Next Stop: The City of Cologne
July 2, 2026
Our next stop was Cologne. In the morning, we took a walking tour of the city center. The city was founded by the Romans in 38 BCE, and a prominent part of the skyline is the Cologne Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in northern Europe. Allied bombing raids in World War II destroyed nearly all of the Old Town's buildings. Much of what stands today, including the historic center, was carefully reconstructed after the war and seems to have turned Cologne into one of Germany's major shopping destinations.
After lunch, we took a bus to Brühl, where Augustusburg Palace and its nearby hunting lodge, Falkenlust, are located, and we toured both. The Augustusburg grounds consist of extensive, meticulously maintained gardens that were closed at the time of our visit. The palaces were built starting in 1725 for Clemens August of Bavaria, Prince-Elector and Archbishop of Cologne, by architects Johann Conrad Schlaun and François de Cuvilliés the Elder. One of the highlights of Augustusburg Palace is the grand staircase created by Balthasar Neumann, a leading figure of German Rococo. Falkenlust, a smaller retreat completed a few years later, was used by Clemens August for private parties and gatherings after a day of falconry.
The photos below highlight some of our stops along the city tour, followed by photos taken during the Palace tour. And the last photo is of the fun dessert we had after dinner: Spaghetti Ice Cream. This dessert mimics spaghetti: vanilla ice cream extruded through a cold spätzle press ("noodles"), topped with strawberry puree ("tomato sauce") and grated white chocolate ("parmesan").
Click on the photos below to enlarge.
Cologne Cathedral
Construction began in 1248 and wasn't finished until 1880, an astonishing 632 years to complete.
Roman Harbor Street
As workers restored the road, they marked each stone's location. Rain erased the markings, and the stones were replaced randomly.
Ornate Augustusburg Dresser
Architect Johann Conrad Schlaun began the palace in 1725; Francois de Cuvillies took over in 1728 to finish it.
Palace Guard Hall Ceiling
Painted by Carlo Carlone around 1750, depicting the apotheosis of August alongside allegories of power, peace, and wisdom.
Falkenlust Palace
Built 1729-1737 as Clemens August's hunting lodge, sited along the migratory flight path of herons, his favorite prey.
Cologne Cathedral Closeup
Built to house the Shrine of the Three Kings, relics brought from Milan by the Archbishop in 1164.
Cologne Shop Hohe Strasse
Cologne is well known for shopping. Hohe is minutes from Schildergasse, one of the busiest shopping streets in Europe.
Augustusburg Palace Staircase
Balthasar Neumann designed the grand staircase. The walls and columns are coated in scagliola, a decorative plaster technique.
Palace Antechamber Tapestry
18th-century woven tapestry (Gobelin) depicting a bustling maritime harbor scene with dockworkers, cargo, sailing vessels.
Falkenlust Palace Fireplace
The Augustusburg Palace, its gardens, and Falkenlust Lodge were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
Peter's Brauhaus
Like every Cologne Brauhaus, Peter's serves only its own Kölsch, a beer style legally protected by a citywide brewers' agreement.
Augustusburg Palace in Brühl
Commissioned in 1725 by Clemens August, Archbishop of Cologne, and built atop the ruins of a medieval castle.
Augustusburg Staircase Ceiling
A fresco by Carlo Carlone from 1747-1750, depicting Elector Clemens August's glorification, surrounded by allegorical figures.
Augustusburg Dining Room
Placed on the ground floor for direct access to the gardens, this room served as the primary venue for summer banquets.
Spaghetti Ice Cream
Invented in 1969 by a 17-year-old Mannheim ice cream maker, inspired by a French dessert he'd tried while on a skiing trip.