Cologne

World War II damaged nearly all the buildings in Cologne. With its reconstruction, though, resurfaced archeological finds that excavators actually consider the bombings a blessing in disguise. While Cologne is currently a bustling modern city, the largest city in the Rhineland’s beginnings can actually be traced to as early as 38 B.C.

Getting Around

The Kölner Tageskarte or day ticket costs only €8 and will allow you to travel via buses, trams, U-Bahn and S-Bahn connections.

Things to See

Colonge is increasingly becoming the fine-art capital of Germany. It has a total of 12 Romanesque churches found within the medieval city wall. Some of them include the St. Panteleon, which was built in 980 and has the oldest cloister arcades remaining in Germany; the St. Gereon which is elliptically shaped and contains the tomb of St. Gereon and other martyrs whose crypts still has mosaics from the 11th century; and the church of St. Ursula, which found on the site of a Roman graveyard.

Where to Stay

Hotels in Cologne are conveniently scattered around town and offer varying prices as well. If you’re looking for cheap accommodation, try the Coellner Hof, but if you are willing to splurge on luxury and comfort, then the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg is the place to go.