Cruises to Cologne

The Old Town's strip of lively bars and restaurants along the Rhinegarten embankment makes for a perfect place to enjoy a drink or meal. Follow the steps and footpath that lead from the north end of the strip, just before the Hohenzollern railway bridge crosses the river, to the cathedral and Cologne's pedestrianized shopping street, Hohe Strasse.

The tradition of Love Locks is said to have originated on the Ponte Milivio in Italy. Sweethearts stroll across a bridge together, afix a lock inscribed with their names to the structure and then toss the key into the river. Indeed, the Hohenzollern Bridge is so covered with padlocks that the bridge's operator threatened to saw them off until public outcry forced a change of heart. Local lads will often tug on the padlocks as they cross the bridge, so if you and your sweetheart do fix a Love Lock to Hohenzollern, make sure it's well attached, or your heart will be broken!

On Foot: Virtually all of Cologne's tourist attractions are within an easy 15-minute walk of the river cruise moorings.

By Tram: Cologne has an efficient, safe underground tram and bus network. Short journeys (up to four stops) only require a "Kurzstrecke" (short trip ticket), but if you're planning to explore farther afield, one- and three-day passes are available for use across the system.

By Bike: If your cruise ship doesn't have bicycles you can use, you can hire one for the day very easily from the "Radstation" (bike station) in the city's main railway station from 5 euros for three hours.

By Taxi: Taxis are fairly easy to find near the Cathedral square. They run on meters.

Transport from / to the airport: Dusseldorf Airport is the best international hub for Cologne, located a 40-minute train ride from Cologne central station. Direct train services run frequently between the airport and central station and cost approximately 30 euros. Visit www.bahn.com for train times and costs and to pre-book your tickets.

Germany's currency is the euro. Visit XE.com for current rates. ATMs and banks are plentiful, particularly around the cathedral, which is within walking distance of most river cruise mooring points, and credit cards are widely accepted in restaurants, bars and shops.

German is the local language, but English and French are widely understood and spoken in this multicultural city. A few handy phrases in German will always enamor you to the locals though, so try these:

The precise mooring point given to river cruise ships arriving in Cologne is determined by the local port authorities upon arrival, but the locations basically stretch about a mile along the embankment between the Chocolate Factory and the city's central railway station. This location ensures the cathedral will be about 5 to 10 minutes' walk from your ship's berth and places you in the heart of the Old Town, perfect for popping out for a pre-dinner drink or post-prandial stroll.