Romance on the Rhine
The Excelsior Hotel Ernst is one of Cologne’s finest marvels. The romantic retreat offers complete bliss to couples looking to indulge in deluxe rooms featuring enormous stone baths, sink in-the-middle queen beds and stunning views of the Cologne Cathedral.
The luxury 5 star hotel offers amazing fine dining experiences perfect for special romantic occasions. Hanse Stube specialises in innovative French cuisine merged with regional influences with a food menu that is brimming with mouth watering aphrodisiacs. The relaxing ambience of the Riesling Lounge allows couples to relax in the intimate cosy atmosphere while sampling some of Germany’s finest wines. The hotel also features a charming Piano Bar where couples can enjoy the Excelsior Hotel Ernst’s High Tea experience whilst listening to the harmonic classical music.
Outside the grand walls of the hotel, history can be found in every corner of Cologne, sometimes in places you would least expect. For example Europe’s busiest railway bridge, has become the most romantic spot in Cologne. Thousands of engraved padlocks adorn the railings all featuring personal little love messages from couples who have visited the bridge. The love locks are displayed to symbol the love between two people that cannot be broken, after securing their padlock to the fence, lovers then toss the key into the river Rhine below.
The Excelsior Hotel Ernst is currently offering a “Love Bird” package, which consists of couples staying one night in a luxurious suite. Couples will be greeted on arrival with champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries and their suite will be decorated with rose petals. Champagne breakfast is served in your suite and as an added extra, couples have the option of a later check out time of 4pm, allowing for long, lazy lie-ins for as long as they like! The hotel have recently collaborated with luxury Roman bath house, Claudius Therme to offer couples a relaxation package in which they can have one day full use of the thermal bath and sauna when booking a luxury junior suite. Transfers between the hotel and Claudius Therme will be provided and of course a complimentary cocktail in the elegant Piano Bar afterwards!
Ever wondered why Germany’s fourth largest city is called Cologne? The old town, Altstadt located between the Deutzer Brücke and the Hauptbahnhof, is where Cologne’s internationally known fragrance was made. Couples can visit Farina House which is now a museum and retail outlet, to discover the history behind the perfume’s creator Giovanni Farina and of course purchase Eau de Cologne.
Cologne’s iconic cathedral is as significant as the Eiffel tower is to Paris. It’s grand; it’s gothic and bursting with history. The magnificent twin towers dominate the skyline and beautiful stained glass interiors; make the perfect picture taking opportunity.
No romantic weekend break to Cologne would be complete without a visit to the city’s Chocolate Museum. After learning about the origin of chocolate and how it is made into delicious pralines and truffles, couples can finally give into temptation and indulge into the sweet sensation of chocolate!
Cologne also has a great selection of independent boutiques as well as leading designer brands stores that are located within the Ehrenstrasse and Mittelstrasse areas.
These are just a handful of city-sights and activities that Cologne has to offer. This is a German city of alternative culture that has been hiding away until now. With the summer month’s jam packed with different festivals and events to see, Cologne is Europe’s 2011 must visit destination.
For more information, visit: excelsior-hotel-ernst.de
