The scenery continued to delight the following day when we had a morning to relax on Emerald Star before our post lunch stop in Cologne. It was here we tried out the individual audio system provided for passengers during guided tours. No longer do you have to follow a chap with a large umbrella and a booming voice, now you have ear-phones and a battery pack so you tune into your guide who is able to talk at a normal volume into a head microphone. Lagging behind to take a photo? No problem, you can still hear what’s being said. Fancy doing your own thing for a while? Easy: just wander off and if you see one of your party later on, just twiddle the buttons and tune in again.
Our guide in Cologne, Peter, showed us some of the beautiful houses and cobbled streets of the Old Town which were painstakingly restored after the war, before directing us to the magnificent twin-towered Gothic Cathedral. In the searing heat of the day, the inside of the cathedral was the place to be, and not just to see the stunning shrine of the Three Kings.
Having learned only a few weeks prior to our trip that the French authorities were going to start removing weighty love-locks from the Pont de Arts in Paris, we were curious about Hohenzollern Bridge which is equally adorned with such decoration. With great pride Peter assured us that, due to German engineering, there was no likelihood of a similar fate in Cologne.
Personal guides are invaluable when they point out the little things that might have passed you by such as the small statue on the town hall provocatively sticking his tongue out at the church opposite or the figure on the wall of a man’s house, mooning at the tax collectors. Bottoms always get a laugh.
Cologne was a beautiful city and we were pleased to have time to explore a little on our own, to buy some Eau de Cologne and discover the Nutcracker House to see some traditional cuckoo clocks, ornaments and Christmas pyramids. We were so taken with the craftsmanship, we bought a smoking man to take home with some Glühwein-scented incense for him to smoke. Roll on December when he can take pride of place back home.
As in Amsterdam, the ship was moored in the centre of the city. It was an easy saunter back with our souvenirs and, as we cooled off before dinner, the ship moved off to leave us with a final glimpse of the silhouette of Cologne in its wake.
 |
| Restored houses in the old town (photo courtesy of Richard Joseph) |
 |
| Cologne Cathedral (photo courtesy of Richard Joseph) |
 |
| Interior of Cologne Cathedral showing golden shrine of the Magi (photo courtesy of Richard Joseph) |
 |
| Love-locks on Hohenzollern Bridge (photo courtesy of Richard Joseph) |
 |
| Mooning man (photo courtesy of Richard Joseph) |
 |
| Smoking man |
Our Rhine-Main Discovery Tour was commissioned by Cruise International magazine. Dougie and I were guests of Emerald Waterways. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
All but the final photograph in this post were provided by my friend and fellow passenger, Richard Joseph.
What are these love locks for? I didn't get that part.
Love locks have become a bit of a phenomenon recently. AS a way to express their love for each other, couples have padlocks engraved with their names and attach them to bridges and monuments, usually throwing away the key. Some bridges are becoming so weighed down by them that in some countries the authorities are removing them. Not in Cologne, where the locks are treated as a tourist attraction.
Stunning, Simply stunning. I shall be adding this trip to my bucket list. Thanks for taking us on a tour with us!
My pleasure. It's amazing what you can see in one afternoon – a taster for a weekend break maybe?
I'm trying to tempt my mister into trying a train trip or a cruise…but he is resisting…time will tell.
A rail trip is next in our plans – we have fancied one for ages and Michael Portillo has us all fired up. You would really enjoy the river cruise, Libby. Try and convince the mister – he's missing a real treat.
Great post dear! Have a wonderful day:)
irenethayer.com
Thank you Irene 🙂
This sounds like a very interesting cruise. I agree that a personal guide is really worth paying for if you can. Richard's photos are great! #CityTripping
All the guided tours are included in the river cruise itinerary which is so handy. Having just a short time in some places meant that the guides could take you to the main sights but still give you time for a wander on your own.
Glad you like Richard's photos – five of his appeared in the Cruise International magazine to accompany my article – I was so grateful to him.
I'm sure it must've been lovely to take a quiet river cruise 🙂 #citytripping
It was a fantastic week – we saw so much of the beautiful sights along the Rhine.
My friends and I have been toying with the idea of going to Cologne next year – but I must admit, I didn't really have an opinion on the city. And for some reason assumed it would be devoid of colour… how awful! I'm glad you've put me straight. It looks very pretty. I'm not a huge fan of tours but having your own headset and wandering off sounds a good compromise #citytripping
Yes, the old town is full of colour – as you can see – glad to have changed your mind, Ting.
The tours were complimentary with the river cruise and the headsets made a big difference. Never think to book one when we are on a city break but for just a short time, it does help to focus the mind!
I lived in Germany for a year, not too far from Cologne – I loved the immense cathedral but I'm sure I don't remember the houses being so colourful. It is almost 20 years ago admittedly! Thanks for joining in #citytripping
The sun was shining so the colours were even more glorious. Maybe they have had a touch-up since you were there? 😉
Cologne looks gorgeous. I'd love to visit with my two. How family friendly was the river cruise?
At the moment river cruises do focus on the older clientele. Although there is nothing to say children can't go, the cruise lines at the moment aren't really geared up for families with young children, unlike ocean cruises. I think things will hopefully change as I think kids would love this way of travelling.
You've totally sold the city of Cologne to me, Trish. Fantastic pictures – particularly the mooning man- brilliant. I like the sound of the audio guide but having a personal one is an excellent way to learn about the city in detail – especially when you have limited time. I love the sound of your river cruise! Thanks for linking up to #citytripping x
I probably didn't explain the guide system. We had a personal guide who talked quietly through his microphone. We were able to pick up his words through our headphones – which is what I meant by an audio guide system – but that does sound like the ones you have in a museum! I think I will alter the text!
Stunning photos!! I went to Cologne twice by never spent more than a day, the only thing I remember is the Cathedral! I have to go back and see more 😀
Great photos by the way!
#citytripping
Isn't that always the way – you make a bee-line for the most famous part of the city and neglect the rest. We loved wandering around the Old Town and it was very close to the Cathedral.
Cologne made a strong impression on me when we stopped there for a night on a school trip on our way somewhere else (I actually forget where, but it may have been Amsterdam). I don't remember why, exactly, just that I thought it was very cool. And we didn't even see it by daylight!
During our cruise we saw a glimpse of Frankfurt at night and it was magical. Darkness can transform a city, so I can imagine Cologne is just as arresting.