Cologne

[rockyracoon]

We're thinking of booking a weekend away to Cologne in Feb. Unfortunately, the Sunday is Valentine's Day, do the Germans go in for all the claptrap in restaurants as they do here?

Also, is everything open on a Sunday?

Cheers.

[Samuraisan]

I would imagine so.

[jno]

shops frequently shut in Germany on Sunday. Unfortunately this needs updating

http://www.cologne.de/shopping

[Mosaic]

The touristy part of Cologne is really quite compact, and a lot of the visitors come via the river cruises. So there are a few quaint streets round the cathedral, then eateries with beer gardens going down to the riverside. Rather than valentine's, I'd try and check out what effect Lent has on general revelry. I'm guessing little effect, and it will be business as usual, but this is a guess. If you were to hit town around 10the Feb, the pre-Lent Carnival will be in full swing and you'll be guaranteed lots of fun and frolics.

Re. the Sunday opening hours, if I were you I'd contact the Tourist Info at Cologne direct, email address at the foot of this page
http://www.cologne-tourism.com/city-experience/shopping.html

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Mosaic. We just miss the carnival (probably why it's cheap to go). Are Germans particularly religious?

[jno]

if you're at carnival on women's day, women get to go round cutting off men's ties with their scissors.

I can't think what this is meant to represent.

[shaneystar2]

Altweiberfastnacht .They women cut the tie off the men because it's seen as a symbol of power.They get a kiss afterwards though:)
I did this very silly thing in my youth when I lived in Germany at carnival time. In the olden days the carnival was run by men only so the women who were,I think ,laundresses, stormed the town halls in parts of Germany and demanded a say in things and that's where it all started.

[Mosaic]

Rocky - re. religiosity - it all depends where you are. The thing about Cologne is the Roman Catholic Cathedral is the centre of its World heritage status, and as well as secular visitors people still visit such places in Germany for religious pilgrimage reasons. So for example you or I may opt to visit the cathedral treasury to gawp at the bling, whereas others will be having profound spiritual experiences about reliquaries and monstrances. That's why I would check directly with the tourist department there about Sunday openings in general, but especially for when you intend to go which is effectively the first week in lent.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Mosaic. I'll send them an email.

Thanks all for your answers :)