Car Hire: Take advantage of the easyJet inflight rates. Visit the Europcar desk on arrival or call +49 (0)220 395 5880. Open from 6.45am-11.30pm Monday-Friday and 7.30am-10.30pm at the weekend.

Airport Transfer: Pre-book your door-to-door transfer with easyJet’s transfer partner, Holiday Taxis—from home to the airport, then city or resort (easyjet.holidaytaxis.com).

Train: Trains for central Cologne run every 10-15 minutes. Tickets: €7.

Taxi: The fare to Cologne is about €30 and Bonn €40.

Buttermutter
( 9 Aachener Strasse, Cologne. Tel. 0221 946 5561 )
A classy version of the typical Cologne imbiss—a fast food take-away serving chips and currywurst on paper plates.

Schaumburger Hof
( 10 Am Schaumburger Hof, Bonn. Tel. 0228 956 3529 )
This traditional German gasthaus has a history stretching back 250 years. With its beautiful half-timbered exterior and fresh and lively menu, it's the perfect blend of old and new.

La Cigale
( 26 Friedrichstrasse, Bonn . Tel. 0228 184 1250 )
For a taste of France in the middle of Bonn visit La Cigale, a wine restaurant with fabulous wines and tasty daily specials. The sleek interior and stylish décor ensure an unforgettable meal.

Ristorante Grande Milano
( 29-37 Hohenstaufenring, Cologne. Tel. 0221 242 121 )
Authentic Italian cuisine in lavish surroundings. From the candles to the decanted water, it’s five-star service all the way. After your delicious main course, make sure you try the suppa inglese ice-cream.

Hammond Bar
( 25 Metzer Strasse, Cologne. Tel. 0221 932 9229 )
Stepping into the Hammond Bar is like stepping into a James Bond film—it’s a genuine slice of the 1960s. Laid-back and charming, it's a great place to start or end an evening.

Mio Mio
( 55 Friedrich Strasse, Bonn. Tel. 0228 9610 8533 )
For a little live music in a cosy venue, visit Mio Mio where you can listen to Latin guitars or laid-back jazz while sipping a beer, or enjoy the excellent Mediterranean cuisine.

Hemingways
( 43 Friesenstrasse, Cologne. Tel. 0228 654 074 )
A bar upstairs and tightly packed little club downstairs. Clubbers are a mixed bunch, rubbing shoulders to the sound of pumping house, pop and old school.

It's sale time! The Germans still like to restrict their big bargains to the winter and summer sales, so go to Schildergasse in Cologne or the city centre in Bonn and find some top seasonal savings.

Escape the cold weather in one of the region's famous spas. Aqualand in Cologne (www.aqualand.de, German only) is a crystal-encrusted centre with saunas, pools and water slides. The Juba Wellness Temple in Bonn features Egyptian-style décor (www.jubawellnesstempel.de).

Bonn Beuel, just across the river from Bonn, was the first to be settled by the Romans. Relaxed and easy going, it boasts good shopping and bars, plus some great views across the river.

Catch the wonderful Gandhara exhibition at the KAH in Bonn. With 300 outstanding objects, it is a great introduction to the art of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara (until 15 March. www.bundeskunsthalle.de).

Schlosspark Brühl  – Pay a visit to the gorgeous Schlosspark Brühl and its delightful Schloss Augustburg. Built for Clemens August von Wittelsbach in 1725, it’s a great winter day out (6 Schlossstrasse, Brühl).

Bonn has lost its Pluto! The Planet Walk maps out the solar system with a series of globes and plaques along the Rhine, but the last planet has been lost in space for years. Maybe you’ll discover the elusive globe?

Compiled by Gaby Pinkner/www.rhinemagazine.com