Merry Christmas Cologne, and what a city to spend christmas in. First initital thoughts is its just stunning. Picture perfect. Very into the christmas spirit. Wow.

We settled into our accomodation at the hilton, and got to know the surrounding area quite well and very quickly. We were staying just a 1 min walk from main attraction in Cologne, a 157.31 meter tall (yes Tom is that precise) cathedral, known as The Dom. The Dom is not just the main attraction but its the main everything, everywhere you turn there is something relating to it, whether it be jewellery, t-shirts, the name of pubs or just your general souvenirs, it's everywhere. It's easy to see why though, the building itself is.. well i say stunning.. Tom says, dirty, gothic, obscure, and he cant believe it took them 600 years to build. After a good long hike up 509 steps the view from the top is beautiful.

Other than The Dom, we enjoyed yet more xmas markets, these ones have over taken the top position as the best markets. We would stroll around eating our crepes and rock candy and looking at all the beautiful hand made items, and stop along the way for a beer or two. Its also at the markets that there was the biggest ice skating rink we had seen yet, better have a go.

Public holidays over here are xmas eve and xmas day, so there wasn't a great deal that we could see or do for those two days, but after so much walking the last couple of weeks, we enjoyed having a rest in our room. We bunked up and watched movies, read books and skyped family on xmas day, and enjoyed a beautiful private xmas dinner at the hilton, our energy bars are once again refilled.

Our last day here we decided to go to the chocolate museum/Lindt chocolate factory. Those that know me well, know my love of lindt chocolate bunnies with the bell and those little red lindt balls, nothing was more awesome then going to see where and how they were made, and having a few samples along the way.

We had been watching the weather in hope for a white xmas, and while it didn't snow on the day, it snowed over night on our last night here. We woke to white roof tops, and cold, wet, snowy weather. Unfortunantly we had to be at the train by 8am and the closest we got to enjoying it, was watching it fly past from the train window.

This was our first xmas overseas and we did miss family and the food (so we will be having an xmas dinner when we get back. I want ham, pavlova and all things xmas ha ha) but it was worth it. Thankyou for a wonderful christmas Cologne.