Europe trip with baby- Cologne, Netherlands, Belgium and Paris (Day 1)

We bought our air tickets through Air France at RM5980 for three of us to and flow, arrival at Frankfurt, Germany and last day depart from Paris, France.

Day 1-

Frankfurt – Cologne (Germany)

Arrived in Frankfurt around 10am, we took the train to Frankfurt (M) Hauptwache station to pick up our car from Europecar company. This save us $30, as it will charge us $30 if we picked up the car in airport. (Checkout our car rental and petrol expenses in 10 things to prepare when travel to Europe with a baby)

We did not have chance to tour around Frankfurt as we need to rush to Cologne on the same day. Frankfurt seems like a busy city with big shopping malls, street stalls and street performances.

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Galeria shopping mall
Street performance
Street performance
Street food
Street food
We grab a bite at Mai und weinfest liebfrauenberg 2015 just across the Europecar office.
Mai und weinfest liebfrauenberg festival just across the Europecar office.

Before we traveled to Europe, we had researched on the route from Frankfurt to Cologne. And we concluded that there were 3 optional routes, West Rhine, East Rhine or the highway (autobahn). If we took highway, we estimated can reach Cologne in 2 hours, but we did not want to miss out all the views along the journey therefore we chose the West Rhine route (longer journey).

West Rhine scenery
West Rhine scenery

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There were plenty of castles along the West Rhine route, we spontaneously visited Burg Rheinstein castle with entrance fee €5 per person. On top of the castle, we can see the view of the rhine, it was just so beautiful.

Burg Rheinstein castle
Burg Rheinstein castle

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Later we found a little treasure by visited a small town named Bacharach, it was such a beautiful town, we wished we had time to grab a bite or a cup of coffee at the historical restaurant Altes Haus.

Bacharach
Bacharach
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Passing thru this tunnel into Bacharach town

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St. Peter Kirche
St. Peter Kirche

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Altes Haus (historical restaurant)
Altes Haus (historical restaurant)

We reached Cologne around 6pm and my friend, Neo had been waiting for us in the Cityclass Hotel Europa Am Dom. Chestnut (my baby) and I went checked in, while my hubby went to look for carpark. The hotel had the most perfect location, it just located across the masterpiece Cologne cathedral.

Neo was my coursemate, it had been 7 years I haven’t see her since we graduated. I felt sorry for her for waiting so long for our arrival, she looked exactly the same, smiley face and her contagious laughter just took away my long journey exhaustion. Later Neo’s boyfriend,  Christian arrived and joined us too. We chatted in the lobby while waiting for my hubby, but he returned about 45 minutes later. The hotel did not provide parking facilities, and hubby couldn’t find the car park recommended by the hotel staff, and after drove around the blocks during heavy traffic time, he finally found a car park with €20 per day. (P/S: rate varies in different car park)

Chestnut was jet-lag, tired and cranky, but luckily she fell asleep later so we can enjoyed a delicious meal and had a wonderful reunion with Neo and Christian. We went to a restaurant just a block away from the hotel, the restaurant served delicious German food and local brew beer. I was 3+ months pregnant and breastfeeding too, therefore I limited myself to consume just a little bit of beer.

Neo and Christian
Neo and Christian

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It was wonderful to dine with Neo and Christian, we learned so much about German’s food, historical and culture too. Luckily we were informed that the waiter will non stop top up beer once we finish it, if we do not want it anymore, we must covered our glass with coaster. Of course, charges on every top up. The food were delicious, Neo ordered a 2 metres sausage and hubby ordered a blood sausage, all course were served with the special white asparagus (Spargel). We were lucky able to try the white asparagus because it was the season. Thanks Neo and Christian so much for treating us this wonderful meal.

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Happiness is with good food and great company, we bid goodbye with Neo and Christian and back hotel to rest. We were exhausted but it was a satisfied day.

Cologne Cathedral (night view)
Cologne Cathedral (night view)

 

Tips for parent: If you have a baby, it is recommended to prepare your baby cereal or baby food jar before travel to Germany. In Germany, shops may not stay open later than 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. Shops also have to stay closed on Sundays and public holidays. Just in case you can not make it to reach the city earlier, at least your baby wont get starved. Secondly, I feel German food is a bit salty for baby, and some restaurant does not speak English too, may be it’s not so convenient to communicate.

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