4 hours). Trains between Ebbsfleet and Cologne run around 10 times a week.
Eurostar
trains between Ebbsfleet International and Cologne have average journey times of 5 hours, 46 minutes, with an indirect route through Lille, Brussels and Liege. Travel to Germany via highspeed rail gives travellers the opportunity to enjoy the scenery of three different countries as they pass through in comfort. The best time to book tickets is at Christmas time, as like the vast majority of German cities, Cologne is full of Christmas markets and festivities, which is always popular with every kind of visitor.
Cologne lies on the Rhine River north of Bonn in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany and is the fourth largest city in Germany with a population of over 990000. It was originally a Roman settlement (Colonia Agrippina) in the first century BC that flourished under the Hanseatic League; it also became a banking centre and an important hub of art and learning.
The city is a commercial, financial, and industrial centre, a rail and road junction, one of Europe's key inland ports and a major media centre with many publishing houses and production facilities. Its commercial importance grew out of its location on the major European trade routes. The city’s architecture is a wide mix of styles and periods, despite its almost complete destruction in World War II. Cologne’s industries include automobile engines, engineering, electronics engineering, metals, chemicals, textiles, printed materials, and eau de cologne (produced commercially there since the 18th century).
Points of Interest
Köln Dom
The Cathedral in Cologne is the city’s unofficial symbol and the largest Gothic church in northern Europe. It contains the relics of the “Wise Men of the East” in a golden casket, the ninth-century Gero crucifix, and works by the artist Stefan Lochner. Visitors can climb the South Tower.
Gürzenich
Cologne’s most significant secular building which, now restored, is used for a variety of functions. It was originally a banqueting hall and warehouse.
Imhoff-Stollwerck-Museum
The Museum of Chocolate shows many different varieties of the confectionery and display its history.
Roman Praetorium
This is the governor’s palace which is open to the public. It is also a 12th century Jewish ritual bath (mikve) that lies southwest of the Town Hall in Cologne Under the Spanischer Bau. The architecture is classical in style, making it not only significant as a Jewish artifact collection but as an archeological site.
The Ring
This area of Cologne is located in the old town and comprises a ring of streets on the line of the old walls, recently replanned as a series of botanical gardens and promenade displays. The Eigelsteintor (north), Hahnentor (west) and Severinstor (south) are the remains of the old fortified town gates.
Phantasialand
Cologne’s nearest amusement park is Near Brühl, south of the city. It is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, with a a cableway, white water run, Swimming & water activities, Viking boat trip, Casa Magnetica (zero-gravity simulator), Galaxy outer space ride, monorail, reproduction of old Berlin, Chinatown (with pagodas and rickshaws), Wild West town, aquarium, dolphin show and a computer-controlled electronic show (a journey round the world represented by puppets) and a zoo with tiger enclosure.
Attractions
Pre-Lenten Carnival
The Cologne Trade Fair which hosts a number of trade shows such as Art Cologne, the International Furniture Fair (IMM) and the Photokina.
Festivals summerjam annual reggae Christopher Street Day (CSD) gay/lesbian pride Cologne Carnival Romantic Summer Festival
Kongresszentrum Ost und Rheinpark, Trade Fair Grounds congress and conference centre and Dancing Fountain botanical gardens with mineral baths
Köln Philharmonie- Cologne Philharmonic Hall
Zoo Köln- with over 4000 animals, botanical gardens and a cable car ride over the Rhine
Christmas markets near the Dom in December
Nightlife Restaurants and cafés: Brauhaus Sion, Em Krützche, Haxenhaus Zum Rheingarten, La Vision, Wackes Bars and clubs: Brauhaus Peters, Früh am Dom, Rosebud, Stadtgarten Clubs and music: LANXESS arena, Studio 672 (the nightclub section of Stadtgarden), Alter Wartesaal, Papa Joe's Jazzlokal Shopping
The main shopping street is Schildergasse which runs parallel to Breitestrasse Neumarkt Galerie shopping centre Kölner Wasser shops (Eau de Cologne)- 4711-Haus at Glockengasse and Farina-Haus opposite the town hall at Obenmarspforten 21 Rudolfplatz, Mittlestrasse, Ehrenstrasse, Pfeilstrasse and Benesissttrasse for formal and evening clothing, jewellery, home furnishings and antique boutiques. Ehrenstrasse and Breitestrasse for smart, but not so exclusive clothing.
La Rochelle Main Attractions - La Rochelle Main Attractions
Hotel De Ville
The Hotel de Ville is a 14th century gothic style must-see attraction. Within the tour you will see many Henry II staircases and the marble desk of Jean Guiton. The ancient building houses many of La Rochelle?s pieces of history.... La Rochelle, France
Musee Des Modeles Reduits
This is a one-of-a-kind museum that features 8000 square feet of exhibits that are presented in such manners as moving model trains, computer animated naval battles, and historic scenes. During a certain time of the year they allow the children to ride the train, the museum is great and has fun for all ages.... La Rochelle, France
Parc Charruyer
The Parc Charruyer is a park that was designed somewhere between 1887 and 1890. The park was built from the legacy of mademoiselle Adele Charruyer. The park encompasses a beautiful 98 acres and has a walkway that is about 2 kilometers long. Starting in 1945 they added a small animal zoo. You can take a nice stroll along the path and see rare plants, little waterways, and ducks for the children to feed.... La Rochelle, France
The Aquarium
The aquarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions in La Rochelle. This exhibit takes visitors on a two hour long journey into the depths of the seas. They have exhibits for the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic, and the tropics. The presentation is amazing, it is held in a tank of water which contains about 3 million liters. Visitors are influenced to dive into the action of about 12000 living underwater species and learn about them.... La Rochelle, France
Tour Saint Nicolas, de la Lanterne and de la Chaine
These are three defensive towers within the city of La Rochelle that were used to guard the harbor. This tower is must see because it dates back to medieval times. The tower requires visitors to climb many stairs, it is important to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared.... La Rochelle, France
