Just 3 hours from The Hague by train, Cologne, the Cathedral city on the Rhine, is fresh and vibrant, an ideal weekend break. Whether it’s the pale dry Koelsch beer served in slick slender glasses, the cool citrusy splash of the omnipresent Eau de Cologne or the therapeutic effect of the natural mineral spring at Claudius Therme spa that make Cologne a refreshing destination is the question. Although I know Cologne’s world class museum collections and the famous Cathedral are definitely part of the thrill.

For immediate refreshment, The Claudius Therme Spa, supplied by a natural thermal spring is wonderfully rejuvenating and is said to have therapeutic benefits. Attractively designed with a Roman Bath ambience, it’s directly accessed via the cable car or ‘Seilbahn’ providing an exhilarating flight over the Rhine. As the cable car approaches the spa, a discrete peek down gives a birds-eye view of the facilities and one can clearly see that parts of the complex are “swimwear not permitted” zones. For those not in the mood for nude there are “swimwear necessary” zones as well. The indoor and outdoor pools with soothing bubbles, invigorating massage jets and waterfalls, comfy sun lounges and giant fluffy white bathrobes are heavenly. There are also saunas, herbal steam baths and massages available.

It sounds like an indulgent luxury but really a visit here is essential for one’s health!

The spa’s name ‘Claudius’ comes from Cologne’s Roman history. Cologne became recognized as a city by the Romans in 50 AD by the name Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium.Wandering about Cologne it’s difficult not to trip over vestiges of the Roman city wall and also remains of medieval towers and gates. More can be discovered on Cologne’s Roman history inside The Roman-Germanic Museum which along with a plethora of Roman headstones and the renowned Dionysus mosaic floor; are extensive and exquisitely beautiful collections of Roman jewellery and glassware. It’s remarkable that these delicate artefacts are still intact.

The museum crawl continues at The Wallraf Museum. Their collection of European Masterpieces spanning the 13th to the 19th century is beautifully arranged with themed rooms and comprehensive wall text information in English. On the first floor, the museum has one of the world’s leading collections of medieval paintings including many pieces by the 15th Century Cologne Master Stefan Lochner. These divine gilded religious works with rich colours simply ooze sumptuousness.

For the modern art lover, the funky Museum Ludwig is a veritable treasure trove of 20th and 21st century art with room after room of revelations. Not only does it boast one of the world’s largest Picasso collections but a large collection of Roy Lichtenstein’s pixelated pop art, Warhol works, fun mixed media, and ‘moving image’ art like I’ve never seen before.

Cologne is idyllically situated on the River Rhine whose banks by the Old Town are a pleasant playground for active rollerbladers, romantic promenade strollers and Koelsch beer aficionados. From the left bank, a saunter across the spectacular triple arched bridge called Hohenzollernbrücke and through the beautiful floral blanketed Rhinepark is well worthwhile. The 400metre long Hohenzollernbrücke is weighed down with a guard fence covered in sparkling ‘lovelocks’ – a cutesy couples romantic tradition of affixing a padlock to the bridge’s fence as a symbol of love.

It’s impossible to visit Cologne without noticing the Cathedral (pictured left), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The exterior's twin dark gothic spires are imposing, the interior holds the enormous 12th century gilded sarcophagus with relics of the Three Wise Men , and deep in the cellar are the priceless artefacts of the treasury. The Cathedral has definite wow factor.

The obvious Cologne souvenir is Cologne. The original Eau de Cologne was composed by an Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina in 1709 and was delivered to all royal houses in Europe. Napoleon is said to have used a bottle a day. The other Cologne was introduced in 1792, the famous wonder water Cologne 4711 with it’s flagship store on Glockengasse.

Eau de Cologne is light, vibrant, citrusy and bracing and can really be splashed on for a refreshing sensation. Grab a flacon to take back to The Hague- instant bottled Cologne refreshment!

Words and photography by Catherine Swindles
 

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