Cologne
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Cologne
Cologne is located in western Germany in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and is the fourth largest city in the country with a population of over 1.1 million. The city covers an area of 405 square kilometers (156 sq/ mi) and lies on the banks of the Rhine River. Cologne was founded by the Romans and later settled by the Franks in the 5th century. During the Middle Ages, it became a powerful member of the Hanseatic League and the largest German-speaking city of its time. Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248; today, with its 157 meters (515 ft), it is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cologne Cathedral is the most visited monument in Germany, with 6 million tourists visiting it annually. The University of Cologne, founded in 1388, is the sixth oldest university in Central Europe. Other attractions include the Hohenzollern Bridge, the Old Town and numerous Romanesque churches. Shopping malls are located along Schildergasse and Hohe Straße, two of the busiest shopping streets in Europe. Local cuisine includes dishes such as Himmel un Äd, Rheinischer Sauerbraten and the famous Kölsch beer. https://www.cologne-tourism.com/
Bonn
Bonn is a federal city located on the banks of the Rhine River, south-southeast of Cologne. Between 1949 and 1990, Bonn served as the capital of West Germany and played an important political role during the Cold War. Today, it is a lively university city and an international center for organizations of the United Nations. Bonn is also famous as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the greatest composers in classical music history. https://international.bonn.de/
Car: 29 km (18 mi), 0:30 - 0:45 hour
Train: 0:22 - 0:29 hour
Aachen
Aachen is the westernmost city in Germany, located near the borders with Belgium and the Netherlands. The city is best known for Aachen Cathedral, a masterpiece of Carolingian architecture that was built between 792 and 805 on the initiative of Charlemagne. The cathedral served as the coronation church of German kings for centuries and was the first German site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. Aachen has a rich imperial history and is also known today as an important university and spa city. https://www.aachen-tourismus.de/en/
Car: 78 km (48.7 mi), 1:15 - 1:30 hour
Train: 0:34 - 0:53 hour
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city has a population of approximately 640,000. It was first mentioned in 1135 and received city rights in 1288. Düsseldorf is known for its elegant Rhine promenade, a rich cultural life with numerous museums and galleries, and the modern Rhine Tower towering 240 meters above the city. Shops are located along Königsallee and Schadowstraße. The Old Town is famous for its local cuisine, including Rheinischer Sauerbraten and traditional altbier brewed in local breweries. https://www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/en
Car: 44 km (27.5 mi), 0:45 hour
Train: 0:21 - 0:30 hour
