Previous ... Next
In our geographical list includes the city of Luxembourg and the country of the same name, which we planned to visit. However, already in place, it was decided to abandon this idea because of too long haul. From Cologne we had to get to the city of Trier, located on the border with Luxembourg (only 10 kilometers). The way to Trier by regional train would take about two hours, then at the station of this ancient town was to take the local Express and go for about an hour. As a result, the total travel time would be about 8 hours. Accordingly, at the time of inspection of Luxembourg was left - placing it with an overnight stay in our plans are not included. After weighing all the pros and cons, we decided that we can restrict and something closer - all the same like to look at the city in the vicinity of Cologne and Dusseldorf. Decided, let's go to Koblenz, is in a different state of Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as in Aachen - it is very close.
In the morning at the train station, we bought a weekend ticket, which is valid for all local trains in Germany. Theoretically, for 40 € (ticket price) Five people can "easily" get to Berlin and, having spent a lot of time, of course, Make 5-7 transplants. About features of the proposal from Deutsche Bahn I described in my first report about a trip to Dresden.
And then we happened to natural occasion! The fact that DB trains go on schedule, they rarely linger, or vice versa, ahead of schedule. On the Internet the way we looked at the central station, which comes to us right RER, departure and a quarter hours before arrived at the platform. Approximately 5 minutes before the deadline arrived on the composition and the way I thought it was the right train! We did not bother small number of passengers in the car, and we took our seats. Only then, when the train pulled out, I felt something was wrong and asked Ira to learn from people traveling this train to Koblenz. Naturally, we got a negative answer and hurried off to the nearest part of the platform. When we returned back to the central railway station in Cologne, you want us to express already left. Had with the ticket machine to find another train to Rhineland-Palatinate, it was train RB 26 - goes on for half an hour longer, and often stops at the stations, but there was nothing. More of these situations related to the calendar, with us not happen!
With a little delay getting to the city of Koblenz, as I mentioned, it is in the other federal land - if you look at the map of Germany, you can find her 16 such administrative entities. Most known for his German Koblenz corner - a place where the river Moselle flows into the Rhine. We decided to get there on foot, along the way considering other attractions. Like last year, we were faced with closed shops - Sunday all Germans prefer to rest. However, souvenir stalls are always open, so purchase some magnets on the fridge or a couple of postcards tourists can daily.
During our walk, we saw a building that looked like a palace. Look there was no plan, but a little walk around the area we decided. Moreover, that is a children's play area - the surface is covered with a special rubber material to young visitors during the Games were safe. We are very happy to ride on the swings - oh, where it goes childhood, in what city? Maybe the German Koblenz?
Continuing the walking tour, get to the waterfront, with a wonderful view to the other side and placed it on lock. You can get there by cable car, we are hurrying to see the famous monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I. It was established in 1897, but did not survive - during the Second World War, in 1945, the statue was partially destroyed by an American missile hit. Monument was reopened only in 1992. Now it is always crowded, tourists from different countries come to enjoy this attraction.
Since we were limited in time, we decide to go back to the train station - now featured on our list is one more point - the city of Aachen. Even without a map, we can easily achieve the goal - within sight of each other in Koblenz installed Panels designed to major points of the city - the train station, the German corner waterfront. Going into the car of the train and take a seat, we start to discuss the future plans for the day. However, on the way back is an unexpected situation gives us the inconvenience. At one station train driver on the loudspeaker announced that the composition is returned to Koblenz and all passengers must leave it. Reluctantly come out of cars and two-story luxury Changes Trains - less convenient floor, without air conditioning, and the people of this move to express our. Naturally, all citizens were unhappy and clearly expressed unkind words to the Deutsche Bahn, but spoke German and I did what I could make out a few words.
In such a pun get to Cologne and, without going to the hotel, just go to Aachen. It is good that the station had a lot of cafes and in the way we could eat a couple of sandwiches and French fries: in ten days holiday in Europe, we ate, perhaps, the annual rate of two fast food!
In Aachen come in an hour and decide to rent bicycles, because the forces are to walk a little. At the station was just a rental, so for 6 € for two people we rented for 3 hours two bicycles. But our joy was short-lived - a very hilly terrain Aachen did not allow to easily navigate to the vehicle, often had to carry up the hill iron horse by the bridle. This session we quickly tired of it and we are returning the crew to place, again, in the foot. Unfortunately, the reason we were not able to get to the nearby town of Valls (Vaals), who was already in the Netherlands and was only a couple of kilometers from the center of Aachen. Well, that would be a reason to come back here again!
We spent some time on a modest tour - to the city center and visited the building of the local council - he is the second largest in North Rhine-Westphalia after the famous Cologne. At this point, we are rather tired of the constant trips and decided that on Sunday adventurous enough. We sat down on a regional express train to Cologne and for the first day we meet the controllers - I was beginning to worry that the whole day no one checked our tickets and we could not buy them! This is of course, a joke! For ticketless travel in Germany has large fines, and the people there understand that all services must be paid for.
In the evening back to the hotel, you need a good rest after a busy day. Tomorrow we go to the zoo in Cologne - a little less famous than Berlin, but just as big and popular with both tourists and locals.
Previous ... Next
