Aachen is a sleepy town today. However, it once was the epicentre of Europe, under the mighty Frankish emperor Charlemagne.

I went to the Aachener Dom to see Charlemagne´s cathedral, constructed in 800. It displays a Byzantine architectural influence, despite a Gothic exterior. I cannot describe how fantastic this cathedral is; it was one of my favourite sites that I have visited. Charlemagne himself is buried in the cathedral, something that humbled me. The town retains elements of its old towers and turrets, befitting its status as one of the early capitals of Northern Europe.

When John and I emerged, it had begun to rain, so we sat in a bar and watched the German Grand Prix; we then ate dinner at a Greek restaurant where the owner gave us free shots of potent ouzo and fed us like we were starving.