What do you get when you combine dance, ballet, fire eaters, acrobats and a set designer extraordinaire?  Cirque du Soleil.  The world famous Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment" will be coming to Cologne in May. Each show is a synthesis of circus styles from around the world, with its own central theme and storyline. They draw the audience into the performance through continuous live music, with performers rather than stagehands changing the props.

If you like freshly made, simple and delicious Italian food then Vapiano is a restaurant you will like.  In this "canteen" style restaurant you can watch your food being cooked right in front of you. Tell the chef what you want and see the fresh ingredients being mixed together in the pan.  There is a menu of sauces at the pasta counter and a choice of freshly made pasta, plus some tasty daily specials like "Vanilla chicken sauce" or "Rafiloi Malaba".

Easter's not all about chocolate - there's a whole load of Easter specialities to be  enjoyed at this time of year - Simnel Cake, Hot Cross Buns, and what about a nice old fashioned rabbit pie?  After 40-days of self-restraint, you've got a right to overindulge. Whether it's chocolate, booze or fried fare you're craving, the Fiddlers have just the thing to soothe your sacrificial woes on Easter Sunday.

Do you remember the phrase "it will last you forever" - when was the last time you bought something that could live up to that expectation?  In these days of throwaway fashion, even the latest "it" bag costing thousands of euros will be thrown on the fashion scrap heap when the next season's "must have" hit's the pages of Vogue.  That's not the case in Manufactum - here you can buy stuff - that lasts.  With the slogan "The good things in life still exist" Manufactum sells everything from pure vegetable soaps and original Belgium chocola