NEW YEAR ON THE RHINE

Cologne (Köln) is one of the largest cities in Germany, and a bustling hub of media and business on the Rhine. The dramatic Kölner Dom can be seen from miles away, and a number of other beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches are dotted around the city. There are also museums dedicated to Roman history, modern and religious art, ethnology, sports and even chocolate.

There are two lovely, massive green lungs in the city containing a number of parks, recreational areas and beer gardens. In warm weather, there's a fun outdoor culture in Cologne and thousands of people gather in these areas for picnics, sports and socialising. The two pedestrian strips of Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse offer great shops, cafes and street music.

Cologne is well known for its Veedel or traditional neighbourhoods. One of the most interesting districts for tourists is the bohemian Agnesviertel neighbourhood where visitors can find local fashion designers, bookshops, bars and art galleries.

Cologne has a vibrant and colourful cultural life, with tourists sampling locally-brewed Kölsch beer and other gastronomic specialties. The city is also known as the gay capital of Germany with a large pride event held every year. The local inhabitants are known to be friendly, sociable and liberal, making Cologne one of the best German cities in which to meet new people and make new friends.

Bonn is a city in western Germany straddling the Rhine river. It’s known for the central Beethoven House, a memorial and museum honoring the composer’s birthplace. Nearby are Bonn Minster, a church with a Romanesque cloister and Gothic elements, the pink-and-gold Altes Rathaus, or old city hall, and Poppelsdorf Palace housing a mineralogical museum. To the south is Haus der Geschichte with post-WWII history exhibits

Located in the West of the country, Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. It is situated on both banks of the river Rhine, at its confluence with the Moselle River. The beginnings of Koblenz can be traced back to its military beginnings around 8 BC. The city is rich in its history and heritage and is easily explored on foot. Take the cable car crossing over the river Rhine for spectacular aerial views or enjoy the city from the one thousand year old fortress, Ehrenbreitstein. The upper middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its unique landscape can be enjoyed and discovered through the interactive multimedia journey at the Romanticum. Historical and architectural sites of interest include Stolzenfels Castle, the Electoral Palace of Koblenz and Old Town. From the romantic winding streets and small squares of Old Town, stroll through the alleyways from the Church of the Holy Virgin to the St Kastor Basilica and enjoy the picturesque buildings and squares along the way. Koblenz is also very popular for its Riesling and strong Spatburgunder wines since the Romans introduced it two thousand years ago.

Cologne (Köln) is one of the largest cities in Germany, and a bustling hub of media and business on the Rhine. The dramatic Kölner Dom can be seen from miles away, and a number of other beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches are dotted around the city. There are also museums dedicated to Roman history, modern and religious art, ethnology, sports and even chocolate.

There are two lovely, massive green lungs in the city containing a number of parks, recreational areas and beer gardens. In warm weather, there's a fun outdoor culture in Cologne and thousands of people gather in these areas for picnics, sports and socialising. The two pedestrian strips of Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse offer great shops, cafes and street music.

Cologne is well known for its Veedel or traditional neighbourhoods. One of the most interesting districts for tourists is the bohemian Agnesviertel neighbourhood where visitors can find local fashion designers, bookshops, bars and art galleries.

Cologne has a vibrant and colourful cultural life, with tourists sampling locally-brewed Kölsch beer and other gastronomic specialties. The city is also known as the gay capital of Germany with a large pride event held every year. The local inhabitants are known to be friendly, sociable and liberal, making Cologne one of the best German cities in which to meet new people and make new friends.

Dusseldorf is one of Germany's economic hubs, with a densely populated city centre housing about 600,000 people. The city is lively, with a love of music and culture that is hard to resist. Dusseldorf is famous for its trade and fashion fairs and attracts visitors from all over the world to these big and exciting events. Streets like Bolkerstraße, Ratinger Straße and Kurze Straße are alive with entertainment in the evenings. Those looking for an authentic drink can sample the locally-produced Altbier (meaning old-style beer) for which Dusseldorf is known.

Much of Dusseldorf was destroyed in World War II. The city is therefore not as scenic as others in Germany despite its ancient history, the first mention of which dates back to 1135. Modern architecture enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy, however, in Frank Gehry buildings and the colourful Colorium, all clustered in the harbour district.

There are several pedestrian malls to stroll through and plenty of museums and parks to enjoy. Visitors will be hard-pressed to find a cleaner and more elegant city in Germany, even if there are fewer historic buildings than may be expected. There is a long-standing rivalry between Dusseldorf and Cologne but both cities are gems for visitors - just order the right beer in the right city!

Dusseldorf is located within easy distance of Bonn and Cologne, and due to its proximity to the border also makes a good base for weekend trips to Amsterdam, Paris, or Brussels.