Anthony Bordain Does 'Ugly' Cologne
 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/04/travel...any/index.html

Anthony Bourdain's travel/food show last night showcased Cologne, mainly from a positive aspect. But many locals brought up the 'ugly' term when talking about their town and say many Germans concur. Yet Bourdain managed to show an exciting side of Cologne - from an ethnic potpourri of food treats to its more pleasant aspects. He finished the show in Dusseldorf for a quick look.

I have a friend that lives in Cologne and he really doesn't think much of it. I think it's a lovely city with some great history to see and delicious beer to drink.

I have been writing here for years that Cologne is a beautiful city (and Düsseldorf too).

I have taken really hundreds of international visitors (among them US citizens, Australians, Japanese, Brazilians, Mexicans, Africans) on daytrips to Cologne and they were always fascinated by this city.

The Dom is one of the best gothic cathedrals on the European continent and besides there are 12 fine romanesque churches which are even older.

There are several pieces of Roman archeology, including the governor's palace in the celler of the medieval City Hall. Quite unique that you have two layers of historic architecture built one upon the other!

You can even walk a 200-meter section of a 2,000-year-old sewer.

Cologne has world-class art museums about medieval art and contemporary art.

The riverfront is beautiful - it is an urban garden along the Rhine.

There are the local microbreweries, serving local specialties (Currywurst, what Bourdain has tasted, it NOT among them but "Cologne caviar": blood sausage).

And much more.

It is such a pity that American guidebooks are so much focused on Bavaria that they systematically neglect the rest of Germany which has so much to offer.

Like traveler1959 I also have taken over 1,000 people -mainly college students - to Cologne where we camped in the Camping Municipal on the east side of the Rhine and most liked the city and coming from America did not think it really ugly.

I always enjoyed the large Turkish district when there - kind of like being in Istanbul.

The 'ugly'comments, which Bordain did not agree with, came from many locals themselves and of course everyone in Dusseldorf, Cologne's smaller arch-rival.

The Rhine Ufer is cool - broad walkway along the Rhine and the Zoo area along the Rhine too.

Yes it does have just a vest-pocket Altstadt left from WW2 bombings but Cologne is modern and a nice modern city IME.

So there is more to Cologne than the huge cathedral, unfortunately lying in the shadows of the cathedral - today they would never have marred such a landmark with a huge loud busy station right next door but it does make a quick stop at Cologne by train easy for those who have only heard of the cathedral.

<It is such a pity that American guidebooks are so much focused on Bavaria that they systematically neglect the rest of Germany which has so much to offer.>

Well even some locals on the show lamented that 'we do not have more of a Munich appearance"

When all is said and done I would be aloof to recommend Cologne over Munich or Berlin, etc for fear the person going there only saw the worst.

BTW, the Michelin Green Guide gives "Köln" the max of 3 stars; but, they spell it correctly and probably confuse English speakers out of going there.

It was also said that Cologne has Europe's largest brothel!In part because of so many conventions held there they said.

I made a point of getting there a couple of years ago and yes the cathedral is really impressive and the train etc. were convenient. Also enjoyed walking across the bridges along the river.

That said the modern and pretty unsightly architecture made me long for Munich or even Berlin.

pretty unsightly architecture>

weird - how can unsightly architecture be 'pretty'!!!

ambiguous as writ - just joking.

I must have missed the brothel when I spend my military duty 20 kms from Koeln.

That is a lovely city and people who dislike it either have not been there or didn't take the time to visit it. I still go about twice a year and it is always pleasurable.

Instead of currywurst, I rec a small fast food asian in the hauptbahnof. Somewhere on the left when you come from the Dom.

Aachen is for me even nicer, smaller also.

I guess US guides focus on Bavaria because it is where US troops were stationed. Each to his/her caserns ! Mine has been destroyed and reverted to playground for animals. Good riddance.

Pretty --> rather. Wouldn't want to sound pedantic. ;)

I had to chuckle yesterday; a 17-yr-old German boy who has lived in the US most of the the last 4 years told me that he never knew where Americans were talking about when they said "Cologne". :)

no comment on Cologne as I have never been there...does not look that interesting...but as for the AB show...well he seems to find the underbelly of any city as well as non stop drinking. I used to really enjoy his shows but now he has gotten just weird...I watch mostly because he does feature some intriguing places that are on my list and he can be really good but have to overlook much of the strangeness.

well he seems to find the underbelly of any city as well as non stop drinking>

Well here it was locals calling Cologne ugly and Anthony was trying to show its best aspects.

We lived in Bonn for a short while and visited Cologne often, partly because we had friends who lived there. I thought it was perfectly nice, but not picturesque; it seemed a pleasant place to live, but it wouldn't top my list of cities I'd recommend to tourist. The Dom is, of course, stunning.

It is odd how much the English spelling of the city name differs from the German. Reminds me of a conversation I had with an American who didn't believe that Turin and Torino are the same place.

As for the brothel, there's a great passage in LeCarre (can't recall which) to that point. A guy checks into his hotel in Bonn, asks the bellhop where he can go for some fun, and the reply is "Cologne". Was still true in the 1990's!

The English spelling Cologne is actually close to the original birthname of Köln which had been Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium.
The English / Romance spelling is the short version "colonia" which simply means settlement or city.

And the "city" is a bit ugly ;-)

Ah, I have learned a lot, thanks!

I suppose cologne comes from Cologne?

Indeed it does:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eau_de_Cologne
I always thought 4711 was the first, but apparently eau de Cologne was invented by...an Italian.

>The English spelling Cologne is actually close to the original birthname of Köln which had been Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium. The English / Romance spelling is the short version "colonia" which simply means settlement or city.<

Well, »just a settlemet" would have been an »oppidum«. A colonia is a settlement of Roman citizens - quit a difference. it was Aggripina minor (the wife of emperor Claudius), born in Cologne, who was eager to see transferred that special status to her birthplace in 50 BC.

>And the "city" is a bit ugly ;-)<

It's like a yeast cake - much dough with a couple of tasty raisins inside.

>in 50 BC<

Sorry - AD.