A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
When did you first visit Cologne?
Emelie de Vitis: “On a school trip to study German in 1996, when I was 16. I found it to be a fascinating city, with a quiet sophistication. I’m especially drawn to its architecture and many museums and galleries but, most importantly, the unexpected joie de vivre. After joining Rimowa, whose hometown is Cologne, I naturally gravitated to the city even more.”
Ruttkowski;68Simon Menges
Where’s the best place to soak up some culture in Cologne?
EdV: “It’s never a struggle to get an art fix in Cologne. Rimowa’s new innovation partner, the Museum Ludwig, has one of the most important collections of 20th- and 21st-century work. Then there’s the Museum for East Asian Art, the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM), and the even more contemporary Ruttkowski;68 Gallery—all of which are worth a visit. For a day trip out of the city, going to the Keramion museum in Frechen is a must, if only to see the jaw-dropping design of its spaceship-style building by the late Cologne-based architect Peter Neufert.”
The Qvest HideawaySimon Menges
Where is the best place to stay in Cologne?
EdV: “The Qvest Hideaway is the best hotel in town. It’s a reflection of the city in that it’s simultaneously classic and contemporary. Housed in a historical building in the Old Town, its neo-Gothic, cathedral-like ceilings are juxtaposed with chic, modern furnishings, such as Arne Jacobsen chairs and soft sculptures by Verner Panton. But it’s the museum-worthy collection of photography that really makes it stand out.”
Where is the best place to eat out in Cologne?
EdV: “Wallczka on Subbelrather Street is always a go-to, with a fantastic global menu that takes in cooked octopus, kimchi, and Italian burrata. I go there for either a quick bite or a relaxed dinner with friends—and in the summer, it’s lovely to sit outside on the pavement.”