Alongside one of Europe's longest rivers is Köln – or Cologne in english. Use the water to see the city by paddling in the Rhine. This lively city has a lot of things to explore and on your way between sightseeing in the Old Town and Kölner zoo you should have a stop in the iconic Cologne Cathedral, one of the world heritage sites in the country.
You can also cross over the Hohenzollern Bridge to see ”Love Locks”, where couples attach padlocks to the railing. Maybe you even want to attach one with someone special. Walk in the Botanical Garden, Volksgarten or along the harbor area Rheinauhafen. Buy some local food, for example a Kölsche Wurst (Cologne sausage), Himmel un Ääd (potatoes, apples, and blood sausage) or Kölsche Kaviar (black pudding)and eat in a green area or by the water.
There is a carnival in Cologne every year, so make sure to book your trip at the same time if you don't want to miss it. This is one of the oldest and biggest carnivals in Europe, where you spend six days celebrating.