Showing posts with label northern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label northern. Show all posts

Thursday, 31 May 2012

NORTHERN COLOGNE

Noteable Metro Stations
Christophstrasse/Mediapark – Lines 12, 15
Ebertplatz – Lines 5, 16, 18
Reichenspergerplatz – Lines 5, 18


Mediapark
Christophstrasse/Mediapark – Lines 12, 15

Cologne's Mediapark is, for the most part, a business district. It is, however, host to some impressive modern architecture, water-features, and a multi-screen cinema. Having worked in the towering KölnTurm, I can also testify that it boasts some great views of the city. The large square in the centre of the Mediapark is also often host to various events, so it is worth keeping an eye on what is going on in the area. In short, for a business district, it is not without a certain amount of charm.


Ebertplatz
Ebertplatz – Lines 5, 16, 18

Although near to Cologne's Mediapark, Ebertplatz is actually not accessible by metro from Christophstrasse/Mediapark. It is a short walk away though (about 10 minutes) and, if well-planned, a walk to Ebertplatz can incorporate a stroll by an ancient city wall and fortress. If you are handy with a map then you will also find Ebertplatz perfectly accessible by foot from the DOM and Hauptbahnhof.


The area around Ebertplatz, itself, is very attractive and filled with agreeable cafes where one can enjoy a glass of kölsch, or KiBa (short for Kirsh-Banane – a colourful and delicious mixture of cherry and banana juice). I would frequently come here, both day and night, with a book or sketchpad to unwind after a pleasant evening out nearby or a stressful day.



Ignis Villa
Reichenspergerplatz – Lines 5, 18

Ignis Villa is located at No. 6 Elsa-Brändström-Strasse, and is a small, discreet location that hosts jazz concerts, has several resident percussive dogs, and serves home-made cake. But what is exceptional about it ? IT IS OPEN ON A SUNDAY !


Cologne, just like almost every other European city, closes on a Sunday. No shops are open, and even cafes or bakeries can be hard to come by. Ignis Villa provides a rare refuge. From 5pm until 6pm you can enjoy a relaxing end to the weekend here, one that strays a little away from the norm and doesn't cost the earth (entrance is free). The cake they serve also proves handy if you have woken up on a Sunday morning, with the shops already shut, to discover that you have no food in the house.

NORTHEN COLOGNE

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

COLOGNE METRO - a travel guide


What's the best and only way to travel in Germany? The metro system, of course! And who better to point out all those wonderful spots overlooked in travel guides than a local.

OK, so I'm certainly not a local now, and I can't really claim to ever have been one, either. But I did live there for almost in a year, and I think that in this time I accrued a certain amount of local knowledge that could be useful to anyone travelling to the region that wants to know those useful things that the travel guides leave out – namely, what to do and where to go on a low budget. And, having been an intern, surviving on a half student-loan and €400 per month wage, I'm not lying when I promise that this is a travel guide for those with a very low budget indeed!

The links below will examine various areas in Cologne that I came to grow and love during my short stay, along with details on how to reach them using the city's metro system.

This is something that I should have written down a long time ago, but have been prompted to recently by a friend who is looking to move to the area for a few months and wanted a few tips – RACHELLE, this is for you.

I hope you enjoy my travel-guide.  Please feel free to leave comments with further suggestions.

 THE RHINE
 


                            NORTHERN COLOGNE




SÜLZ *






All images used in these posts are my own, unless stated (marked *).  So I simultaneously apologise for instances of poor image quality, and ask that you do not use these photos without my permission