Have you ever just thought fuck it. Where is the cheapest flight to and gone? I have – and this is my second time. The first time was to Venice, Italy with my boy and this time it’s to Cologne, Germany with my Daughter and sister.
Last time, we booked with Ryanair and this time too. Cheapest flights around it seems! Good for my wallet. £48.98 each return.
I decided to get an earlier flight than last time so we could spend more time there. There was several places I wanted to go, so having the time to do it was essential. Turns out I needed more!
We got up at 3am, had showers, got dressed and left mine for 4am. Like I did last time, I parked up at Harlow train station and caught the train to Stanstead. £10 parking plus the £36.90 for all of us on the train is cheaper than paying for the airport parking!
We arrived at the airport at around 6am. Headed straight through security, which was surprisingly quick this time. Only 35 minutes as apposed to the 60+ from when me and my boy went to Italy.
Of course we had to stop at Spoons!
I had 3 pints of Stella, my sister had 2 Strawberry Daiquiri and my daughter had a pint of Thatchers. All at 6.40am! Outrageous! The girls also got some breakfast. I wasn’t hungry so didn’t have anything.
We started boarding the plane at around 8.30 and headed to Germany shortly after.
We arrived in Cologne at around 11.30am local time. Found the nearest travel place and got ourselves a Köln Card from the local bus kiosk place called Transdev Vertrieb. For all 3 of us with unlimited travel on the buses, trams and trains in and around Cologne. It only cost us €19 (approx £16.33).
We eventually arrived in the main city at around 13.40 local time (after heading the wrong direction for the trains). We grabbed some lunch and then headed over to the Köln Cathedral. We paid for a tour in the booking office opposite. We got to look around the main cathedral, the treasury and the tower. For me and my daughter it cost around €36 for entry (approx £30).
Check each section for photos taken throughout the day –
Treasury photos.
Walking around Cologne City
Around the tower
Dinner time!
When we finished and headed back
Around the Cathedral
Walking around Cologne City
Around the tower
Dinner time!
When we finished and headed back
The Treasury was cool. Before going in, they made you take all bags etc off and put them in a locker. It was extremely quiet walking around there. Almost like a library. There were loads of exhibits which were gold and with gems in them. I didn’t take too many photos, so some of the ones below are my sisters.
Around the Cathedral
Treasury photos.
Around the tower
Dinner time!
When we finished and headed back
After a walk around the treasury we decided to have walk around town and grab some drinks. It was so busy.
My sister had to pop into every single sweet shop she saw spending god only knows how much!
Around the Cathedral
Treasury photos.
Walking around Cologne City
Dinner time!
When we finished and headed back
About an hour later we went back to the cathedral and climbed the tower.
We climbed all 533 steps to the top. Here are a few photos.
Around the Cathedral
Treasury photos.
Walking around Cologne City
Around the tower
When we finished and headed back
After a long day of walking about the Cathedral and climbing the neverending steps to the top of the tower, we decided to grab some dinner. Of course being in Germany, I had to have a German sausage. We stopped at a place not too far from the train station called Gaffel Am Dom
The food was absolutely amazing, however I would recommend if you want to go, then you book. We were lucky we got a table. It was packed.
Around the Cathedral
Treasury photos.
Walking around Cologne City
Around the tower
Dinner time!
After dinner we headed back to the train station and caught a train back to the airport. Unfortunatrly upon arrival we found that our plane had been delayed by an hour. Not that bad all things considered – or so we thought! I realised that because the plane will be getting back to Stanstead late, we would miss the last train back to Harlow. New plan – The bus! We had to wait an hour for the bus and then an hour journey to get us close to the train station. We were all so tired. Exhausted. So much so that we took a break at Thurrock Services, and then again at Farthing Corner Services. Oh how I was longing for home at this point. Eventually we made it. All safe.
