Monday, May 11
SAT 2/5/2026 Day 4 PASS 2 hoogeveen to cologne
Rail Miles: 185 ; Walk Miles: 5.07;
An early start from Hoogeveen and onto Germany and destination Cologne (Koeln), with a brief smoke stopover outside Utrecht station (the famous treaty town recalled from long ago history lessons)
Exiting Cologne station is an experience.
The hugely impressive cathedral (and it truly is huge) is adjacent to the station, so a double whammy of crowds. And an awful lot of homeless people despite a heavy police presence.
Very much the focal point of the town.
Koeln Cathedral
And being a German bank holiday the streets were rammed with shoppers, promenaders in their finery (yes really) and the young just enjoying life.
Certainly the biggest shopping centre I've ever experienced. And at 7.30pm the streets were still teeming. Every brand name I could think of was on the high street(s) Including C&A and even Moleskin (the waterproof notepad brand)
Forget the famous Cologne Xmas fair, if shopping is your interest, come at any time.
Even the intermittent rain and thunder didn't deter these crowds.
But first a couple of cigar shops to visit. The germans really seem to love their cigars. First time I've been in a shop where there is a in-shop dedicated cigar smoking area, equipped with coffee and a large humidor.
Happily these were to the north of the town centre so I had the opportunity to explore more of Cologne away from the primary shopping area.
And then onto my Hotel Brandenburger Hof, handily 5 minutes north of the station.
Decent single room with a shared shower/toilet.
But sadly lacking any coffee making facilities.
Or breakfast (lack of staff apparently)
(Again, no link, not recommended except as a bed for the night and a handy location for the station)
Rail Miles: 185 ; Walk Miles: 5.07;
An early start from Hoogeveen and onto Germany and destination Cologne (Koeln), with a brief smoke stopover outside Utrecht station (the famous treaty town recalled from long ago history lessons)
Exiting Cologne station is an experience.
The hugely impressive cathedral (and it truly is huge) is adjacent to the station, so a double whammy of crowds. And an awful lot of homeless people despite a heavy police presence.
Very much the focal point of the town.
Koeln Cathedral
And being a German bank holiday the streets were rammed with shoppers, promenaders in their finery (yes really) and the young just enjoying life.
Certainly the biggest shopping centre I've ever experienced. And at 7.30pm the streets were still teeming. Every brand name I could think of was on the high street(s) Including C&A and even Moleskin (the waterproof notepad brand)
Forget the famous Cologne Xmas fair, if shopping is your interest, come at any time.
Even the intermittent rain and thunder didn't deter these crowds.
But first a couple of cigar shops to visit. The germans really seem to love their cigars. First time I've been in a shop where there is a in-shop dedicated cigar smoking area, equipped with coffee and a large humidor.
Happily these were to the north of the town centre so I had the opportunity to explore more of Cologne away from the primary shopping area.
And then onto my Hotel Brandenburger Hof, handily 5 minutes north of the station.
Decent single room with a shared shower/toilet.
But sadly lacking any coffee making facilities.
Or breakfast (lack of staff apparently)
(Again, no link, not recommended except as a bed for the night and a handy location for the station)
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