Cologne

Cologne is one of Germany's biggest drawcards. It offers so much to the visitor: Germany's greatest cathedral, the country's biggest museum of Roman age finds, standing Roman and medieval walls and towers, a suite of priceless Romanesque churches and a historic town hall with tower and Renaissance portico.

The city is also a concert and opera centre and there more than 20 museums covering art - especially modern and church art - photography, history, ethnology, chocolate, dance, sport and, of course, perfume. It also becomes a carnival centre each February with costumed events and a grand parade. Its gardens help make it one of Germany's most attractive cities.

Cologne is also a base for exploring the middle Rhine, including river cruises. It's between two other great cities, Düsseldorf and Bonn, and only half an hour from both.