Cologne is the fourth biggest city in Germany, and has become one of the country's main tourist destinations, as well as a centre of media and business. The city boasts a wealth of breweries - more than any other European city, as well as spectacular buildings including Romanesque churches and a magnificent cathedral known as the 'Dom'. There are also some good museums to be found here, as well as the remains of its historic centre which are located by the Rhine riverside.

The most visited attraction in Cologne, and probably one of the most visited in the whole of Germany, is the Kolner Dom, Cologne's awe-inspiring cathedral. There are 509 steps up to the top of the south tower, which take around an hour to climb - so come prepared and wear comfortable shoes because the exertion is well worth it for the spectacular views you get from the top. While there is no fee for entering the cathedral itself, there is a small charge for climbing the tower. The 'Dom' is located close to Cologne's central railway station. The Dom is also home to the largest working bell - the 24 tonne 'Peter Bell-' in the world.

The Museum Ludwig is just around the corner from the 'Dom' and has a good collection of contemporary art. Visitors can view American pop art, with Roy Lichtenstein's 'Maybe', and Andy Warhol's 'Brillo Boxes', as well as numerous works by Picasso.

The Wallraf-Richarz Museum is a wonderful collection of 13^th to the 19^th century works of art, including those from artists at the Cologne School. Also featured are works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Murillo.

Gross St Martin is a medieval church which was just about destroyed in the Second World War, but has been rebuilt with some stunning artistic features including turrets and a central spire. In this area there are another 12 churches which have been reconstructed.

The Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum is a 19^th Century customs building containing memorabilia from the world of sport dating back to antiquity. There are also items on show connected to the 1936 and 1972 Munich Olympic Games, as well as modern day exhibits from the likes of Steffi Graf and Michael Schumacher.

El-De Haus is a former Gestapo prison and a sombre reminder of Cologne's Nazi past. Visitors can visit the cellar of the house which features more than 1800 chilling inscriptions from inmates who were tortured and murdered here. The Centre has received many international awards, but don't take the children to this moving memorial.

The Schokoladen Museum is a must see for anyone who loves chocolate. The attraction features exhibits on the origin of chocolate, and visitors can take a tour of the production factory, stopping at chocolate fountains on the way. There is also a shop selling chocolate and porcelain.

The Museum fur Angewandte Kunst features a number of rooms demonstrating design from the Middle Ages to today. Visitors can view a 15^th Century Venetian wedding goblet, full sized Meissen porcelain animals and a silver service by Henry van de Velde.

The Karneval is Cologne's biggest annual carnival, and is also known as the Winter Carnival or Fastelovend. The highlight is the Street festival which takes place on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, which traditionally is the day when women take charge of the city. On Shrove Monday and Shrove Tuesday the Streets of Cologne are packed with more than 1.5 million people, who come to watch the parade which features the 'mad triad', the prince, the farmer and the virgin. Carnival dates are end of January to February.

Cologne is known to be an extremely gay friendly city, and the annual Cologne Gay Pride is a popular event held at Heumakt Square every year. Candles are lit in remembrance of those who have died of AIDS/HIV, and there are musical performances, as well as a parade on the last day.

Neumarkt is the most prestigious shopping centre which is located at the Neumarkt Galerie mall. The Schildergasse is one of Germany's busiest pedestrianised shopping streets, with international high street names and Peek & Cloppenburg, Renzo Piano's flagship store is situated here. Kaufhof Galerie features many bargain outlets for those on a budget. The majority of Cologne's other shops are found between the Rudolfplatz and the Dom.

Visitors are highly recommended to buy a sample of the product which the city is famed for - Eau de Cologne, from the 4711-Haus at Glockengasse, or from the Farina-Haus, opposite the Town Hall, which is where Eau de Cologne originated.

Cologne's Philarmonic Concert Hall features extraordinary architecture as well as free rehearsal concerts at lunchtime, and opera fans should head for the Opera der Stadt Koln, the Cologne Opera company with a reputation for top quality contemporary and classical works. For theatre Cologne has the Theatre am Sachsenring, and the Studiobuhne Koln.

A highly pleasant way of spending an afternoon in Cologne is to take a cruise along the Rhine, or an evening cruise which can include an evening meal. To get to know the city quickly it's also possible to take a sightseeing tour by a bus which stops at all the main attractions.

Cologne is located to the northwest of Germany and has a climate not unlike that of the UK or Northern France, which means seasonal weather which can be quite unpredictable. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can reach 30 ^o C and above, and the coolest time of year is winter, with temperatures in January frequently dropping below zero. On average, June is the wettest time to go - but visitors should come prepared with an umbrella since rain can arrive at any time of the year.

Cologne Bonn Airport is Cologne's nearest airport, which is located around nine miles southeast of Cologne. Trains run from the airport into Cologne Hauptbahnhof - Central Station - with a journey time of around 15 minutes. Airport shuttles are also available into Cologne city centre, which takes around 20 minutes or visitors can take a taxi from the concourse.

Cologne's main attractions are quite close together so the city is easy to navigate on foot. The public transport system is excellent however with an integrated rapid transit system of subway (U Bahn) and buses. Tickets must be bought in advance otherwise you run the risk of being fined heavily if you are caught by an inspector. The Koln Welcome Card gives unlimited travel on all Cologne's public transport systems, as well as reduced admissions to certain attractions.

Cologne also has a 'Call a Bike' system where you can pick up and drop off bikes across the city, by first entering credit card details.

St Ursula is a church which is located at the top of a Roman cemetery where the remains of virgins are alleged to have been found. An opulent Golden Chamber was erected to house the relics.

The Domschatzkammer is an attraction which Cologne is rightly proud of. Visitors to this Cathedral Treasury have the opportunity to view robes, sculptures, reliquaries and other religious objects housed within vaulted rooms dating back to the 13^th century - located on the right hand side of the Dom.

The Kolnisches Stadtmuseum stands where the former medieval armoury was situated, and offers visitors a look at all things to do with the city. Visitors can find out about the local beer (Kolsch) , eau de Cologne, as well as displays featuring the annual Karnaval, as well as many other facets of life in the city.

For a relaxing afternoon the Grungurtel Park, which encircles the city is a good option. When the weather permits visitors can bring a picnic, or barbecue here, or enjoy a drink in the beer garden. The Eifelplatz for Volksgarten is the closest metro stop.

Die Kolner Synagogue is worth a visit since this impressive structure features a unique architecture which could have come straight out of Gotham City. The synagogue is home to The Torah, which a Catholic priest saved from another synagogue which was about to be burnt by the Nazis. The religious edifice was visited by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 - only the second visit ever made by a pope to a synagogue.

A highly recommended way to while away an afternoon is to take a stroll around the Agnesviertel, Cologne's bohemian quarter and browse the many independent bookshops and art galleries situated here. Historical monuments to take in include the City Gate, and Fort X, and there is the opportunity to bag a bargain from the local flea markets.

There are quite a few banks located in the Burgmauer area of the city and at the central railway station. Travel agencies and ATMs are located all across Cologne and they will accept all the major credit cards including American Express, Mastercard and Visa, although there may be a charge for withdrawing money.

The currency in Cologne is the Euro, as it now is across the majority of Europe, but it's only necessary to carry as much cash as you need on a daily basis since most attractions and restaurants accept credit and debit cards.

Service charges are almost always included in the bill at restaurants, but it's common to leave an extra 10% if you are especially pleased with the meal. In bars, taxis and for tour guides a tip of a few Euros should suffice

Cologne, or Köln, is solid proof that there is life in vast Germany outside the seductive confines of Berlin and Munich. The city of 1 million is a lively place, with far more to see and experience beyond the famous Cologne Cathedral.

With a foundation that dates back to 38 BC and the Roman Empire, Cologne is a vital lynchpin in Europe. A fortuitous location on the river Rhine made the city a nexus of commerce and trade in the Middle Ages. While history is everywhere in the city, a progressive populace ensures that Cologne has one foot firmly planted in modernity.