Dusseldorf Germany A City Of Two Choices

When a group of Rhineland peasants decided what to call their village they had two choices as they had two rivers to give them a clue.

One of the rivers was called the Rhine the other was a rather pathetic looking specimen called the Dussel and in the end they opted for the latter and so the city of Dusseldorf was born!

In these debt ridden times although they went for the smaller choice.  The Dussel may flow in such a small volume but compared to the other they can certainly shout quite loudly on the financial front, as they are one of a few German cities that are debt free!

Large bronze monument telling the story of the founding of Dusseldorf …note the coins!

Their choice of city name may have seemed an odd choice looking at it today. However, in the end they made it all add up to become not only financially sound but also to use that money to become fabulously rich, in arts.

Dusseldorf sitting on the mighty river Rhine has certainly built a city of some culture.

Concert houses of international repute, opera, museums and galleries a plenty litter the central area.

Surprisingly the city is closer than many people realise it is reachable by train from the UK. It is possible using Eurostar from St Pancras to make a fairly quick connection via Brussels and Cologne using the very efficient Deutsche Bahn network.

German railways (Deutsche Bahn) ICE train in Brussels.

A second class fare can be fairly cheap and could get you there without airport hassle in about five hours of train time.

Currently there is a four hour stopover in Brussels but that is not wasted time. You have time certainly for a little exploration and chance to grab a very enjoyable lunch sampling those great tasting Belgium chips (cooked in beef fat) yummy! Just like they were years ago before the health police had their say. Moules and frites the number one Brussels meal choice.

Kunstpalast Museum area of Dusseldorf, Germany.

Leaving Brussels you on a DB ICE train as you continue your glide eastwards towards the Belgium border an onto Cologne at speeds around 250khm, a quick change in Cologne and you are soon pulling into central Dusseldorf the main station, with public transport and taxis a plenty.

There is much to say for the plus of travelling on a train. Once you have crossed the border at St Pancras you are pretty free no more waiting in departure lounges and the hassle of boarding a plane and the  luggage wait at the other end etc. It may even take around the same time in total, but I would bet most would arrive at their destinations in a much more relaxed state off the train?

Tonhalle a former planetarium now use a one of the city’s concert halls, Dusseldorf, Germany.

Dusseldorf is keen to attract visitors and the British are well up their list of desirable and welcomed tourists. Discount travel and entrance cards are available to help the visitor make the very most of their stay in the city.

Media Harbour buildings and The Rhine Tower (The Rheinturm)

I suppose the starting point would have to be the Rhineturm or Rhine Tower as from its 200 metre high vantage point you get a great feel of the city layout and the way the river Rhine meanders through the city. The old town is a where there is a concentration of shops, bars and plenty of culture.

Media Harbour buildings and The Rhine Tower (The Rheinturm) 240 metres high with viewing level at 160 metres.

You can walk to a great number of points of interest or use your discount card to jump on and off the ample public transport network if walking is not you. There are buildings in the city that date back to the 12th century but unfortunately the second world war did impact on the city building’s.

Shabby Chic restaurant at Media Harbour area Dusseldorf, Germany.

There are plenty of places where you can see rows of more modern structures that stand alongside the original ones.

Much of the medieval layout is still there in the closed in streets nestling around the central cathedral and part of the old town hall or Rathaus with its traditional market square in front of it.

A place at Christmas time where one of its main Christmas markets are held along with nearby squares all hosting their own distinctly styled advent time markets.

Christmas market round-a-bout, Dusseldorf, Germany.

As with nearly every major town and city in Germany Christmas markets are popular not only with tourists but the locals too. Making them such fun festive features in December and late November.

The city is home to many top European and worldwide businesses so you will spot a number of  well known brands and company logo’s on some of the offices around the city.

Tourist Information
http://www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de