Back in May, we embarked on an exciting day trip to Cologne, using the reliable Skyscanner to secure affordable flights. The total cost for our journey amounted to a mere £51.41. To reach Stansted Airport, we opted for the convenient National Express transportation service, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
Our adventure began with a 7:25 am departure from Stansted, swiftly arriving in Cologne. With our flight back scheduled for 9 pm, we enjoyed short and pleasant flights, ideal for a day trip abroad.
Upon landing, we effortlessly boarded a train from the airport directly to the city center. Navigating the ticket machines was a breeze, especially after switching the language to English. I highly recommend utilizing Apple or Google maps to assist you in getting around smoothly.
As we reached the city center, our first stop was the tourist information center, where we gratefully received the KölnCard courtesy of Visit Cologne. This fantastic card granted us free access to public transportation within Cologne, along with impressive discounts of up to 50% at various museums, restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions.
Right outside the tourist information center, we noticed a cute land train and promptly purchased tickets. They accept card payments only. Our journey aboard the land train led us to the renowned Cologne Chocolate Museum, where we had an absolute blast indulging in its wonders.
Cologne Chocolate Museum
I was absolutely thrilled by the awe-inspiring Chocolate Museum in Cologne. I mean, who can resist the allure of chocolate, right? Not only did we have the opportunity to sample some delightful chocolate freebies, but we also had a chance to witness and expand our knowledge about the fascinating world of chocolate.
One of the highlights was the chance to personalize our very own chocolate creations, which was an incredibly cool experience. The museum offers this unique opportunity, allowing visitors to unleash their creativity and craft their own personalized chocolate delights.
What’s even better is that by utilizing your KölnCard, you can enjoy discounted tickets to this marvelous attraction. The KölnCard continues to impress, providing visitors with a range of benefits and exclusive offers throughout their exploration of Cologne.
Bero’s Kinderwelt Köln
Our initial plan was to visit Time Ride right after the delightful Chocolate Museum, but unfortunately, we missed our designated time slot due to an ongoing protest. However, we quickly improvised and decided to take the kids to Bero’s Kinderwelt, an indoor playground that turned out to be an absolute paradise for them! We ended up spending several hours there, and the kids had the time of their lives. What made it even better was the short train ride from the airport, making it a perfect way to conclude our day.
Although we couldn’t explore as much as we had hoped, the children’s excitement for the soft play experience was undeniable. It was slightly disappointing to miss out on other attractions, but it only means one thing: we are absolutely determined to return to Cologne in the near future. Perhaps next time, we’ll plan a longer stay, as we’ve heard marvelous things about their Christmas markets, which are said to be truly extraordinary.
