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today IDS Cologne 24.03.

headquarters of the US Central Intelli- gence Agency. In two congress centres, the fairground additionally offers space for the organization of congresses for up to 12,000 participants. Seventy trade showsandexhibitionsattracting2.3mil- lionvisitorsareheldthroughouttheyear. Recently, the city of Cologne an- nounced to revitalize the fairground by constructing a number of new commer- cial offices and hotels within an area of 135,000 sqm. In addition, a permanent musicaltheatreisplannedtobebuilton this site. The new Messe-City will be lo- cated in close range to the existing exhi- bitionhalls.Ontheoppositesideitabuts on the Deutz train station. However, city development in Co- logne is not only restricted to the area around the fairground and even regular visitors to the city are able to discover something new every time they come back. In October 2010, for example, the CulturalCentreatthenewmarket(Neu- markt) was officially opened. The new building with its three-sided glass fa- cadeissupposedtocombineandexhibit museums, art and education. Close to the new building many galleries can be found as well as the Central Library. The main attraction of the city still remains the 750-year-old Cathedral which is visited by over six million peo- ple each year. According to a recent on- line poll conducted by the German Tourism Association and a German on- linecityportal,theremarkablebuilding has been voted the most favourite site among Germans for the fourth consecu- tive year leaving behind some other world-famous sights such as the Dres- den Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. This year, Germany honoured its most popular sight by producing 30 million 2-Euro coins which are showing the Cathedral on their backside. Cologne is the one major German citywiththehighestnumberofbarsand taverns. Visitors who would like to get a tasteofthefamouslocalbeerKölschcan choose between 24 different sorts. The popularbeverageisservedbya„Köbes“, a traditional waiter with skirting and a buckled money belt. It comes in glasses called„Kölschstangen“whichareputon a table in the shape of a circle. Empty glasses are constantly being refilled un- til the guest puts a beer tab on top. Visitors who want to experience authentic Cologne cuisine should order „Himmel un Ääd“ (mashed potatoes, onions and apple sauce), „Halve Hahn“ (half a bread roll with butter, Gouda cheese and mustard), „Hämche“ (salted pork leg), „Rievkooche“ (potatoe pan- cakes) or „Soorbrode“ (marinated pot roast). Those who are always looking out for the unusual or do not want to knowwhatisbeingservedontheirplate, should make a reservation at the Un- sicht-Bar (engl. Invisible) in the Eigel quarter where guests can have dinner in absolute darkness. The Hungarian restaurant Puszta-Hütte in Down Town isthefirstaddressformeatlovers.Since 1948,itonlyhasonemealonthemenu— goulash. The perfume museum Farina Haus is considered the oldest perfume pro- ductionsiteintheworld.In1709,Italian Johann Marina Farina created an odour at this location which is reputed to be a favourite fragrance of Napoleon, Voltaire or the famous German poet Jo- hannWolfgangvonGoethe.Intendingto honour his home town, Farina named theperfume“EaudeCologne”(Kölnisch Wasser).Evennowadaysitisapreferred fragrance and has become a favoured souvenir. Visitors who have equipped them- selves with the latest telecommunica- tion technology will not have a problem finding their way around the city as therearevariousapplicationsforsmart phones that help to locate the right streets,restaurantsorthenearestsight. There are apps offering virtual city maps, city guides, basic information about sights or museums as well as in- formation about the latest events and flight schedules. Alternatively, visitors can simply ask a resident for directions. People fromColognearesaidtobeveryfriendly andeagertohelpvisitorsduetoaunique system of mutuality called the “Kölsche Klüngel”.Theywillcertainlylendyouan ear or two when you go there. 7 Web links  www.koeln.de  www.stadt-koeln.de  home.meinestadt.de/koeln  www.koelnmesse.de  www.airport-cgn.de  koeln.prinz.de  insidecologne.de  www.rheintaler.net  www.kulturbox.de sightseeing76 IDS 2011 – 24. März 24 March ➟ AD