European Tribune - Comments - Tuesday Open Thread

Depends what you like...

Personally I'd vote for Koeln.

Frankfurt has some nice spots, Altstadt etc. but not really better than Koeln. And Koeln has the Dom, Koelsch and the Rhine. There's usually some kind of event on down by the Rhine in summer, too.

Of course, if it's raining, you may prefer Frankfurt's set of museums... depends what you like...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 02:14:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

My thought was to get the overnight train from Prague to Frankfurt and then to travel onto Cologne during the day so I get to absorb some scenery along the way. (trying to go by some of DoDo's suggestions in my earlier Prague/Europe diary).

So I either stay overnight in Frankfurt and spend a few hours in Cologne before getting the overnight to Paris or have a few hours in Frankfurt and then go to Cologne and stop overnight. Or only visit Cologne.

Booking the trains this evening!

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 02:19:30 PM EST
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Unless you feel the pull of say, the Goethe house or the Communications museum you can see most of what is to be seen in the centre of Frankfurt in around 3 hours or so I would say.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 03:01:43 PM EST
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I think that is my most likely option. I'd like to see the skyscrapers! Do you know if I'd be able to leave my backpack at the train station? lockers/left luggage?

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by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 03:08:57 PM EST
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Yes, according to this they do have luggage lockers. (Actually, I knew that without checking; all large stations in Germany do. But this website is useful for checking if you are going to a much smaller station, which may not have them).

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 03:23:23 PM EST
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Ah thanks. I found a traveller review that thought there were lockers, but thanks for confirming. That makes all the difference! I can explore Frankfurt for a few hours without a huge backpack to drag about with me.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 03:25:26 PM EST
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There used to be both, but I haven't been there for a couple of years now. Google seems to indicate they are still there.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 03:25:46 PM EST
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I personally like Köln better. Wouldn't it make more sense to take a train to Köln instead of Frankfurt. From Frankfurt you would have to go back up again.

The question is also, which of the two cities offers a better connection to Paris. I personally would go to Köln, maybe Koblenz and then to Frankfurt, as my guess is, you have there a better connection to Paris.

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 03:33:14 PM EST
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The train to Frankfurt/Cologne would be an overnighter so to get in some scenery I want to do a bit of daytime travel between the two. There are things I want to see in Frankfurt as well as Cologne but Cologne is easier for getting to Paris I think.

I seem to have figured out the itinery now. I'll arrive in Frankfurt early am, spend a few hours exploring after I dump my bag in a locker. Go to Cologne and stay overnight, spend a day exploring and go to Paris late aft, and get the overnight to Toulouse.

Arrive all worn out at afew's!

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by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 04:03:59 PM EST
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Sounds like quite a trip you are planing. When are you taking your train to Frankfurt?

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 04:20:50 PM EST
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the 20.36 from Prague to Frankfurt. I hope I sleep ok because I will arrive at 6.54.

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by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 04:23:10 PM EST
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On Monday night?

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 04:28:37 PM EST
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Yes. arr Frankfurt tues, also go to Cologne tues pm. Cologne to Paris weds pm, arrive in toulouse thurs 21st am. :)

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by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 04:30:27 PM EST
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So we might be travelling a part of the way together after all. :-) I also take the 20:36, and as far as I know it passes through Frankfurt.

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 04:35:04 PM EST
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lol! Probably not in the same part of the train but it will be good to travel to the station with you.

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by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 04:41:49 PM EST
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Well, they do have a wagon restaurant!

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 04:46:16 PM EST
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Hurrah!

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by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 04:48:24 PM EST
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I suddenly pictured you in hockey uniform ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 05:02:19 PM EST
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ice hockey? I don't really do jolly hockey sticks.

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by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 at 05:05:45 PM EST
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