I am so excited to live in Germany, especially the area of Germany that I am going to: Cologne! Or Köln, as it's also called. I have always wanted to go to Cologne. Not only does it look like a beautiful city, but it is full of history, the people are supposedly very open and friendly, and it is home to the UNESCO world heritage site, the Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral). There's a lot more to it than just this, though, as I am slowly finding out. Every time I learn something new about this awesome city, it makes me even more excited to live there. Here are some of the long list of things I want to do in Cologne, which I'm sure it will keep growing the more I learn:
1. Karneval
Rio may be well known for its tropical and festive Carnival season, but apparently Cologne has one of the largest Carnival celebrations in the world. The whole city parties all day, every day, for a good week, and EVERYONE dresses up. It's like the German version of Halloween! And I love Halloween. Mostly because you get to dress up, and I love dressing up. I will definitely be having fun this coming Karneval season!
2. Rhine River
Cologne is situated right on the Rhine River. The river actually runs directly through the city. I find this supremely awesome. I LOVE cities on the water, whether they be on a river or on the ocean. And areas just south of Cologne on the Rhine are known for their wine and beautiful scenery. And I love wine. So not only will I be living along a river (seriously am in love with that), but I will be >thisclose< to some amazing wine country. Adding to that, this particular area is the home of the Riesling, and Rieslings are one of my favorite kinds of wine. I am going to be in heaven.
3. Kölsch
Cologne has its own kind of beer called Kölsch. While I'm more of a wine person than a beer person, I do enjoy one every now and then, and I am very interested in trying something so iconic to Cologne!
4. Christmas Markets
These can generally be found in all of Germany, but I'm still really excited to go to one when I'm in Cologne! They look so adorable and fun! I went to one when I was in London, and while it was obviously not a real German Christmas Market, it was still pretty cool, and I can only imagine how great a real one would be.
5. Kölner Dom
So I've known about this site for a while, since I've wanted to visit it for a very long time, but I couldn't not include it! It is amazingly beautiful. And old. And I'm quite simply a huge sucker for old religious buildings, particularly cathedrals. This will definitely be a highlight. I want to climb all the way to the top!
6. Architecture
This is not a specific thing or spot, but just generally the architecture of the city. I found out that Cologne was almost completely leveled during World War II (so sad!), but some old buildings (like the cathedral, thank goodness) survived. As a result, the city is a beautiful mix of historic German architecture and modern architecture. I find the juxtaposition between old and new particularly fascinating in architecture, so I'm excited to explore all of the beautiful buildings that I come across!
7. Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum
Well, that was a mouthful! I am slowly getting used to German, but it's a process. Basically this translates to the...wait for it...Imhoff Chocolate Musuem!!! I'm not even kidding, there is a chocolate museum!!! This city was made for me, I swear. I love chocolate. Soooo much. This is a must-see. I will probably visit at least once a week and get fat.
8. Römisch-Germanisches Museum
Cologne was originally a Roman settlement a very, very long time ago (yet another super awesome thing about Cologne). This museum has a large collection of Roman artifacts found in and around Cologne. It is definitely something I must see at least once!
9. Kolumba Museum
This museum apparently has a really cool mix of ancient religious and modern secular art, which sounds extremely interesting. Plus, it has views of the cathedral. Definitely visiting.
10. Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum
This museum is all about touching everything, which is an amazing concept. It focuses on cultural diversity as well, which is yet another thing to love about Cologne. So excited to visit. Plus, right next door is an old Romanesque church that now houses a small museum of Medieval Christian art. Totally up my alley!
11. Wallraf-Richartz Museum
This is one of the biggest museums in Cologne, with an extensive collection from the 13th century to the present day, which means I am pretty much obligated to explore the whole place. I am an art history major, after all!
12. Cologne Zoological Garden
This is one of the oldest zoos in Germany. Normally I'm not a huge fan of zoos because of animal confinement and treatment, but I think its nice that this zoo puts animals in their natural habitat.
13. Claudius Therme
Natural mineral thermal bath spa. 'Nuff said.
14. Klosterkirche Groß Sankt Martin
Aka Great Saint Martin Church. Another cathedral, yay! This one was mostly destroyed in World War II, but it has since been restored. So yeah, definitely going.
15. Padlocks of Love
Probably not the official name, but that's ok! I've been noticing that many areas around the world have a setup like this now. I know there is one in Paris and one in the Yellow Mountains in China. This one is located next to the Hohenzollern Bridge on the Rhine. Basically, you get a padlock and engrave it with your name and your lover's name, and then you lock it to this fence that has a bazillion such padlocks on it and throw the key in the river. And then your love will last forever! Aww. It's pretty cute. I have to check it out just to say I went. And hey, if things continue to go well with the guy I'm seeing, maybe we'll do one of our own :)
Well, that's all I have for now. Gosh I'm so excited just looking at this list. I don't know how I'll manage to leave Cologne with all of the cool things to do. I was planning on at least traveling to Paris and other areas of Germany, but there is so much to do in Cologne alone! Ha, that rhymed.
My goal is to do all of these things (at least!), and report back once I've experienced them. With pictures, too!
4. Christmas Markets
These can generally be found in all of Germany, but I'm still really excited to go to one when I'm in Cologne! They look so adorable and fun! I went to one when I was in London, and while it was obviously not a real German Christmas Market, it was still pretty cool, and I can only imagine how great a real one would be.
5. Kölner Dom
So I've known about this site for a while, since I've wanted to visit it for a very long time, but I couldn't not include it! It is amazingly beautiful. And old. And I'm quite simply a huge sucker for old religious buildings, particularly cathedrals. This will definitely be a highlight. I want to climb all the way to the top!
6. Architecture
This is not a specific thing or spot, but just generally the architecture of the city. I found out that Cologne was almost completely leveled during World War II (so sad!), but some old buildings (like the cathedral, thank goodness) survived. As a result, the city is a beautiful mix of historic German architecture and modern architecture. I find the juxtaposition between old and new particularly fascinating in architecture, so I'm excited to explore all of the beautiful buildings that I come across!
7. Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum
Well, that was a mouthful! I am slowly getting used to German, but it's a process. Basically this translates to the...wait for it...Imhoff Chocolate Musuem!!! I'm not even kidding, there is a chocolate museum!!! This city was made for me, I swear. I love chocolate. Soooo much. This is a must-see. I will probably visit at least once a week and get fat.
8. Römisch-Germanisches Museum
Cologne was originally a Roman settlement a very, very long time ago (yet another super awesome thing about Cologne). This museum has a large collection of Roman artifacts found in and around Cologne. It is definitely something I must see at least once!
9. Kolumba Museum
This museum apparently has a really cool mix of ancient religious and modern secular art, which sounds extremely interesting. Plus, it has views of the cathedral. Definitely visiting.
10. Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum
This museum is all about touching everything, which is an amazing concept. It focuses on cultural diversity as well, which is yet another thing to love about Cologne. So excited to visit. Plus, right next door is an old Romanesque church that now houses a small museum of Medieval Christian art. Totally up my alley!
11. Wallraf-Richartz Museum
This is one of the biggest museums in Cologne, with an extensive collection from the 13th century to the present day, which means I am pretty much obligated to explore the whole place. I am an art history major, after all!
12. Cologne Zoological Garden
This is one of the oldest zoos in Germany. Normally I'm not a huge fan of zoos because of animal confinement and treatment, but I think its nice that this zoo puts animals in their natural habitat.
13. Claudius Therme
Natural mineral thermal bath spa. 'Nuff said.
14. Klosterkirche Groß Sankt Martin
Aka Great Saint Martin Church. Another cathedral, yay! This one was mostly destroyed in World War II, but it has since been restored. So yeah, definitely going.
15. Padlocks of Love
Probably not the official name, but that's ok! I've been noticing that many areas around the world have a setup like this now. I know there is one in Paris and one in the Yellow Mountains in China. This one is located next to the Hohenzollern Bridge on the Rhine. Basically, you get a padlock and engrave it with your name and your lover's name, and then you lock it to this fence that has a bazillion such padlocks on it and throw the key in the river. And then your love will last forever! Aww. It's pretty cute. I have to check it out just to say I went. And hey, if things continue to go well with the guy I'm seeing, maybe we'll do one of our own :)
Well, that's all I have for now. Gosh I'm so excited just looking at this list. I don't know how I'll manage to leave Cologne with all of the cool things to do. I was planning on at least traveling to Paris and other areas of Germany, but there is so much to do in Cologne alone! Ha, that rhymed.
My goal is to do all of these things (at least!), and report back once I've experienced them. With pictures, too!
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