Cologne, Germany

Our first stop along the Rhine is Cologne. While the history dates back as far as a Roman settlement in 50 BC, the first permanent bridge over the Rhine was in 310 AD. Once the Romans left in the 5th Century, Cologne was ruled by the Franks. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Cologne becomes part of Prussia. At the end of WW II, 90% of the old city was destroyed. Fortunately, the flagship tourist destination of today, the Cologne Cathedral, was unscathed. We enjoy a walking tour and a tour of the cathedral which Is a stunning example of Gothic architecture. We did not anticipate a flea market in town as well as a three day holiday. There were thousands of people in town for the day.