Take a cable car ride over the Rhine and see Cologne from a different angle. You can start at either the Zoo or Rheinpark, making it easy to combine with a stroll or a visit nearby. The trip is short but offers great views—perfect for a sunny afternoon or just a relaxed way to cross the river.

Pobiti Kamani, also known as the Stone Forest, is a fascinating natural phenomenon featuring numerous limestone pillars, some as tall as 10 metres. These formations include hollow and solid cylinders, truncated cones, and scattered rocks and cliffs. The origin of this unique landscape remains a mystery, although evidence of human life dating back to the Mesolithic period has been discovered here. It's an intriguing destination for nature enthusiasts and those interested in geological history. If you visit during the summer, make sure you bring water, a hat, and sunscreen, as the area can get quite hot. The Stone Forest is accessible by car or public transport.

Scattered throughout the Old Town, these twelve churches are among the oldest buildings in Cologne—most of them date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. They’ve all got that heavy Romanesque look, but each one’s a bit different. Great St. Martin stands out with its massive tower right by the river, St. Gereon has got an unusual oval dome, and St. Maria im Kapitol is one of the largest. You don’t need to see all twelve, but stopping in at a couple while you’re exploring the Old Town gives you a good feel for the city’s medieval side.

One of the world’s greatest urban transformations, the Dubai Water Canal is a 3.2-kilometre-long waterway which extends from the Creek in Old Dubai through Business Bay, before finding its way to the Arabian Gulf. It effectively turns a significant part of the emirate into an island. Board a water taxi to Marasi Drive, home to a sparkling marina, water homes and cool dining venues such as Bella at Grand Millennium Hotel and BASTA! at The St. Regis Downtown.