Koeln Weihnachts Markt (Cologne Christmas Market)!

This weekend, I went to my first Christmas Market in Cologne Germany. Cologne has six Christmas Markets spread throughout the city. Different markets have different themes.

Unfortunately I didn't get many good pictures of the markets. Here is one picture looking down on one of the markets.

Here's another of me buying the traditional Gluehwein drink. Basically, it's red wine combined with various spices. Okay, okay, I didn't actually drink it!

Cologne also houses the largest cathedral in Germany. Here are a couple different view of it (It's virtually impossible to get it all in one picture!)

You can climb up 509 steps (although we only counted 491) to the top of the Dom. It's a beautiful view from the top. Unfortunately, it was too dark to get a good view. However, this is a view from part of the way up looking further up.

Another highlight of the trip was to the chocolate museum!

While I don't think the 7.50 Euro entrance fee was worth it, we did get some free chocolate samples.

They also had some interesting chocolate figures.

After all that strenuous museum learning we had to stop at the cafe on the first floor and sample the heisse trinkschokolade (hot drinking chocolate) and dreikoenigstorte (Three Kings cake). And, of course, I had to buy some chocolate to take home with me!

Okay, I didn't really buy this; but anyone want to get it for me for for Christmas?

I'd definitely recommend a trip to Cologne to anyone traveling to Germany!