Looking for a vacation? Visit Cologne!

If you're thinking of a European vacation but don't want to fall into the trap of opting for the more popular capitals like London or Berlin, you might consider Cologne in Germany . With a population of one million, it's the country's fourth-largest city, and in addition to being one of Germany's top tourist destinations, it hosts a variety of cultural events . The peak visitor numbers are during the famous Carnival, but beyond Carnival, Cologne is a vibrant and lively city with plenty to offer year-round. When to go?

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With more than 70 international fairs a year, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from Germany and abroad, Cologne offers a wide range of opportunities not only for Carnival but also for other occasions, for example, you could suggest it as a destination for your friends for the Easter holidays . What to see and what to do?

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The city boasts over 2,000 years of history, vying with few others for the title of Germany's oldest city. The wealth of evidence of its past offers tourists numerous points of interest, to name a few:

• The Gothic-style Cologne Cathedral ( Kölner Dom ) reaches a height of 157 m and houses the relics of the Three Kings. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1996.
• Roman excavations ( Pretorium )
• Hohenzollern Bridge, right behind the cathedral. The bridge is a favorite spot for lovers, who since 2008 have been decorating its railings with love locks.
• Innenstadt (the heart of Cologne), recommended if you have only a few days to spare, with its divisions into the New Town and the Old Town . The Old Town ( Altstadt ) is the city's main tourist attraction. The main museums and other monuments are all located in the Altstadt, which is largely pedestrianized.
• The Schokoladenmuseum , the chocolate museum, entrance costs 9 euros.
• Museum Ludwig, Cologne's museum of modern and contemporary art , houses one of the largest Picasso collections in Europe as well as works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Where to stay?

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To book a hotel in Cologne for two in the spring the average price is around €90 (3 stars) or €132 (4/5 stars) For two people at Easter: 01/04 – 03/04 – Book now For two people for the May 1st long weekend: 27/04 – 02/05 – Book now For two people in May: 12/05 to 14/05 – Book now Below are some hotels with good reviews:

• Hotel im Wasserturm: A high-end 5-star hotel in the city center with excellent value. Average price per night: €120.
• Eden Hotel Früh am Dom: This hotel has a great location and good reviews, with moderate prices ranging from 90 to 100 euros per night.
• Hotel Garni Im Kupferkessel: an excellent hotel with more moderate prices, averaging €40 for a single room and €85 for a double.

How to get there?

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The most convenient and fastest way to get there is by plane, below are some examples of flights from the main Italian cities for the spring period: Milan (MXP) – Cologne for 2 people – from 12/05 to 14/05: €156 Book now Venice – Cologne for 2 people – from 12/05 to 14/05: €157 Book now Bologna – Cologne for 2 people from 12/05 to 14/05: €208 Book now Rome – Cologne for 2 people – from 12/05 to 14/05: €257 Book now Hoping that this short guide has been helpful, I wish you happy holidays!!