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| Last weekend, we took off on a whim to Cologne, Germany, kicking off our first Christmas market of the season. I didn't take this picture. I found it at koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com. It is a shot of the Christmas market at the Cologne Cathedral. |
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| The Cologne Cathedral is spectacular. Its façade is the largest in the world, and its history is equally grand. Behind the main altar is The Shrine of the Three Kings, the final resting place of the Three Wise Men. |
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| We went inside to say our prayers. |
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| On the night we were in town, the Christmas market was packed. Christmas markets are a major draw, and the Christmas market at the Cologne Cathedral is expecting more than 4 million visitors this year. |
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| Rides for the children are a staple of the Christmas markets, as well as great food, hot drinks, lots of lights and plenty of shopping. It's festive -- maybe a mini-Oktoberfest for the whole family, if you will. |
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| And so that means: Cologne was a winner with our kinder critics. |