likestoread Posted October 7, 2014 #1 Share Posted October 7, 2014 We are traveling on the Viking Var from Amsterdam to Basel in November. The ship is docked in Cologne for the full day on that Monday which is the day most museums are closed. Can anyone give me alternative suggestions for what to do with the free time in the afternoon (other than drink beer)? Has anyone taken a train to Dusseldorf or Bonn? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacmom Posted October 7, 2014 #2 Share Posted October 7, 2014 You will still get your tour and perhaps an optional tour. Use the opportunity to enjoy a nice lunch in the city. If you are going when the Christmas markets are open, use your free time to tour the 7 of them. Enjoy your trip. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacmom Posted October 7, 2014 #3 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Welcome to CC. There is a wealth of info here, so ask those questions. But beware river cruising can become addictive--we leave on number 20 on the first of Dec. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisker92 Posted October 7, 2014 #4 Share Posted October 7, 2014 You can also climb to the top of the steeple on the Cologne cathedral. The view is fantastic!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deec Posted October 7, 2014 #5 Share Posted October 7, 2014 There is a great cafe across from the cathedral....white umbrellas....make sure to use the restroom!!!! Wandering the shopping area was fun.... We also did the hop on/off bus ....sat on top....touring other parts of the city with narration...it was OK not great but did give us a look! Took about 1.5 hours with not getting off...I think it was 15E (cash if you pay on bus)....and we picked it up just outside the chocolate museum you can also get on by the Cathedral and buy tickets in the Tourist info center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Trips Posted October 7, 2014 #6 Share Posted October 7, 2014 If you want the view without climbing steps, check out http://www.koelntriangle.de/observation_deck/home/index_eng.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyboy Posted October 7, 2014 #7 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Likestoread, when are you going on the Var? We will be on the Nov. 8th sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherDawn Posted October 7, 2014 #8 Share Posted October 7, 2014 You should still be able to enjoy the city, the waterfront park, and shopping. The Roman museum is to the right and behind the cathedral, and not only is the lower floor exhibit visible through large glass windows (including a wonderful mosaic floor) there are substantial pieces on display outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbb Posted October 7, 2014 #9 Share Posted October 7, 2014 off subject briefly, but wouldn't you love to have a "sticky" that everyone could contribute to that lists the public bathrooms in various ports? DeeDC and her perfect description of the "white umbrellas" across from the cathedral is right. Also we've had great luck with buying a drink (or lunch or dinner) at a cafe and then using the facilities for patrons. But sometimes, you don't need a drink....you need to get rid of one! back on subject: if you want to explore by foot or by bus the following may help get you started. I use these 2 online sources constantly. http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/germany/the-rhineland/cologne/practicalities_h2703511_tours.html http://www.frommers.com/destinations/cologne/691549#sthash.zjQ4asAf.dpbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekistics22 Posted October 7, 2014 #10 Share Posted October 7, 2014 We are traveling on the Viking Var from Amsterdam to Basel in November. The ship is docked in Cologne for the full day on that Monday which is the day most museums are closed. Can anyone give me alternative suggestions for what to do with the free time in the afternoon (other than drink beer)? Has anyone taken a train to Dusseldorf or Bonn? Thanks. Just returned from an Amsterdam to Budapest tour on Viking. My suggestions for Cologne on Mondays: 1. As others suggested, the DOM cathedral 2. St. Ursula's church (not far from #1. Closes ~ 5 pm) 3. Take the cable car ride across the Rhine 4. You are in Germany. Plenty of places to drink beer. I like Fruh Kolsch, near the DOM. 5. Explore on your own via walking or a hop on/off buss. Lots to see on both sides of the river. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrokitty Posted October 7, 2014 #11 Share Posted October 7, 2014 All my favs were mentioned by pp and I won't repeat. Suffice to say there is plenty to do and see in Cologne outside of the museum. I will add that last time I was there, a vendor was selling "berliners" just past the steps to the Cathedral. It was the most wonderful donut I ever had and I wish I had bought a bag full of them! :D Avoid using the bathroom at MacDonald's unless you're buying a burger....our tm sent me and another woman there while before touring the Cathedral, they were very very rude!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Trips Posted October 8, 2014 #12 Share Posted October 8, 2014 All my favs were mentioned by pp and I won't repeat. Suffice to say there is plenty to do and see in Cologne outside of the museum. I will add that last time I was there, a vendor was selling "berliners" just past the steps to the Cathedral. It was the most wonderful donut I ever had and I wish I had bought a bag full of them! :D Avoid using the bathroom at MacDonald's unless you're buying a burger....our tm sent me and another woman there while before touring the Cathedral, they were very very rude!!! In situations like this, rudeness is usually cured with funfzig euro cent.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasKaz Posted October 8, 2014 #13 Share Posted October 8, 2014 If you want the view without climbing steps, check out http://www.koelntriangle.de/observation_deck/home/index_eng.html Thanks for the tip - I've added it to my ever increasing list for the river cruise we're hoping to take in 2016 :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted October 9, 2014 #14 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Oh, another thing: the Remagen peace museum can be reached by train from Cologne, a regional train to Koblenz (check which side of the river it will go along) takes you through Bonn, Remagen and Andernach, terminating in Koblenz. This was written about in another thread, someone of the past cruisers here did that trip. notamermaid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted October 9, 2014 #15 Share Posted October 9, 2014 (edited) Hello likestoread, have you had a look at the following thread yet? http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2032226 Although it deals with Sunday options there are IMO some good suggestions for spending the Monday. In situations like this, rudeness is usually cured with funfzig euro cent.;) Thank you for pointing this out. With so many people, i.e. tourists, visiting Cologne everyday some places will naturally be swamped with people all needing a toilet. Understandably a lot of water will be used, that is metered and costs the restaurants money. Even if there is a sign saying "Nur für Gäste", meaning you have to eat or drink something in the establishment, a smile and polite question showing the 50 cents coin hopefully will change the mind of the waiter or owner of the respective place. When I am in Cologne I tend to go to Kaufhof Galeria at the (sort of) corner of Hohe Strasse with Schildergasse. Apart from toilets :D - again, costing 50 cents - the department store has got a nice grocery section with Cologne souvenirs and great looking chocolate gifts. Bonn is a lovely town, nice for shopping, some interesting buildings and is easy to get to by train. However, the great museums are out of town, so if you have only 3 to 4 hours I tend to think it would be more worthwhile to stay in Cologne. Düsseldorf is also interesting with different types of beer from Cologne. It has fewer antiquities than Cologne and is a younger town, with a bit more sophistication (I mean that in a neutral sense) than Cologne. So, a different atmosphere. If you think you might come to Cologne again some time in the near future, than you could have a great time exploring another town for a few hours, of course. This was written about in another thread, someone of the past cruisers here did that trip. Have fun exploring and a great trip. notamermaid P.S.: My two posts have got mixed up, reading them in reverse order makes more sense. Sorry! Edited October 9, 2014 by notamermaid Explanatory note Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Trips Posted October 9, 2014 #16 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Oh, another thing: the Remagen peace museum can be reached by train from Cologne, a regional train to Koblenz (check which side of the river it will go along) takes you through Bonn, Remagen and Andernach, terminating in Koblenz. This was written about in another thread, someone of the past cruisers here did that trip. notamermaid Here's the link http://www.bruecke-remagen.de/index_en.htm - we went there this spring from Bonn, which was much closer than Koln and also had less to see and do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likestoread Posted October 11, 2014 Author #17 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Thanks for all the great suggestions. Looks llike we won't have any trouble finding things to do in Cologne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyboy Posted October 11, 2014 #18 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Likestoread, which sailing are you on? We are on the Nov 8th sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted October 12, 2014 #19 Share Posted October 12, 2014 If you want the view without climbing steps, check out http://www.koelntriangle.de/observation_deck/home/index_eng.html Can I ask how you got there? Did you walk, take a bus or do the HOHO? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Trips Posted October 12, 2014 #20 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Can I ask how you got there? Did you walk, take a bus or do the HOHO? Thanks. The website is in my travel resource file, we opted to climb the Dom so did not do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted October 13, 2014 #21 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Hello, I have not been to KölnTriangle yet, seeing that I mostly go shopping in Cologne. :):) The view must be spectacular. The large tower is on the other side of the Rhine in Köln-Deutz. When you zoom in on google maps (set it to earth not road map) you can see that it is right across from the cathedral and the main station. You can walk across the Hohenzollernbrücke or take an S-Bahn or slow train that stops in Köln-Messe/Deutz, it is the trade fair area. Get off the train there and then just walk a short distance. There are some nice photos in the google gallery, too. I think I would do it this way: walk across the bridge to see the love locks and then return on the S-Bahn as I like approaching the town and its magnificent cathedral through the steel construction. notamermaid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted October 13, 2014 #22 Share Posted October 13, 2014 The website is in my travel resource file, we opted to climb the Dom so did not do this. Ah. Got it. Thanks. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Trips Posted October 13, 2014 #23 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Ah. Got it. Thanks. ;) Notamermaid came through though . . . Vielen dank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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