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Bonn was the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (the erstwhile West Germany) and lies on banks of the river Rhine some 24 km south of Cologne. With the capital shifting to Berlin, Bonn has become a popular choice for large-scale exhibitions and conferences. Bonn is also the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. Its population is 315,000.
The town's patron saints are the Christian Thebaean legionaries, Cassius and Florentius, who were martyred in Bonn in the fourth century CE.
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How to Get There:
Bonn is accessible by air, rail and road. The closest airport to Bonn is the Cologne-Bonn, just 16 km north. Taxi fare is around € 35-40 to central Bonn. Buses are also available to the main railway station in central Bonn, at € 6.70. You can also take a train from the airport to Bonn-Beuel, which is on the other side of the river from Bonn city. If you come by a mainline train, you will reach the Bonn Hauptbahnhof, or Bonn Main Railway Station. All roads into Bonn are arterial and have proper signage to guide you into central Bonn.
What to See:
Bonn is said to be the “Gate to the Romantic Rhine”. The following sights are a must visit: Das Bonner Münster, a beautiful basilica, in Bonn's city centre; Kreuzbergkirche, for a Visit of the Holy Staircase; the Deutsche Welle World Headquarters and Radio; Palais Schaumburg and Villa Hammerschmidt, erstwhile residence/ office of the Chancellor; Beethoven-Haus, Haus der Geschichte, Kunstmuseum Bonn, Deutsches Museum Bonn, all museums; Alter Zoll (old customs house),Agia Trias Church,Old St. Martins Church, Old Cemetery, Old Town Hall, Bonn’s Southern Quarter, Botanical Gardens, Double church, Schwarzrheindorf, Koblenz Gate, La Redoute, Münster Basilica, Name of Jesus Church, Remigius Church, Rhenish Friedrich-Wilhelm University and Star gate.
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Other options include guided tours. A quick look at a map shows that Bonn is surrounded by nature: to the south of the Rhine one can find the Ville and the wildlife park Kottenforst while the Siebengebirge (Seven Mountains) sit to the north. This tour will provide the traveler with information on the "Siebengebirge," their geological origins and their historical importance to the mining community. On this tour visitors will appreciate the beauty and legendary world of the Rhine with all its villages and hamlets.
After a short tour around Bonn you will be led right into the Siebengeirge, the oldest natural preserve in all of Germany, to the "Chorruine Heisterbach."
Then, after a short coffee break at the Schlesien house, a soccage court first mentioned in the 12th century and used today as a cultural centre, you will be led to Ittenbach at Petersberg, the guest house of the Federal Repulic of Germany. From there to the tourist friendly Königswinter, from where guests will return to Bonn by boat. As an alternative for the non-seafarers, there is an option to take the bus back to Bonn. However if you wish to stay in Königswinter longer than the tour there is a train option but it must be paid for separately. Duration: 3 hours. Price: 3 hours 100,00 €, each additional hour 25,00 €.
Where to Eat:
Bönnsch, near Friedensplatz in the central pedestrian zone, Local Bierhaus that brews its own beer. Food includes staples such as schnitzel with fries, steaks and other hearty fare. €15-20 including drinks. Bierhaus Machold, Heerstrasse (near the corner of Wolfstrasse, Altstadt), Excellent German food and good beer in a nice pub. Beer garden in summer. Try the Jägerschnitzel! €7-15 for mains.
Ristorante Caminetto, Römerstrasse 83, A very nice and delicious Italian restaurant in the heart of Bonn, where you get a selection of the finest wines and meals of the region of Piedmont.
Clubs and Discos:
Blow Up, Carpe Noctem, Drei Raum Wohnung, N8schicht.
Shopping :
Bonn has the reputation of being a great shopping city, which is especially due to its pedestrian precinct, one of the biggest ones in Germany. All around the market place in the narrow streets and alleys one will find hundreds of stores. Shopping is a real pleasure, whether it is around here or in shopping malls like the Kaiserpassage or the Altstadtcenter (old town centre) in Bad Godesberg. Siegburg with its compact centre also enjoys a good reputation as a visitor-friendly shopping city, and the health resort Bad Neuenahr or the medieval winegrowers’ village of Ahrweiler make shopping a pleasure as well.
Hotels:
As recommended, book your hotel online using the instructions provided, or by phone. There are over seven hundred bed and breakfast guesthouses, with standard charges of €25-35.
Accommodation is rarely a problem in Bonn, with over thirty 4-5 star hotels charging between €54-115, and numerous 2-3 star hotels charging from € 30-50, depending on location. Parking facilities are standard, if you have driven in.
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