 Cologne & Aachen
As Germany's fourth largest city, Cologne hosts
not only the massive Gothic Dom Cathedral
– one of the country's most visited monuments,
but also boasts probably the best Christmas
Markets in the whole of Germany. Here, you will
have ample time to stroll amongst the wonderfully
decorated stalls and shops, and to buy those
last-minute Christmas goodies and traditional
'stocking fillers,' or to explore this beautiful city.
Our excursion continues with a visit to the medieval city of Aachen, historically one of the most important cities in Europe. In the Middle Ages, Aachen was an imperial city and residence of kings and emperors; it was here that coronations took place and governments made laws. Emperor Charlemagne built his imperial palace here, although it was later used to build parts of the cathedral (World Heritage Site) and town hall, which houses the Gothic Coronation Hall, erected on the foundation of the old Carolingian Palace in the 14th century. The Hall was converted into a baroque palace in the 17th and 18th century and replicas of the ‘Reichskleinodien’ (Imperial Jewels) are exhibited here. There will also be the opportunity to explore Aachen at leisure, and to shop in the markets which run alongside the Cathedral itself. 
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