The summer of 2022 in Germany was an awesome time to travel because the government provided the 9 euro ticket. For just 9 euro a month, anyone in Germany could travel anywhere in the country on local and regional public transport. This meant both Germans and tourists could explore all corners of the country for a minimal cost and people could explore each city they visited more thoroughly as the local train and bus system was included too. This ticket also provided a massive simplification of the usual more complex ticketing protocol.
Unfortunately, as it was summer and there were more people on the move, the trains during peak times were often packed. This led to delays. When one thinks about the German trains, one imagines that they are always meticulously on schedule. This was not the case this summer. Nevertheless, it was a real privilege to get to see some of lovely Germany using this cheap ticket.
Cologne CathedralCologne CathedralCologne Cathedral – interiorCologne Cathedral – interiorThe Shrine of the Three Kings Relic – in this chest supposedly lies the remains of the Three Wise Men – a lot of people come to see this. There are about 20,000 people that visit Cologne Cathedral everyday. Amongst the ornate gothic beauty of all the things in the Cologne Cathedral, I was startled to come across this paintwork on an interior ceiling in the north transept. It is decidedly less skillful. This work was done in 1964. Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln (Botanical Garden Cologne)Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln (Botanical Garden Cologne)CologneEquestrian statue of Friedrich Wilhelm III. – looks like there are a number of bullet holes probably from the war? Fort X, Cologne – an old Prussian brick fortressCologneRhine RiverCologne – the building we stayed inThe view from the building we stayed in – CologneRiebekuchen, German fried potato pancakes from a hole in the wall place in Cologne. These were delicious. Served traditionally with apple sauce. Also with chilli, herb or garlic sauce. It’s hard to go wrong with fried potato!
From a base in Cologne, we used the 9 euro ticket to do day trips to Bonn and Dusseldorf.
BonnBeethoven Statue, Bonn. Beethoven was born in Bonn. Beethoven’s Birthplace, Bonn
Dusseldorf was such a different vibe. It was so much more affluent and modern!
DusseldorfKunstsammlung – DusseldorfThis kid is so annoying, the mother has taken to waterboarding!DusseldorfDusseldorfDusseldorf
