A North American Tour Guiding Experience in Cologne, Germany
Unique, personable, customizable.
It is your vacation, time, and money. Allow me to be your guide! Experience the culture of Cologne with a relatable and humourful guide in an accent you are familiar with! As an American living in Cologne for nearly a decade, my love for the city runs deep and my desire to share my adopted home is profound. I am a performer by trade, historian by passion, and Colognian by choice.
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Every tour can cover historical facts and figures. However, my unique position enriches your experience by lacing together familiar references with insightful cultural comparisons. As a result, I provide a richer context, deeper perspective with a more relatable understanding of Cologne and its story. This is your vacation not school, so lets have some fun.
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My tours are designed for the intellectually curious with specific attention paid to the relationship between history and culture. Using story telling, personal anecdotes, and visual representations, I bridge the gap between Cologne's long, rich past and its contemporary culture.
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Yes! Depending on your interests, we can tailor any of my tours to fit your needs. Remember, guiding is not limited to historical centers or looking at old stones and buildings. I can help you explore present day neighborhoods, everyday life, and current cultural norms. Lets talk and make something special!
My Tours
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Cologne has an incredible history. From its Roman roots, the city evolved into one of the epicentres of medieval Europe. Following its utter destruction during WW2, it then transformed into a thriving modern city possessing a unique mentality, culture, and customs. Using the Rhein River and its surroundings as a backdrop to highlight Cologne’s rich cultural treasures and history, we will experience the Old Town of Cologne. Tours typically include the Cologne Cathedral, Huemarkt, Altermarkt, Museum Ludwig, Romano-Germanic Museum, Rheinuferpromenade, Fischmarkt, Groß St. Martins Church, and the Hohenzollern Bridge.
Duration - 2 Hours
€150 for up to 6 people.
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Using the Classic Tour as our blueprint, we stay in the Old Town and we weave in visits to Cologne's famous Kölsch Brewhouses as we go. Here we learn about Cologne’s Kölsch beer history, traditions, etiquette, and stories about the brewing families. Price includes 1 beer/softdrink per brewhouse. This tour can be upgraded to include local foods served in the brewhouses or a prearranged stop for lunch or dinner. Food costs are not included, price and options can be prearranged.
Duration 3 -3.5 Hours
€225 plus €20 per person drink fee.
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It is your tour, make it yours. Allow me to work with you to craft a unique experience with your visit to Cologne. After a brief consultation, where I get to learn about you and your interests, I will create a custom tour based on our discussion. Below is an example of how a custom tour can be curated.
A couple has stated they enjoy physical activity and are interested in medieval history and architecture, Turkish cuisine, Kölsch beer and World War 2 history. They also requested to leave the old town of Cologne to see a few neighborhoods and shopping districts.
Sample Itinerary -
1 pm Cologne Cathedral, after a brief walk around the building learning its history, we then climb 533 steps to the top of the southern tower where we enjoy the 360 views of Cologne.
2 pm A quick visit to Früh Kölsch Brewhouse for a refreshment. From there, we begin our Cologne walking tour with an emphasis on medieval Cologne starting in the Old Town and transitioning into contemporary neighborhoods. We conclude our first part of the walking tour at the largest remaining medieval gate in the city - Hahnentorburg
4 pm Doner Kebabs at a favorite local Turkish restaurant.
4:30 pm Walking tour resumes as we explore more neighborhoods and main shopping areas, along the way we stop at Päffgen, the last remaining inner city functioning brewhouse for a quick Kölsch before retracing the US 3rd Armored Divisions steps as they advanced on the Cologne Cathedral, which ended with famous tank battle directly in front of the Cathedral.
6pm Tour End.
€350 * **
* Duration 5 Hours (Custom tours vary in lenght and cost)
**Cost includes 1 beer/soft drink per brew house and entrance fee to the Cathedral. Food costs are not included, price and options can be prearranged.
About me
My guided tours offer an unparalleled and unique custom experience, led by my passion for the history and culture of Cologne and the surrounding areas.
While committed to excellence and detail, humor and storytelling play a significant role in my approach to guiding. I strive to ensure your experience is both informative and memorable.
Contact me
Would you like to create a tour together? Let me know what you are interested in and I will be in touch. I look forward to hearing from you!