Cologne

Most of the city of Cologne was destroyed during the WW II, but it emerged thru a miraculous recovery, and became an attractive and lively city as a center of arts in Europe. It was founded by the Romans in 38 BC.
The Dom dominates the city, this Gothic architecture cathedral begun in 1248 and completed in 1880. Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas studied and taught here.
Visit Bonn where Beethoven's birthplace is located at Bonngasse 20, it houses various mementos and musical instruments. A short ride of train to the west lies Aachen, where Charlemagne ruled the Holy Roman Empire from this city in the early IX th century.