EXCELSIOR HOTEL ERNST
Cologne has over 250 hotels and 25,000 beds, so finding a place to sleep should not be a problem. I stayed at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst, conveniently located across the street from the Cologne Dom. This 5-star, 152-room hotel has been in business since 1863. All rooms are decorated with precious antiquities, rich fabrics and beautiful paintings. I was fortunate to score the Excelsior Suite for one night. When I walked through the double door marble hallway entrance I felt like a movie star. The living room was most impressive. The view of the Dom was incredible – breathtaking, actually. In addition, it was a bright, warm room, with comfortable furniture and a plasma flat screen TV. There was also a large desk so I could get some work done. (Wireless internet is available, but it's free only in the 24-hour business center.) The walk-in closet was bigger than some hotel rooms I've seen. Outside the bedroom was a completely complimentary mini-bar –that's one mini-bar you don't feel guilty raiding.

MY BEDROOM
The bed consisted of two mattresses pushed together to form a king. I never understood why many European hotels have two mattresses in rooms that everyone knows will be occupied by couples. I always thought it was because they could make twin beds up for non-couples -- but I realized when I pulled up the twin-size (not king-size) blanket that the idea is for couples to sleep better at night. If your partner tosses and turns, you don't feel it in either the mattress or covers. How clever is that? A bathroom that I wouldn't mind being trapped in was as luxurious as it gets. In fact, it too was large. There was wall-to-wall marble; a shower with two built-in marble seats; strong water pressure; relaxing soft lights – and it doubles as a steam room. To top it off, the whirlpool bath's outer wall was made of thick glass, giving a sexy fish tank affect. The expensive Bvlgari toiletries will make great stocking stuffers. After a good night's sleep, a sophisticated breakfast is included in the rates, which range from € 245.00 ($310) to € 1,850.00 ($2,342.20). Excelsior Hotel Ernst, Trankgasse 1-5/Domplatz,50667 Köln; tel.: 49-(0)-221-270-32-20.

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BRIEF HISTORY
Cologne was founded by the Romans in 50 A.D., making it one of Germany's oldest cities. Its Roman name was Colonia Claudia Are Agrippinensium. In 310 Constantine built a bridge over the Rhine. During World War II the city suffered major damage and casualties. The city lost 95 percent of its population (mostly to rural areas). But as soon as the war ended, Cologne quickly rebounded.

COLOGNE CATHEDRAL
Hohe Strasse is a popular shopping district. In fact, last year it was named the number one shopping street in Germany, with over 17,145 visitors passing by per hour. That's a lot of shoppers! I walked down it too, but the only things I bought were delicious pretzels. Shopping actually plays a minor role in this city. The most famous attraction by far is the Cologne cathedral (also known just as the 'Dom'). Its towering spires (515 feet high) can be seen from almost anywhere. The Dom, located in the heart of the city, is Germany's most popular monument: over 6 million visitors a year. (Notre Dame in Paris greets just a million more guests.) One reason for this Gothic cathedral's popularity is because it is believed to house relics of the Three Wise Men. In addition, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. The church was built in 1248 and completed 642 years later, in 1880. Though the church was bombed during WWII, it was not completely destroyed. It is now undergoing constant reconstruction. Surprisingly, this church is not even the oldest in Cologne: 12 nearby Romanesque churches are all older. Be sure to attend either daily mass, take a guided tour, or head up to the top for a bird's-eye view. Cologne Cathedral, open Monday – Sunday, 6 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

ROMAN-GERMANIC MUSEUM
Cologne has so many museums, I could not visit them all. My first choice was the Chocolate Museum. But I wanted to save the best for last, so I waited until the day I left. I learned the hard way that in Germany, all museums close on Mondays. Fortunately, early in my stay I visited the Roman-Germanic Museum. It's located in the heart of the city, right next to the Cologne Dom. The Roman Art includes mosaics with scenes from the world of Dionysus. There's a reconstructed tomb of the legionary Poblicius, and a large collection of Roman glass vessels and early medieval jewelry. Römisch-Germanisches Museum, Roncalliplatz 4, D-50667 Cologne; tel.: 49-221-221-22304. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission: € 6.45 ($8.20).

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CIAO SARDEGNA
Sunny summer days in Sardegna makes people lazy -- at least, it did for me and everyone I came across. All anyone wanted to do was relax, drink, eat delicious food and swim in the warm blue Tyrrhenian Sea. What a way to spend your vacation.

HLX TO COLOGNE
Rather than fly back to London, I took Olbia's other low-fare carrier HLX (Hapag-Lloyd Express), which serves Cologne, Germany. Checking in with HLX could not have been any easier, and going through security could have not been quicker. There was no line, and no one made me take my shoes off or my computer out of my bag. Instead of purchasing drinks and food on the plane, I bought a delicious mozzarella and tomato panini in the airport for $3. HLX does not assign seating, so Anabel and I had to check in early to get early boarding cards. It turned out that didn't matter, because they loaded every passenger on two buses that departed and arrived at the same time. The ones who boarded last were the first to get off the buses and onto the plane, but it didn't matter because Anabel and I still found seats together on the 737-800 series plane. Flight time was only 1 hour and 40 minutes, and because we came from an EU country I didn't have to go through customs.

INTERNATIONAL CELL PHONE
Many people ask me what phone service I use when I am abroad. When I travel I always bring my international (GSM ) cellular phone with me. Most U.S. cell phone companies don't even have GSM tri-band phones, and the ones that do (T-Mobile) charge way too much for incoming and outgoing calls. Instead of paying their high rates, save money and get your own GSM phone. It's not expensive, and there are a couple of options (renting is one). But before I leave the country I get the local SIM chip (Subscriber Information Module) for the place I'm headed to. The SIM chip gets inserted into the phone, and serves as the brain (it contains such information as the cell phone number, voice mail and call logs). The SIM gives me a local number, so no one needs to dial long distance. Best of all, when my friends and family back home call, it's free. That's right: All incoming calls are free in most countries! Another huge plus is that when I call them, it costs me at least half what a U.S. cell company would charge. Of course, I travel with my laptop, and try to use Skype (more info on Skype) as much as possible. Still, it's nice to be able to access home just a phone call away wherever I am. A number of cell companies provide these phones, but I use Cellular Abroad. I wholeheartedly recommend them -- and even talked them into offering a $10 discount to all JohnnyJet.com visitors. Be sure to mention Johnny Jet when ordering over the phone (1-800-287-3020) or online (CellularAbroad.com).

VIDEO
Here's a 2-minute Johnny Jet Video of my incredible vacation to Sardegna. To view past videos, here's a link of all JohnnyJet Videos ever made. With high-speed the video takes about 1 minute to load; with dial-up, it could be 3 weeks.

NEXT WEEK
Germany. Stay tuned.

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TAKING THE TUBE
I got off at Tottenham Hale. From there I jumped on the tube (also called the underground -- their subway), a short walk away. I traveled to Victoria Station, and transferred one stop to the Circle/District line. I went westbound one stop to Sloane Square and walked three blocks to my hotel. It would have been easier to take a taxi, but the 'blackies' aren't cheap and traffic in London is horrendous. For info and tips on using the tube, check out this page.

ELEVEN CADOGAN GARDENS
I checked into the 60-room, 4- star Number Eleven Cadogan Gardens Hotel. It's located in the heart of Chelsea, smack between Buckingham Palace and Harrods (just a 10 minute walk to the latter). Number Eleven is set on a beautiful garden square in a Victorian townhouse built by Lord Chelsea over 100 years ago on his former cricket ground. This brick mansion used to be the home of famous brewer Sir Benjamin Guinness, but after World War II it was turned into a hotel. The hotel is privately owned, family run, and has plenty of both English charm and history. Because it's in a residential neighborhood, it's very peaceful and quiet.

MY ROOM
When I first arrived I felt as if I were walking into someone's home. My room wasn't quite ready, so I flipped open my computer and downloaded emails using their free wireless internet. I was offered tea, and escorted to my room. Most of the employees were from Poland. When I stepped into my room I was shocked at how large and elegant it was, with primarily traditional furniture. The bed had crisp white Egyptian cotton sheets, and was so comfortable I fell asleep watching the morning news on the flat screen TV. The bathroom was wall to wall marble, with a powerful shower, separate tub, heated towel racks and Molton Brown toiletries. Breakfast is included in the daily rate, which ranges from £145 ($271) to £500 ($936). There is a gymnasium and sauna, but I didn't have time to use either because the following morning I had to be on a plane to…? Eleven Cadogan Gardens, 11 Cadogan Gardens, Sloane Square, London; tel.: 44(0)20-7730-7000.

VIDEO
Here's a 2-minute Johnny Jet Video of my Eos flight and brief stay in London. If you want to view past videos, here's the link to all JohnnyJet Videos ever made. Remember: With high-speed the video takes about 1 minute to load; with dial-up, it could be three weeks.
For more click HERE.