Two of the ‘big boys’ clash in Munich in the second game of the day.

Germany

Cologne is up there with my favourite German cities. Arriving by train is great as you cross the Rhine into the Hauptbahnhof, and as soon as you exit the station you are met with the colossal gothic cathedral.

I went near Christmas from nearby Düsseldorf, and took in the atmospheric Christmas Markets.

I decided to climb the 533 steps to the top of the cathedral – pretty exhausting with a heavy bag in tow. Well worth it though for stunning views.

Portugal

A pleasant train ride from Lisbon lies the picturesque town of Sintra.

The charming place houses some fine buildings, cosy restaurants and a wonderful set of gardens.

High up in the hills above Sintra sit two wonderful sites to visit.

The Pena Palace, a revivalist reconstruction according to the 19th century romantic taste, that owes its existence to the passion and imagination of the artist king Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the husband of Queen D. Maria II.

The Castelo dos Mouros was built in the 8th and 9th centuries by the Moors and extended after the Reconquest, bearing witness to the Islamic presence in the region.

I took the bus to both, but unfortunately everything was shrouded in fog! A perfect excuse to go again.

Score prediction – Germany 1 Portugal 2