As one of Germany’s oldest cities, with a continuous history of over 2.000 years and home to one of the world’s grandest architectural monuments, Cologne transforms into a winter wonderland with countless Christmas market stands. A main reason to travel on this particular Sunday is that the shops in downtown Cologne are open! In fact, did you know that virtually everything is cheaper in Germany than in Brussels, often way cheaper. Clothes, shoes, and even toiletries. If you would a bit of shopping, you would instantly earn your money for this trip back. That’s a great deal!
At less than 2,5 hours from Brussels, the country’s 4th largest city (after Berlin, Hamburg and München) has so much to offer that one day trip may not be enough. However, Expat Club managed to arrange a great program that takes you along the major sites and best Christmas markets.
We depart from Place Schuman at 8h00 in the morning with a very comfortable 4* double-deck coach (on-board toilet, AC, DVD/TV, reclining seats with extra leg space). Of course we serve you a complimentary drink and snacks. We also make one stop to stretch our legs, use the restrooms and get a cup of coffee. We arrive around 10h30 in Köln, right next to the Kölner Dom.
Upon arrival we split up the group in two or three smaller ones and follow an official local guide who takes us through the various parts of the “Alt Stadt” (old town). Moreover, we learn about the city’s history that spans two millennia, including the dark days of the Second World War. As you may know, Cologne was bombed heavily and there was hardly anything left of the old town. Fortunately thanks to great reconstruction efforts in the postwar period the city has regained much of its former glory.
After our guided tour (included) we have lunch in a typical Kölner restaurant. Food is very good and affordable. Also, this is a great way to socialise with fellow travellers. Lunch is optional, but since you have to eat anyway, why not just join the group? During the bus ride you can choose between various meals.
Although the guide takes us to the Cathedral, we won’t actually go in there until after lunch. This famous World Heritage site dominates the skyline of the city with its 157,4 meters high twin towers. Being Germany’s most visited attraction it receives over 20.000 visitors per day. Its most famous work of art, the Shrine of the Three Kings, is said to contain the remains of the three wise men who visited baby Jesus after his birth.
Besides the Shrine, there are several other reasons to visit the Dom, such as the magnificent stained glass windows, the “flying” buttresses, the opulent Treasury and of course the 533 steps leading to the magnificent panoramic view at 100 meters. During the climb you will pass by the “d’r Dicke Pitter” the largest freely swinging bell in the world, weighing 24 tons!
For those who would like to view Cologne from the water, we are going to make a 1-hour boat ride after lunch (€11, optional). It takes us along the Old Town and the modern waterfront. It’s a time to relax and unwind, and of course to socialise with other passengers. We have reserved a special Expat Club section on the boat. After we are back on land there is time to stroll along the various Christmas markets in the center. We provide you with maps and information about the various markets.
In the early evening we may gather around one particular Christmas market stand for some socialising while enjoying hot mulled wine and typical Christmas dishes. It will be a great way to get to meet more people in our group.
When it comes to food, we assure you that it is virtually impossible to go back to Brussels with an empty stomach. There will be food in abundance!
Our luxury bus leaves again around 20h00 (non-stop), so we will be back in Brussels by 22h30. Since there is extra leg space and the seats recline a lot, you might just want to enjoy the comfortable. So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
NOTE: We have listened to the feedback from our passengers last year. In 2014 we left already at 18h00, which didn’t leave us enough time to visit all Christmas markets (7 in total!). This year another issue is that the city is closed for coaches between 15h00 and 20h00. To avoid our group has to travel by public transportation to the bus parking on the other side of the city, we therefore choose to stay extra long and enjoy more time at the markets. We can then also have some dinner and board the bus again next to the Cathedral when the regular road has been reopened. This is much more convenient for everyone, gives us more time and saves us the hassle of time-consuming shuttle transportation. At Expat Club we love to think about these details!
As one of Germany’s oldest cities, with a continuous history of over 2.000 years and home to one of the world’s grandest architectural monuments, Cologne transforms into a winter wonderland with countless Christmas market stands. A main reason to travel on this particular Sunday is that the shops in downtown Cologne are open! In fact, did you know that virtually everything is cheaper in Germany than in Brussels, often way cheaper. Clothes, shoes, and even toiletries. If you would a bit of shopping, you would instantly earn your money for this trip back. That’s a great deal!
At less than 2,5 hours from Brussels, the country’s 4th largest city (after Berlin, Hamburg and München) has so much to offer that one day trip may not be enough. However, Expat Club managed to arrange a great program that takes you along the major sites and best Christmas markets.
We depart from Place Schuman at 8h00 in the morning with a very comfortable 4* double-deck coach (on-board toilet, AC, DVD/TV, reclining seats with extra leg space). Of course we serve you a complimentary drink and snacks. We also make one stop to stretch our legs, use the restrooms and get a cup of coffee. We arrive around 10h30 in Köln, right next to the Kölner Dom.
Upon arrival we split up the group in two or three smaller ones and follow an official local guide who takes us through the various parts of the “Alt Stadt” (old town). Moreover, we learn about the city’s history that spans two millennia, including the dark days of the Second World War. As you may know, Cologne was bombed heavily and there was hardly anything left of the old town. Fortunately thanks to great reconstruction efforts in the postwar period the city has regained much of its former glory.
After our guided tour (included) we have lunch in a typical Kölner restaurant. Food is very good and affordable. Also, this is a great way to socialise with fellow travellers. Lunch is optional, but since you have to eat anyway, why not just join the group? During the bus ride you can choose between various meals.
Although the guide takes us to the Cathedral, we won’t actually go in there until after lunch. This famous World Heritage site dominates the skyline of the city with its 157,4 meters high twin towers. Being Germany’s most visited attraction it receives over 20.000 visitors per day. Its most famous work of art, the Shrine of the Three Kings, is said to contain the remains of the three wise men who visited baby Jesus after his birth.
Besides the Shrine, there are several other reasons to visit the Dom, such as the magnificent stained glass windows, the “flying” buttresses, the opulent Treasury and of course the 533 steps leading to the magnificent panoramic view at 100 meters. During the climb you will pass by the “d’r Dicke Pitter” the largest freely swinging bell in the world, weighing 24 tons!
For those who would like to view Cologne from the water, we are going to make a 1-hour boat ride after lunch (€11, optional). It takes us along the Old Town and the modern waterfront. It’s a time to relax and unwind, and of course to socialise with other passengers. We have reserved a special Expat Club section on the boat. After we are back on land there is time to stroll along the various Christmas markets in the center. We provide you with maps and information about the various markets.
In the early evening we may gather around one particular Christmas market stand for some socialising while enjoying hot mulled wine and typical Christmas dishes. It will be a great way to get to meet more people in our group.
When it comes to food, we assure you that it is virtually impossible to go back to Brussels with an empty stomach. There will be food in abundance!
Our luxury bus leaves again around 20h00 (non-stop), so we will be back in Brussels by 22h30. Since there is extra leg space and the seats recline a lot, you might just want to enjoy the comfortable. So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
NOTE: We have listened to the feedback from our passengers last year. In 2014 we left already at 18h00, which didn’t leave us enough time to visit all Christmas markets (7 in total!). This year another issue is that the city is closed for coaches between 15h00 and 20h00. To avoid our group has to travel by public transportation to the bus parking on the other side of the city, we therefore choose to stay extra long and enjoy more time at the markets. We can then also have some dinner and board the bus again next to the Cathedral when the regular road has been reopened. This is much more convenient for everyone, gives us more time and saves us the hassle of time-consuming shuttle transportation. At Expat Club we love to think about these details!
