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Cologne is Germany‘s fourth-largest city after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, and is the largest city both in the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than 12 million inhabitants. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany, having been founded by the Romans in the year 30 b.c. Cologne was granted the status of a Roman "city" in the year 50. Cologne lies at the Rhine. The city‘s famous Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishopric of Cologne.

The University of Cologne (Universität zu Köln) is one of Europe‘s oldest universities and internationally renowned for its departments of economics and computer science. Also important to the city is its Kölsch beer. Cologne is the economic and cultural capital of the Rhineland and has a vibrant art scene. Cologne counts over 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. Exhibitions range from local ancient Roman archaeological sites to contemporary graphics and sculpture.

The city‘s Trade Fair Grounds are host to a number of trade shows such as the Art Cologne Fair, the International Furniture Fair (IMM) and the Photokina. Cologne is also well known for its celebration of Cologne Carnival. In 2005 Cologne hosted the 20th Roman Catholic World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI. It was one of the largest ever meetings, with over a million participants. Cologne is well-known for its beer, called Kölsch. Kölsch is also the name of the local dialect. This has led to the common joke that Kölsch is the only language you can drink.

Cologne is also famous for Eau de Cologne (Kölnisch Wasser). At the beginning of the 18th century, Italian expatriate Johann Maria Farina) created a new fragrance and named it after his hometown Cologne, Eau de Cologne (Water from Cologne). In the course of the 18th century the fragrance became increasingly popular. Eventually, Cologne merchant Wilhelm Mülhens secured the name Farina, which at that time had become a household name for Eau de Cologne, under contract and opened a small factory at Cologne‘s Glockengasse. In later years, and under pressure from court battles, his grandson Ferdinand Mülhens chose a new name for the firm and their product.

It was the house number that was given to the factory at Glockengasse during French occupation of the Rhineland in the early 19th century, number 4711. In 1994, the Mülhens family sold their company to German Wella corporation. In 2003 Procter & Gamble took over Wella. Today, original Eau de Cologne still is produced in Cologne by both the Farina family (Farina gegenüber since 1709), currently in the eighth generation, and by Mäurer and Wirtz who bought the 4711 brand in December 2006.

The city today became home to a large number of Federal agencies and organisations. After re-unification in 1990 a new situation has been politically co-ordinated with the new Federal capital city of Berlin.In the 1980s and 1990s Cologne‘s economy prospered from two factors: First, the steady growth in the number of media companies, pertaining to both the private and the public sector. Catering especially to these companies is the newly developed Media Park, which creates a strongly visual focal point in downtown Cologne and includes the KölnTurm, one of Cologne‘s most prominent high-rises. And second, a permanent improvement of the diverse traffic infrastructure, which makes Cologne one of the most easily accessible metropolitan areas in Central Europe.

Due to the economic success of the Cologne Trade Fair, the city arranged a large extension to the fair site in 2005. At the same time the original buildings, which date back to the 1920s are rented out to RTL, Germany‘s largest private broadcaster, as their new corporate headquarters.

GO THERE FOR

The History – It is one of the oldest cities in Germany, having been founded by the Romans in the year 30 b.c. Cologne was granted the status of a Roman "city" in the year 50. Cologne lies at the Rhine.

The Cuisine – With 225 Michelin stars in Germany and in Cologne itself; German cuisine, and Cologne at its centre, has become a force to be reckoned with. Nine restaurants in 2010 may lead three Michelin stars. Among them are the re-Restaurant Dieter Müller at Schlosshotel Lerbach and Vendôme at the Grand Hotel Schloss Bensberg, Bergisch Gladbach both.

Cologne is situated to the gourmet restaurant "Le Moissonnier" on Hansaring only a two-star hotel. Top quality with an asterisk offer the Capricorn Aries Restaurant (French) in the southern city, L'escalier in the Belgian Quarter, La Société (German cuisine) in Kwartier Lateng and La Vision in the southern city.

The Museums – It would be hard to find a greater concentration of art and artefacts in one place anywhere in the world other than on Cologne Museums.

The Culture – Cologne offers a stunning array of cultural pursuits, from opera and theatre to cinemas and gig venues, with a huge number of events taking place all year round.


DON’T MISS

Museums Ludwig – Museum Ludwig focuses on art from the 20th century, showcasing paintings, sculptures, drawings, graphic art, and photography. The exhibition includes German Expressionism, Bauhaus, and Russian avant-garde, as well as an extensive collection of Picasso paintings. Museum Ludwig also houses the largest Pop art collection outside the U.S., with masterpieces by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

The Cathedral of Cologne – The Cathedral of Cologne is one of Germany's most important architectural monuments and part of our list Top Ten Sights and Attractions in Germany.
This Gothic masterpiece, situated in the heart of Cologne, is the third tallest cathedral in the world and boasts the highest church spires ever built. The Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site, is the city's famous landmark and one of the most important architectural monuments in Germany.

Cologne Carnival – The carnival season in Germany officially begins on November 11th, at 11:11 a.m. In this magic hour, the "Council of Eleven" comes together to plan the events for the upcoming festivities. The official hats of the councils' members: Colorful fool's caps with little bells.  But the real "crazy days" do not start before the so-called Weiberfastnacht (Shrove Thursday), the Thursday before Rosenmontag (Carnival Monday). The "crazy days" of Carnival are celebrated with parties on the streets, in public squares and in pubs. Closing times for pubs and bars are suspended for the duration of the festival.


BASICS

Country Code: +49
City Code: 0221
Emergency Services: 110 (for police); 112 (for fire and ambulance)
Directory Enquiries: 11880
Electricity: 220V/50HZ, European two-pin
Language: German
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Exchange Rate: EUR 1 = GBP 0.84; GBP 1 = EUR 1.18 (Subject to change)
Time: CET (UTC +1), Summer - CEST (UTC +2)

Cologne Airport Konrad Adenauer
General Enquiries: +49 (0)22 03 - 404001/02
www.airport-cgn.de

Cologne Bonn Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in Germany. Every year more than 10 million passengers opt for the Airport where “everything is close at hand” and which ranks number six in a nationwide comparison of passenger statistics. Cargo business, the Airport’s second foothold, is thriving, too: handling around 90,000 metric ton of air cargo in a year, Cologne/Bonn is second only to Frankfurt in this ranking.

How to get there
We recommend travelling with Lufthansa, who operate between the world and Cologne, and offer a comfortable and efficient service. There are also die Train DB Deutsche Train ICE operating from Dusseldorf Airport in 23 Minutes and from Frankfurt Inter. Airport (230km ca.) in only 54 minutes.

GETTING AROUND
From the Airport…
If you are arranging your own transport away from the airport the S-Bahn is the most convenient way to travel. With services leaving from the airport directly into Cologne Hauptbahnhof up to three times every hour at a cost of only €2.30 for a one way ticket, the 15 minute journey is the most direct. Car hire is available from the airport or a taxi ride will set you back between €25 and €30 and takes approximately 24 minutes to the city.

Around Town…
There are over 1000 taxis in Cologne so hailing one down on the street is usually fairly easy, if not there are a number of designated taxi ranks throughout the city. All taxis charge a standard pick up fee of €2,50, the cost per mile during the day is reasonable but prices do increase if travelling at night so check before you get in the cab.

WHEN TO GO
The weather in Cologne is fairly pleasant throughout the year, being at its warmest during the months of July and August, and coldest between December and January. Cologne's main tourist season falls between May and September, when the local climate is at its best and plenty of fine, clear skies can be enjoyed. The carnival season in Germany officially begins on November 11th, at 11:11 a.m. In this magic hour, the "Council of Eleven" comes together to plan the events for the upcoming festivities. But the real "crazy days" do not start before the so-called Weiberfastnacht (Shrove Thursday), the Thursday before Rosenmontag (Carnival Monday). The "crazy days" of Carnival are celebrated with parties on the streets, in public squares and in pubs. Closing times for pubs and bars are suspended for the duration of the festival.

Public Holidays in Berlin:
1st January – New Year’s Day
Variable - Carnival
Variable – Good Friday
Variable – Easter Monday
1st May – Labour Day
Variable - Ascension Day
Variable – Whit Monday
3rd October – German Unity Day
11st November – Carnival officially begins
25th December – Christmas Day
26th December – St. Stephen’s Day