"De Höhner", Cologne dialect for "The Chickens," is the name of a band that also sings in the local dialect. They are one of Germany’s most successful carnival bands, playing up to five performances on a single evening during the festivities that immediately precede the beginning of Lent. But with more than 350 other appearances in all, they have plenty to do during the rest of the year as well.

Their singer, Henning Krautmacher, is a native of Cologne. He told us about his favourite spots in his beloved home town.

Recommended No. 1 – Cologne Arena

Cologne Arena is the Germany's largest and most modern multi-functional indoor events venue. Ice hockey and German handball Bundesliga matches are played in the arena, and many bands perform there. "De Höhner" themselves play to sold-out houses here for eleven days in a row during the carnival season, and in the autumn some 15,000 enthusiastic fans attend the traditional concert the band gives here. With some justification, Henning Krautmacher says Cologne Arena is more or less his second home.

Recommended No. 2 – Cologne Zoo

With some 8000 animals and around 700 species from every continent, Cologne Zoo enjoys international renown. Henning Krautmacher and his band are especially fond of the spectacular elephant park, the largest of its kind in Europe, even though the elephant "adopted" by Janus Fröhlich, one of the band members, is now in Seville Zoo.

Recommended No. 3 – the Tanzbrunnen

Named after the fountain at the centre of the complex, the Tanzbrunnen park and open-air theatre are nestled on the banks of the Rhine, and provide a fine view of the cathedral across the river. Created in 1928, the park covers 30,000 square metres and is a popular venue for numerous events.