www.cologne-tourism.com
Wife and I go to Cologne for the markets (there are 6 or 7 in town). This year will be our 5th visit. Why? Because all the traders are not after your money. They all dress up in uniform, smile, try and speak English, explain what they're selling (especially the food) and treat you as friends.
Prices vary but 5€ will get you a large hot Gluhwein. Bratwurst about the same. But then check out all the other food items, mmmm. Beer is 1.20€ for 20cl glass. But as it's cold you tend not to drink too much. Hot chestnuts are 5€ for a large bag (I paid £7 for a small bag in Winchester)
Been to Manchester, Hyde Park & Winchester and all they want is your money. Workers are dressed in jeans, jumper and wooley hats complaining about the cold and doing you a favour serving you and ripping you off.
Cologne this year is costing £1200 plus spending money for 6 days by car in 4* hotel. 5 days would have been £350 cheaper.
We stop off at another town on route, this year it's Brussels but also done Ghent, Lille, Bruges and Antwerp.
Off course there is also the essential stops at Carrefour (tax free shopping) and duty free.
And when you've had enough there are the Kolsch brewers to explore. Plenty of them in town.
Christmas in Cologne 2024: Christmas markets & festive atmosphere
Experience Cologne at Christmas time! From the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral to the Christmas markets in the neighbourhoods - festive atmosphere, mulled wine & colourful stage programmes ✓
Also, Cologne is a lovely city.Wife and I go to Cologne for the markets (there are 6 or 7 in town). This year will be our 5th visit. Why? Because all the traders are not after your money. They all dress up in uniform, smile, try and speak English, explain what they're selling (especially the food) and treat you as friends.
Prices vary but 5€ will get you a large hot Gluhwein. Bratwurst about the same. But then check out all the other food items, mmmm. Beer is 1.20€ for 20cl glass. But as it's cold you tend not to drink too much. Hot chestnuts are 5€ for a large bag (I paid £7 for a small bag in Winchester)
Been to Manchester, Hyde Park & Winchester and all they want is your money. Workers are dressed in jeans, jumper and wooley hats complaining about the cold and doing you a favour serving you and ripping you off.
Cologne this year is costing £1200 plus spending money for 6 days by car in 4* hotel. 5 days would have been £350 cheaper.
We stop off at another town on route, this year it's Brussels but also done Ghent, Lille, Bruges and Antwerp.
Off course there is also the essential stops at Carrefour (tax free shopping) and duty free.
And when you've had enough there are the Kolsch brewers to explore. Plenty of them in town.
Christmas in Cologne 2024: Christmas markets & festive atmosphere
Experience Cologne at Christmas time! From the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral to the Christmas markets in the neighbourhoods - festive atmosphere, mulled wine & colourful stage programmes ✓
Basel, went last year and going again in December, very good.
Bought 4 tickets last night for the Sparta game on the Saturday we are there, should be fun, albeit bloody cold I suspect
We've been to Cologne twice and also loved it. Away from the Christmas markets can also do some good festive boat trips too. Annoyingly seems to be few flights to Cologne at present.Wife and I go to Cologne for the markets (there are 6 or 7 in town). This year will be our 5th visit. Why? Because all the traders are not after your money. They all dress up in uniform, smile, try and speak English, explain what they're selling (especially the food) and treat you as friends.
Prices vary but 5€ will get you a large hot Gluhwein. Bratwurst about the same. But then check out all the other food items, mmmm. Beer is 1.20€ for 20cl glass. But as it's cold you tend not to drink too much. Hot chestnuts are 5€ for a large bag (I paid £7 for a small bag in Winchester)
Been to Manchester, Hyde Park & Winchester and all they want is your money. Workers are dressed in jeans, jumper and wooley hats complaining about the cold and doing you a favour serving you and ripping you off.
Cologne this year is costing £1200 plus spending money for 6 days by car in 4* hotel. 5 days would have been £350 cheaper.
We stop off at another town on route, this year it's Brussels but also done Ghent, Lille, Bruges and Antwerp.
Off course there is also the essential stops at Carrefour (tax free shopping) and duty free.
And when you've had enough there are the Kolsch brewers to explore. Plenty of them in town.
Christmas in Cologne 2024: Christmas markets & festive atmosphere
Experience Cologne at Christmas time! From the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral to the Christmas markets in the neighbourhoods - festive atmosphere, mulled wine & colourful stage programmes ✓
Basel is a lovely city and we went to the Christmas market a few times when we lived over there. After the market we could pop over the French border to load up with cheaper Christmas food and drink before driving back home. Happy memories.
If we go in to Southampton at the moment, we can’t avoid it. It’s all up and down Above Bar so even if you don’t want to venture in to it, the busyness of it still affects everything. We were in Birmingham last weekend and it was the same. We avoid them like the plague.
