I was lucky to be able to spend some time in my beloved Cologne when I visited Germany over the holidays. It’s such a gorgeous city and it always makes me all fuzzy and happy inside when I am there. I wish it would have been a little bit sunnier (you know, natural light and such), but at least there was no snow this Christmas that could have kept me away.
I was able to stroll through the city and even did a little shopping, I visited four of the many Christmas markets within the city limits, I met my uncle – who lives in Cologne! – for Glühwein/hot chocolate, I got to see the beautifully lit Hohenzollern Bridge with its myriad of “love locks” and the majestic Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral).
{St. Mariä Himmelfahrt Church}
{Central Train Station}
{Excelsior Hotel Ernst}
{Schildergasse}
{Früh Brewery}
{Kölner Dom}
{Christmas Market Alter Markt}
{Christmas Market Neumarkt}
{Schildergasse}
{hot chocolate}
{“love locks”}
{Hohenzollern Bridge}
{Kölner Dom}
It was so, so good to be back!
mandy
January 18, 2012 at 5:29 pmIt looks so beautiful! I’m so glad that you were able to go home and visit some of your most favorite places.
Melissa
January 18, 2012 at 6:15 pmYour pictures are so gorgeous San! I would love to visit Germany one day, it’s one of those places in Europe that really intrigues me. And I can only imagine how great it was to be back with family and friends for the holidays :)
Mallori @ aiukli
January 18, 2012 at 6:16 pmI absolutely LOVE the Dom! It was very beautiful when I got to see it! It was during the summer though, so the natural light was completely different. Thanks for sharing the pictures! So pretty!!
Maribeth
January 18, 2012 at 6:23 pmEverything looks so bright and Christmas-y! I am so happy you got to go home and spend time enjoying some of your favorite places and people!
steph anne
January 18, 2012 at 7:00 pmWow, truly gorgeous!!! I miss Christmas already, haha.
Jen
January 18, 2012 at 8:00 pmBeautiful!
evi
January 19, 2012 at 7:08 amWow ! Great pictures ! :)
Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks
January 19, 2012 at 7:10 amLove the photo of the bridge and of the love locks! Also love the wreath decorations on the hotel! Beautiful photos – glad you had such a fun trip!
Heike
January 19, 2012 at 9:40 amCan we say: “our Cologne” please?
Love the pics you took. I might be able to see “Minge Dom” in natural light this year. We are planning to go to Germany to celebrate our wedding with our families! But we have to wait till the taxes are done and we can see if we can REALLY afford it!
Anyways…I am happy that you got the chance to see Koelle!
Koelle Alaaf !!!
Heike
lauryn
January 19, 2012 at 10:09 amCologne looks beautiful! No wonder you love it. These photos remind me of Florence, Italy, with all of the high, dark buildings and amazing architecture.
Holly
January 19, 2012 at 11:28 amWhat an amazing looking city! The architecture is beautiful. I want to go to a Christmas Market so badly, they look like so much fun to walk around & check out all of the stalls. & the lock bridge! I accidentally stumbled upon the one in Paris, and I was so pumped! But I didn’t have a lock on me… haha.
Missa Lee
January 19, 2012 at 12:40 pmI had the privilege to visit Cologne when I studied abroad in Spain. It was hands down one of my most favorite places in Europe. It has a certain energy. The Kölner Dom is unbelievable. I was there at Christmas time too, and it was truly magical. Jealous!
terra
January 19, 2012 at 1:03 pmThe love locks are so neat! And that hot chocolate looks amazing.
Kat
January 19, 2012 at 1:34 pmOf course this would be the post that finally makes me come out of hiding and leave a comment again! ;) I love your pictures! Although now I miss Christmas time even more than I usually do in January and February… hehe. Köln really *is* pretty awesome – and beautiful! I’m so glad you got to come back while you were in Germany!
Miranda
January 19, 2012 at 9:11 pmlove how the Bahnhof looks! Berlin’s is almost as beautiful!
Lauren
January 19, 2012 at 10:25 pmI love Cologne! I went to Germany in high school and that was my favorite thing we did!
Pia
January 25, 2012 at 9:55 amI live in Cologne!! It really is a wonderful city and if I ever have to move, I am going to miss it dearly. Where exactly do you live?
And your blog is absolutely wonderful! Thank you for stopping by mine so I could find yours. :)