The German Day Trip: Cologne and the Rhine

After my friend flew home and I had one last free day before heading off to India, I was hit with a feeling I can only describe as a “travel itch.” You know—the I can’t just sit around when there’s a whole city waiting to be explored kind of itch. And for some reason, Cologne was calling my name. Loudly! So, I packed up my backpack, laced up my (very unaware) walking shoes, and set off for one last European adventure before heading off to India.

One of the coolest things about Cologne is that as soon as you walk out of the train station, it's bam- massive beautiful cathedral. The location is really quite unbeatable.

Let me just say… I knew the Cologne Cathedral was going to be stunning, but WOW. The photos do not do it justice. It’s massive, dramatic, and something out of a fairytale. I had to struggle to pick my jaw off the floor, to be honest! Naturally, I had to climb it—because why just admire a cathedral, when you can challenge your legs, lungs, and life choices all at once? Also, this trip has been all about the church towers- I did the Dom tower in Utrecht, the Belfort tower in Brugge, and I wasn't going to leave Germany without conquering one more!

Spoiler: I made it to the top. Barely. My legs were crying, but my heart? Absolutely soaring. The view over the city, with the Rhine sparkling below and rooftops stretching out in every direction, made every step worth it. I just stood there for a moment, wind in my face, thinking, I really did this. By myself. Solo travel feels so magical sometimes. 

Post-leg workout, I wandered along the Rhine River, completely in love with the crisp autumn air. The trees were in full fall glow, and I found the perfect spot to plop down with a very tasty Gouda sandwich. Honestly? It might’ve been the hunger, but that sandwich tasted like joy. I people-watched for ages—tourists with cameras, locals on bikes, kids chasing leaves—and just soaked it all in. Sometimes, the simple stuff is the best part. I walked across the bridge and got some gorgeous views of the city, then walked back and took a few pictures on my little Kodak disposable camera so I could finish it before dropping it off at the camera store (very conveniently located next to the Cathedral) for development. 

When in Germany- you have to try currywurst. I remember my dad telling me about his experience eating this when he'd visited Frankfurt on a business trip years ago, but I didn't really believe him. How could Germany make a dish called currywurst? As an Indian, it just didn't make sense. However, I was proven extremely wrong, because it was absolutely delicious! I tried currywurst at the Cologne train station, from a place that was absolutely packed with locals. That's the only way to really tell a place is good, so I should have known. The spices, the sauce, the whole thing? Chef’s kiss.

I grabbed some German snacks for the road (as one does), and it hit me how different things felt here compared to the Netherlands—even though they’re neighbors. Same with Belgium and Luxembourg. It’s wild how these places are so close yet have their own distinct vibes.
As a Canadian, where you can drive for hours and still be in the same province (or the same stretch of highway), I was fascinated. Europe is like a patchwork quilt of culture, and I loved getting a peek at each piece.

That day in Cologne wasn’t jam-packed with “must-sees,” but it was perfect. I didn't make it to the Lindt factory or cross some other things off my travel list, but it was perhaps one of my favourite days of the trip. It was just me, a backpack, and a city that welcomed me with open arms (and a lot of stairs). I felt grateful—truly, deeply grateful—that I had the freedom and courage to travel alone, to follow my instincts, and to find joy in places I’d never been before.
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Cologne, you were the best surprise. Thanks for the memories—and the currywurst.