Cologne the Magical Place

After a good night rest, begin your day with a delicious breakfast at Wanda. The café offers a wide range of food which suits for every taste.
Opening Hours MON – SAT 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. SUN 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. On special public holidays we are open for you until 1 p.m.

After the breakfast, you are going to visit this impressive castle in North Rhine – Westphalia. It was built in 1725 on the foundation of a medieval castle by Clemens August of Bavaria, Prince-Elector, and archbishop of Cologne. The castle is a great example of an 18th century Rococo architecture and served the residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne. The building consists of three wings, two orangeries, an oratory and service buildings. Other features are the impressive staircase, columns, and beautiful, frescoed ceilings.
The Falkenlust is a country house and has the same breathtaking decoration as the castle.
The Chapel is also unique. The walls remind you to a sea cave as they decorated with shells.
The garden is created by the talented designer Dominique Girard. It consists symmetrical flowerbeds, monumental ramps, impressive fountains, small cascade, and a mirror pool. There are also pathways and alleys lined with lime trees. The building with its extensive park and gardens and park now protected by the international “Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural heritage”.
Immerse yourself in the 18th century Germany and enjoy the walk through the beautiful park and flowering gardens.
Monday closed Tuesday to Friday 9 am - 4 pm (last admission) Saturday | Sunday | Public Holidays 10 am - 5 pm (last admission) December, January, February closed

Your next destination is the historic Old Town of Cologne. As you are exploring this ancient part of the city, you will find yourself walking between old traditional houses, squares, fountains, monuments, and ancient ruins. Let's visit the oldest city hall in Germany. It was built in 1330 and the building reflects its rich history which goes back more than 900 years. The council who worked here during the 11th century was a great example for self-gained municipal autonomy. This had an effect of the building`s architectural style which includes the historic town hall from the 14th century, the tower from the 15th century which built in a Gothic style, the Renaissance style loggia from the 16th century, and the Modern Movement atrium (the Pizzetta) from the 20th century.
Begin the discovery with the historic town hall. This is the oldest part of the building, which originally was a Romanesque style council house. It named after the Hanseatic League after a summit in 1367. Admire the stone figures which represents the Nine Worthies, the Emperor, and the Privileges. After the town hall, visit the tower which built from 1407 until 1414. The 61 meters edifice has five storeys and a council cellar (Ratskeller) which mainly used for storing documents as well as housed the Senatassaal (Cologne Senate). The exterior contains many stone figures. Finally, don't forget to listen the 48 bronze bells' carillon which plays four times a day. (09.00 o'clock, 12.00 o'clock, 15.00 o'clock and 18.00 o'clock)
Next explore the loggia, which is two storeys, five bay long and two bay deep arcade. At ground level, it is the entrance to the main hall and on the upper floor it also functions as a balcony where public speech was sounded throughout the years.
Finally, check out the newest part of the building, the Piazzetta. The 900 square meter and 12.6-meter-tall atrium was built after the war during the restoration of the town hall.
Even if the main building is not open, it is still worth a visit. Walk around and admire this historical site.
Opening Hours Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday – Sunday: Closed

It is time for a break. This restaurant is open since the 1950s and situated in the heart of Cologne. Enjoy your lunch with the views of the cathedral's spires from the terrace.
Opening Hours Sunday to Thursday 09:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday 09:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

This majestic building is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. It situated on the left bank of the Rhine. The construction of this Gothic masterpiece was begun in 1248 and completed in 1880.
Let`s discover this exceptional work. The cathedral is a five aisled basilica which contains a projecting transept, a tower façade, 56 pillars, and a 157-meter-high twin towers.
As you are walking in, you face with many treasures. Admire the Three Kings from the 12th century, the Treasure Chamber which gives you an insight of many ancient reliquaries and manuscripts, the relief of the Adoration of the Kings from 1440, the high altar which made from monolithic slab of black limestone, the Holy Cross in the Chapel, the Gero Crucifix from the late 10th century and the altarpiece of St Clare (c 1350-1400).
Continue with the exploration of the coir where you find beautiful carved oak stalls (1308-11), painted screens (1332-40), and the fourteen statues on the pillars (c 1300).
You can find other features in the cathedral such as the largest cycle of stained-glass windows in Europe from the 14th century, and also the largest reliquary shrine, the Shrine of the Magi (1180-1225).
Finally, visit the tombs of the twelve archbishops who lived here between 976 and 1612.
Before you are going to your next visiting place, climb up to the south tower and enjoy the panoramic view.
Opening Hours Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm Sunday 1pm – 4pm

Your next visit is a garden with a combination of French baroque, Italian renaissance, and English landscape. It established in the 19th century and covers 11.5 hectares. The garden is home for more than 10 000 plant species. In the center you find the Flora which is a historic building which gives home for different events. Learn about the various plants and enjoy the tropical greenhouses and the Palm House.
Opening Hours Botanical Garden: 8:00 a.m. to dusk (max. 9:00 p.m.) Subtropical house: 10.00 - 16.00 / 18.00 (winter / summer)

Your next visit is this Romanesque church which was dedicated to saint Gereon who was a Roman officer. He was beheaded here in the third century. The first mention of this church dates back to 612 and it designated to a minor basilica in 1920.
The integration of ancient walls is an architectural uniqueness of the building. It has an oval shape with a dome on top. The basilica also includes an annexed nave chancel, a crypt, and two side chapels. The chapel on the right is from 1897 and it features a Pieta sculpture and an apse vault with unique paintings of vines and cross.
Inside the basilica you find a variety of precious ancient relics such as medieval mosaics, and murals. The strongly colored windows created by Georg Meistermann gives you a fantastic light experience which reminds you the Middle Ages. The bright red paintings with golden ornaments are also add to this experience.
Outside the church admire the square shaped apse and the two towers on the east, the sculpture of St Gereon in the park which created by Iskender Yediler in 2002.
Opening Hours Monday - Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

After the beautiful tour in the basilica, it is time to have a dinner. Haus Scholzen is a cozy, traditional tavern. It offers a vide variety of home style dishes and drinks such as German beers. Enjoy!
Opening Hours Wed to Sun: 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Monday - Tuesday: Closed Warm kitchen: 12:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

It is time for check in your hotel. Tonight, you spend your night in this cozy and elegant place. Book the junior suite so you can enjoy its private sauna and whirlpool. Have a great time, relax and get ready for your final day.