24 HOURS IN COLOGNE, GERMANY

The first stop on my whirlwind trip around Germany was to Cologne. It's a city that I've wanted to visit for years and when my friend Alex of ‪@alex-wittman‬ mentioned that she'd be in the area, I knew I had to meet up with her and explore this cool German city!
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All Songs from Epidemic Sound
Song One: This Poor Love Song by Sture Zetterberg
Song Two: Songs for a Mockingbird by Gabriel Kelley
Song Three: The Middle by Kylie Dailey

[@alex-wittman]

Hands down one of the most impressive cathedrals I've ever seen. That tower climb tho!

[@afbeardsley3137]

omg. totally agree. wow. more impressive than the Duomo in Milan. just wow.

[@laura-bronner]

Such an incredible cathedral!

[@arnodobler1096]

the highest church in the world is the Ulm Cathedral in Baden Württemberg South Germany

[@arnodobler1096]

@@zitronenfernseher7974 But not as ugly as Cologne

[@hmgrraarrpffrzz9763]

In general Cologne is not a bad place to live in. There are many job opportunities, museums, cultural events, people are in general quite open minded and it's easy to make new friends, there are some nice parks and botanical gardens, you have outside the city some pretty areas with the Eifel mountains for example, and you got high speed train connections to Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and so on. On the flipside, after WW2 the city was hastily reconstructed, so there is no shortage of ugly buildings. The rents and property costs have been on an insane rise for many years, so unless you are rich, you have to live outside the city, in a very poor area, or in a tiny apartment. Also, the city is somewhat backwards regarding some infrastructural concepts such as bicycle lanes. After a while you also get used to unexploded WW2 bombs being found every couple of weeks, requiring the evacuation of this or that building until the experts defused the bomb or transported it away.

[@thetravelstamps]

Thank you for this episode, Laura! It brings a lot of good memories of the several times I was in Köln. The interiors of the Rathaus tell much of the history of the town, if those walls could talk. Having a munch by the river while enjoying the breeze and people-watching is a fave thing to do. And I can relate to exploring the city early in the morning and see it slowly stir to life - experience on my 1st visit to Köln. Looking forward to your future contents.

[@laura-bronner]

So glad you enjoyed the video! I would have loved to go into the Rathaus, maybe it will be open on my next visit to cologne!

[@MasterMister79]

I used to live in Cologne for 24 years, actually I was born and raised in Cologne. How much I miss this City, thanks for the Video, it brings back some good old memories!

[@laura-bronner]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I'm glad I could share a slice of your home with you while you're not there!

[@strife2746]

Why would you miss the city where NYE 2015 took place?

[@alex-wittman]

Yes, I'm ready to relive Cologne! Such a cool city!

[@TheBrooklinHeights]

Home is where the Dom is ❤️❤️❤️

[@smjrn63]

You missed out on visiting Fruh the food and beer are amazing.

[@visulino]

I visited that new city several times. Most buildings were built after the war, the cathedral was respected and was not bombed, but even the bridge is new. Check aerial photos after the war. Nothing left.

[@Lucky13888]

American living in Köln here👋 Great video...I love visiting the Dome.

[@laura-bronner]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the video! What a beautiful city to live in :)

[@UtamagUta]

your takeout coffe mug reminded me one in Latvia i got. It was edible! Basically a firmer waffer, it was delicious!

[@leahmarlow6553]

Awesome vid, Laura! I loved when you said 'enough babbling, let's go and see Cologne', lmao!

[@lauraarteaga1451]

Wonderful city! Enjoy.

[@domeswall]

Guten Abend! First clip from my home country, nice!

[@williamb.8059]

Good yesterday?

[@sarasdvidesimt]

Considering that sallaries in Cologne are 2x higher than in Vilnius, 1 euro increase in coffee price is very small.

[@laura-bronner]

Wow double? That puts prices into perspective for sure. I imagined the wages must be higher, but that's quite a bit higher.

[@DrIstoris]

@@laura-bronner renting prices are a lot higher too

[@thebigmarvinski]

I needed this, i realsied on booking i only really have 24hrs to do a city explore. But you cramed in a lot of the stuff I wanted to do

[@lavluvlov]

Dont forget 2 hours at the "Claudius Thermes", salt water pools and saunas..

[@heikeherbert3683]

Hi there Laura. Checked in with you after my return from Greece... and would you believe it, you've visited my home town of Cologne!I'm amazed you managed to visit so many places in just a few hours. If you ever come back to the Altstadt, sometime in 2022 the building site in front of the Town Hall will reveal a new Archaeological Zone and you'll be able to see, for example, the underground Roman Praetorium and water cistern. It's super interesting! By the way I had to laugh when I saw the sign by the entrance of the Cathedral's bell tower" No lift! No joke!" 😁Kudos to you for climbing all the way to the top! Tomorrow, I'm going to treat myself to your next video from my favourite city in Germany ..Hamburg! Hope you had a great stay!

[@laura-bronner]

Wow that archaeological zone sounds amazing, I'll definitely have to get back to Cologne, I really loved it a lot! The sign in the cathedral bell tower made me laugh too! Hope you enjoy the Hamburg video!

[@jag5798]

The cities are much more beautiful after they get a blanket of snow ❄️ and begin to celebrate Christmas 🎄 Rothenburg, Germany breathes Christmas.

[@fidenemini111]

And Marburg! Oh this city is a jewel!

[@ContinentalKrish]

and now I know which places to visit in Cologne! Thanks for this informative video.

[@dalamoretx]

Hey Laura! I haven't watched your videos in over a month!! I caught COVID!! I'm fully vaxed (pfizer), but caught it anyway! Just catching up this morning (Sunday 10/17). So thrilling! I have been to a lot of places in the world, and have said that if I went to the airport today and could go anywhere I wanted, that I would go to Germany! This is amazing! Thank you!

[@吴雅雯-q2u]

How are you now?

[@gabogc]

Hey Laura! thanks for the video, watching it , while deciding if to go to live to Cologne or Dusseldorf! im also an eternal expat ;)! cheers and keep them coming! im also doing some travel videos but i still dont publish them hehe. you could add some, slow motion, or time warps or close up, just to give it a little bit more spices i guess! or speed ramping :D, is just more modern style, cheers!!

[@andreasgernandt2946]

Thanks for the Video Love this City Greetings from Melbourne

[@mreppen1]

Looks like a wonderful city.

[@MasterMode2074]

Did you forget what happened during NYE? Don't be foolish.

[@knaecke1666]

@@MasterMode2074 Yes, done by agressive immigrants which have NOTHING to do with cologne mentality. Nothing! Reading such lines makes me just angry. I´m living near cologne, it takes me just 30 minutes to downtown area. And don´t get me wrong, I have many friends and acquaintance with turkish roots, their parents coming to Germany in the 60´s 70´s. And they also dislike what happens to our country since "wonderful" Merkel has opend every door for everyone in the world. you know why? Because it is just awful.

[@gazof-the-north1980]

Visited Cologne in 1993 as a 13 year old. Went up the very impressive Cathedral

[@vladask410]

I think i saw you today at football game in vilnius :)

[@laura-bronner]

Haha yea! We were there!

[@fidenemini111]

Been two times to Germany when my son worked there for several years. Such a beautiful country! Now for last four years my direction of visits turned towards Switzerland🙂. Have a nice time in Germany!

[@laura-bronner]

Switzerland is magical. I studied abroad there and spent all the time I perhaps should have been spending studying hopping on the train and exploring different corners of the country (students travel for half price!).

[@Byron4RollTide]

Glad you got to meet up with Alex. I’m sure you brushed up on your Spanish. This winter you should consider going to Spain. I love the “Costa del Sol” area of Spain. Playa de los Álamos and Playamar. 👍

[@laura-bronner]

I’ve got a few other plans lined up for the rest of the year but all going well I’ll be in Spain for a conference and plenty of travels in March next year!

[@angelinagalvez9031]

Beautiful, I really enjoyed it 😊

[@laura-bronner]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@danknox9986]

But do they have Tacos? Just wanted to let you know we are planning to sail to Mexico from San Francisco and we got your book! We are definitely going to find that lobster taco place. 🌮🌮🌮 Always enjoy your videos. I’m a fan. Thank you.

[@domeswall]

Germany is not great on Mexican food :(

[@laura-bronner]

oh man those lobsters tacos are something special!! Enjoy Baja and eat all the tacos for me!!

[@squig808]

@@domeswall true, but in Cologne we have Tacos Los Carnales. If you can find that, you can also find a neat bar/lounge. imo most of the coolest things in Cologne are hidden from tourists and casual visitors in a rush 😉

[@Lucky13888]

Sorry Dan, no matter what your told Köln does not hv any decent Mexican restaurants...trust me, I've tried finding a decent place high & low. Mexican food will be my first stop when I return to the States for Xmas😊

[@吴雅雯-q2u]

Do you find it convenient to travel now?

[@bextiyarasurov8981]

I highly recommend u to visit Munich. It is one of the great one in Germany. Better luck

[@laura-bronner]

I’ve been to Munich twice before, it’s such a beautiful city!

[@ltdodgen]

Enjoyed being back in Germany…through you:) Thank you for all the great info along the way. It’s remarkable that many things cost just a bit less than your flight! A question: Do you use google maps to navigate the city…or do you just have good homing instincts?

[@laura-bronner]

haha I wish I had some natural homing instincts. Alas, I use Google Maps as well as an app called Maps.Me that works offline if you are in a dead zone or don't have data where you are.

[@gruelichkulsheim9445]

Love the life you guys a living

[@alex-wittman]

I think if I went back to Cologne I would definitely want to stay in the Belgian Quarter!

[@laura-bronner]

I would too, it's so pretty there!

[@alvydas3]

Buenas noches. Colonia la ciudad una de las más bombardas en la segunda guerra mundial. Como el catedral está en pie es un milagro. La ciudad con tanta historia casi no tiene el casco viejo. Sólo conservados algunos edificios.

[@afbeardsley3137]

fun video. your zest for life is lovely.

[@laura-bronner]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@guillermorocha4099]

Hope to see you guys soon back en los cabos muchas bendiciones y cuidense mucho

[@laura-bronner]

Hoping to get back for a visit next year!

[@t.kausch419]

Lovely, my hometown. Very special cologne, very different to other cities in germany. Brezel are not from (NRW) cologne area. Very good... you are working at every country you living for longer time? Or you just have the money to travel arround the world?

[@laura-bronner]

It's a beautiful city! I work remotely, so I can take my job with me :)

[@alexwallace6120]

It looks like a pleasant visit. I wish you had more time Have fun in Hamburg! Will you be going to Poland soon?

[@laura-bronner]

I wish I did too, such a beautiful city!

[@mimi7914]

how old is your hotel ? I think i saw orbs at around 1:16

[@maximilianc9897]

€3.20 for a flat white is actually way cheaper than an improperly prepared coffee in the US. It costs about $5…then one has to tip as well. Try figure…

[@voyance4elle]

It's so funny to me because a Pretzel is not a Cologne thing at all. They probably started to sell them because of all the tourists. It's orginially from the South of Germany, bavaria.

[@waynewalleye8458]

IS IT ALWAYS CLOUDY?

[@allencrider]

Well, did you buy any eau de cologne?

[@laura-bronner]

I did not, I’m not much of a perfume wearer but it was fun to check out the history here!

[@吴雅雯-q2u]

Do you like this perfume very much?

[@MoonlightMaggie]

Do you speak German? I have been learning German for 3 years now and I really want to visit but I’m a bit worried I won’t be able to communicate 😅

[@mateuszkunda9400]

Actually that's not a problem, it's never difficult to communicate in English in Germany :) I'm also learning German and try as much as I can to communicate in German when in Germany but whenever I can't understand I simply ask if they could switch to English and the people are always nice and cool about it. So worth trying to speak German but whenever there's an obstacle - you'll easily communicate in English :)

[@MrFranciss]

The cathedral is great and makes the city worth visiting. Apart from the cathedral, I find the city very ugly and without a soul. However, you could take a train to Aachen and then Maastricht and Monschau which are beautiful and not far

[@MXB-fx5ch]

I live in cologne and it depends on the area where you’re walking, there are many beautiful places

[@GTA.Sven.Andreas]

lovely video 👍

[@joseph40ninjas88]

Next week!

[@gowithzy]

United States + Germany+ Lithuania = In Love!!!!

[@吴雅雯-q2u]

What kind of love triangle is this?

[@nadinefunfstuck5851]

welcome to Germany

[@knaecke1666]

As a German who only needs 25 Minutes to Cologne downtown I have to say that also Cologne (Köln) is getting more and more worse. Karneval this year was a catastrophe. Only tourists, closed bars, because people can´t behave good any more.... (this has NEVER been like this before !!!). They sold tickets months before Karneval. Only few know the good old Songs originally from Cologne.... But also the nightlife is nearly GONE ! 15 years ago the "Ringe" have been full of people, going for party the whole night until the morning. But the younger ones are not interested in that any more. Some bars close at MIDNIGHT !!! (What is this ?). Corona has destroyed so many things. The town is dying. It was really a lovely town but these days it is as everywhere in this lost country. As a man, born in Germany I notice that more and more people are talking of leaving this country. I hear it from people I would never have believed that they ever would think like this. Germany is dying. The Greens are fighting against the economy of this country, also they fight against their own people. The only thing what is still there is our beer. Without that, you nearly can´t bear it here any more.

[@fordhipo1493]

Nice city, but as far as large cities are concerned, I much prefer Munich.

[@williamb.8059]

Are you Australian or Canuck?

[@deppo_zweifler9029]

If you decide to go, here's some advice. For God's sake, don't drink their local beer there ("Kölsch"). This is not beer, but a beer substitute. Germans make excellent beer - with the exception of Cologne

[@malithrohan7963]

😉😉❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😉😉

[@umeshkute8823]

I keeps the dream to come Cologne but I think that my misfortune is my dream would be only dream . I am Indian. and I have no higher qualification.

[@johnstarter777]

Nice! When you're getting married?

[@auricgoldfinger8478]

Is luc alive? We need proof of life

[@minityper]

Erm small old town, ugly new town, cathedral is nice but thats about it. Frankfurt is the same but more pleasant. Much better cities all over germany than these two.

[@snowcountry322]

South Korea? Seriously? I don’t recommend Korea to anyone.

[@aidask5188]

Stay in Germany don’t go back to depressing and poor Lithuania please.

[@teotik8071]

????

[@willloveyoumore]

Come on! Just swap the word depressing or swap the countries you mentioned, to let it fit