After enjoying a hearty breakfast at our hotel head straight for the Rodenkirchen jetty. This is the starting point for a small boat tour of the Rhine heading north. The boat docks at the gates of Cologne\u2019s old town – the perfect starting point for a stroll through the shopping streets and narrow alleys with a number of shops and attractions. After visiting Cologne Cathedral<\/strong>, which no visit to the city should be without, continue onwards to the famous Melaten Cemetery (Melatenfriedhof<\/em>). I recommend taking a guided tour to learn lots of interesting facts and enjoy a rather quirky experience. And: With a little luck you might also see colourful parrots in the treetop that have chosen to make this place their new home.<\/p>\n What would a visit to Cologne be without trying our local beer? Enjoy a tasty K\u00f6lsch with lunch at one of the small, cosy guesthouses in Cologne city centre. In addition to serving good, down-to-earth cuisine and Cologne\u2019s popular beer, many of them offer magnificent views of the Rhine. A legendary atmosphere with plenty of nice people goes without saying.<\/p>\n After lunch continue to the Rheinau harbour<\/strong>, which is a real eye-catcher with its impressive crane-shaped buildings. From here it is just a short walk to two of Cologne\u2019s famous museums, both of which I highly recommend: The Chocolate Museum<\/strong> appeals to young and old alike, and you can of course sample tasty treats whilst there! Sports enthusiasts will enjoy the German Sport and Olympic Museum (Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum)<\/strong>. Here the history of sport from ancient times to the present day is portrayed in an exciting and illustrative fashion. A long, pleasant walk along the Rhine will take you back to the city centre where Europe\u2019s most popular shopping street – Hohe Stra\u00dfe – invites you to browse its shops.<\/p>\n An evening visit to an original Cologne brewery is also a must. Hearty food tastes particularly good when combined with a cold beer. There are a wide variety of breweries in the Old Town alone, from the C\u00f6lner Hofbr\u00e4u Fr\u00fch<\/strong> to the Gaffel am Dom<\/strong>, all of which are worth a visit. The real local stars are the so-called \u2018K\u00f6bes\u2019, traditional Cologne waiters who wear blue aprons and have a unique way about them. Prepare to be surprised! A tip: If you don\u2019t want any more to drink place the beermat over the glass – otherwise you might find another K\u00f6lsch landing on your table.<\/p>\n After dinner, experience a completely different kind of city tour: The nightwatchman tour! Follow the watchman on a nighttime tour around the streets and squares, accompanied by spooky stories and sinister tales. After a spooky yet fun city walk, bring the day to a close in comfort in one of the boathouses along the \u201cCologne Riviera\u201d in Rodenkirchen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After enjoying a hearty breakfast at our hotel head straight for the Rodenkirchen jetty. This is the starting point for a small boat tour of the Rhine heading north. The boat docks at the gates of Cologne\u2019s old town – the perfect starting point …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2799,"template":"","class_list":["post-2786","perfect-day","type-perfect-day","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMy midday tip: Have a K\u00f6lsch!<\/h3>\n
Chocolate Museum and shopping trips<\/h3>\n
A visit to the brewery: My evening recommendation<\/h3>\n
Tours along the night watchman trails<\/h3>\n