| Cologne is the oldest major German cities and still | | | | where Eau de Cologne originated in 1709. |
| characterized by its 2000 years of history. | | | | The Fischmarkt is located on the bank of the |
| Cologne has just over one million inhabitants and is | | | | Rhine and contains a variety of bars and |
| the fourth-largest city in Germany. It lies on the | | | | restaurants where you can enjoy a cold Kolsch at |
| Rhine. The centre of the city was completely | | | | any time of the day. Night clubs and style bars |
| destroyed during World War Two. It is a | | | | are dispersed around the town in the Altstadt |
| favourite throughout Europe as a conference | | | | around Buttermarkt and Salzgasse area. The city |
| venue, hosting conventions covering every thing | | | | is well-known for its beer, called Kolsch. Kolsch is |
| from heavy engineering to popular music. | | | | also the name of the local dialect. |
| The main shopping streets are along the Hohe | | | | The city is home to over 80.000 students and |
| Strasse a pedestrian shopping street with several | | | | the second largest gay community of the world |
| nice 19th Century buildings. The pedestrian areas | | | | after San Francisco. |
| in the main part of the city are even packed with | | | | The people of Cologne are always merry and |
| window shoppers during the evening. | | | | relaxed, not just during the world-famous carnival |
| Eau de cologne was invented here in 1709 and is | | | | season. |
| still produced in the city. The city's most famous | | | | It is best to come to Cologne in December when |
| product is Eau de Cologne with two shops worth | | | | the colourful and vibrant Christmas markets use |
| noting. The 4711-Haus at Glockengasse 4711 has | | | | the Dom as a dramatic backdrop and bring it to |
| the more famous name but the Farina-Haus, | | | | life. |
| opposite the town hall at Obenmarspforten 21, is | | | | |