Travel Guide Düsseldorf Rhenish mixture: trade fairs, fashion, media

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1 Travel Guide Rhenish mixture: trade fairs, fashion, media Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Getting around Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Fotolia LH.com/travelguide 01/12

2 02 Quick view : Rhenish mixture trade fairs, fashion, media Elegant and affluent, is also one of s hippest and most outgoing cities. Although its Altstadt (Old Town) was almost completely destroyed in WWII, it has been lovingly restored. There are beautiful buildings and a thriving cultural scene there, and more chic places have appeared in the rejuvenated harbour district, the MedienHafen. The city is justly famous for its nightlife, and also for its pre-lent carnival, Christmas markets and high-end boutique shopping. Moreover, it s also the home of the dangerously quaffable dark amber beer, Altbier, which is generally designed to be consumed in quantity. General Information Country overview Once mockingly referred to as the land of schnitzels and leather pants, has acquired a much more modern image in recent decades. International visitors are attracted to the big cities, especially the capital, Berlin. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, in particular, the city with its many cultural and entertainment attractions has become a major tourist destination. But other German cities also know how to celebrate and enjoy life. Hamburg s annual Hafengeburtstag port anniversary festival attracts around two million visitors every year, the Rhineland is famous for its carnivals, and Munich s Oktoberfest is famous the world over. also has a variety of natural landscapes: for example, from the Wadden Sea and lowland plains of the northwest, the lakelands in the northeast of the country, numerous low mountain ranges and heathlands, to the central highlands and Alpine regions. Geography borders Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The northwest has a coastline on the North Sea, while the Baltic coastline in the northeast stretches from the Danish to the Polish border. The country is divided into 16 states (Bundesländer) and has an exceedingly varied landscape. In what was once known as West, the Rhine, Bavaria and the Black Forest stand as the three most famous features, while in the east, the country is lake-studded with undulating lowlands. River basins extend over a large percentage of the region, and some of Europe s most prominent rivers flow through the country. These include the Elbe, the Danube and the Rhine. The highest point in the country is the 2962m (9718ft) peak of Zugspitze Mountain in the Bavarian Alps. Cable cars run to the summit, which can also be climbed. LH.com/travelguide 02/12

3 03 General Information Key facts Population: 82,79 million (2017) Capital: Berlin. Language German is the official language. Regional dialects often differ markedly from standard German. Currency Euro (EUR; symbol ) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use. Public holidays The public holidays for the January 2019 December 2020 period are listed below. Note: * In catholic regions only ** Sachsen only *** Not in all Laender (Bundesländer) 2019 New Year s Day: 1 January 2019 Epiphany: 6 January 2019* Good Friday: 19 April 2019 Easter Sunday: 21 April 2019 Easter Monday: 22 April 2019 Labour Day: 1 May 2019 Ascension Day: 30 May 2019 Whit Sunday: 9 June 2019 Whit Monday: 10 June 2019 Corpus Christi: 20 June 2019* Assumption: 15 August 2019* Day of German Unity: 3 October 2019 Day of Reformation: 31 October 2019*** All Saints Day: 1 November 2019* Repentance Day: 21 November 2019** Christmas: 25 and 26 December New Year s Day: 1 January 2020 Epiphany: 6 January 2020* Good Friday: 10 April Easter Sunday: 12 April 2020 Easter Monday: 13 April 2020 Labour Day: 1 May 2020 Ascension Day: 21 May 2020 Whit Sunday: 31 June 2020 Whit Monday: 1 June 2020 LH.com/travelguide 03/12

4 04 Corpus Christi: 21 June 2020* Assumption: 15 August 2020* Day of German Unity: 3 October 2020 Day of Reformation: 31 October 2020*** All Saints Day: 1 November 2020* Repentance Day: 21 November 2020** Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2020 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Handshaking is customary in, and it is considered rude to address people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be observed. Before eating, it is normal to say guten Appetit to the other people at the table to which the correct reply is danke, gleichfalls ( Thank you, the same to you ). If you ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover s gift). In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a greeting, such as guten Tag (or grüß Gott in Bavaria) before saying what it is that they want; to leave without saying auf Wiedersehen or tschüss can also cause offence. Similarly, when making a telephone call, asking for the person you want to speak to without stating first who you are is impolite. Casual wear is widely acceptable, but more formal dress is required for some restaurants, the opera, theater, casinos and important social functions. Smoking is prohibited where notified, on public transportation and in most public buildings. Health Health Main emergency number: 112 Food & Drink There s nothing to mark out German products as particularly risky to general health (although it has a partly founded reputation for being high in fat). Tap water is safe to drink. Other Risks Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern ; vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for Tollwut signs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally has the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: Use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures. If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it s advisable to drink and carry plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are LH.com/travelguide 04/12

5 05 being worn over a long distance. Ideally, footwear should be worn in before the trip. As a counterpoint to the balminess of the summer, German winters can be fairly severe. This is generally truer the further east you travel. If you re arriving during the coldest months of the year, make sure you have adequate clothing. At any time of year, in fact, temperatures can be unpredictable even in July and August it makes sense to have a sweater (and maybe an umbrella, too) to hand. Other health problems that inexperienced travelers might reasonably encounter are the various knock-on effects of consuming too much alcohol. The risk, unsurprisingly, is particularly prevalent among those attending Munich s Oktoberfest. Be aware that some beers have ABV levels of as much as 6 or 7% and should therefore be treated with respect. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Ilge, Ulrich Friedrichstraße 94 D Tel Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code:+49 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Getting around Getting around Public Transport The efficient bus, tram and metro (U-Bahn) and S-Bahn network is operated by Rheinbahn (rheinbahn.de). Buy tickets from vending machines at tram and U-Bahn stops via the Rheinbahn website (shop.rheinbahn.de) or app (rheinbahn.de/fahrplan/appinfo). Taxis LH.com/travelguide 05/12

6 06 Pick up a taxi from a designated rank, or call a cab company such as Taxi (tel: /333 33) or Rhein Taxi (tel: / ). Tipping is customary and appreciated. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Altstadt Although the destruction of WWII meant few buildings in the Old Town were left standing, it was rebuilt using historic plans on the original foundation walls, and is as impressive now as it ever was. Altstadt Düsseldor Burgplatz Surrounded by restored buildings on three sides and the Rhine on the fourth, Burgplatz (Castle Square) is one of the most impressive squares in. Only one white tower of the actual castle remains however it s now the Museum of Navigation. Burgplatz Hofgarten At the north end of Königsallee, this large urban park is filled with trees and miniature lakes a great place to relax away from the sprawl of the city all around. Hofgartenstraße Königsallee The city s most elegant boulevard has gained a reputation for its high-end fashion outlets. Some call it s Champs-Élysées, but even that famous Paris thoroughfare doesn t have a canal running down its centre, like the Kö. Königsallee Classic Remise A must for lovers of historic vehicles, this museum is filled with hundreds of classic and vintage cars from every era. Everything is housed in a huge circular building that in a former life was a roundhouse for servicing steam locomotives. Harffstrasse 110a Opening times: Mon-Sat LH.com/travelguide 06/12

7 07 Tel: (0211) Sun remise.de Rhine Tower (Rheinturm) For great views across the city and all over the surrounding region, head for the Panorama Level of this 240m-high (787ft) tower. If you get hungry, there s a revolving restaurant and lounge bar. Stromstraße Tel: (0211) Opening times: Sun-Thu Fri-Sat Rheinufer Stretching for 10km (6 miles) along the banks of the river, the Rhine promenade path is a great place for walking, cycling and rollerblading. The less energetic can simply relax and watch the sunset with a drink on one of the many café terraces. Rheinuferpromenade MedienHafen Towards the southern end of the Rheinufer promenade, the city s former harbour has been rebooted into a trendy area of restaurants, bars and clubs. A few older buildings have been preserved, but the most striking highlight is the Neuer Zollhof, three new and oddly crumpled buildings designed by Frank Gehry. MedienHafen Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen This is one of the region s finest museums, with a remarkable collection of paintings, sculpture and statuary. An annex museum is devoted to glasswork, dating from ancient Egypt to the present day. Grabbeplatz Tel: (0211) Opening times: Tues-Sun Neanderthal Museum Just east of the city in the town of Mettmann, this multi-media museum houses relics left by the Neanderthals. It s built in the valley that gave the prehistoric people their name, on the spot where the most famous fossil was found. Talstraße 300 Opening times: LH.com/travelguide 07/12

8 Mettmann Tel: (02104) Tues-Sun Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Königsallee is on of the most famous shopping streets in, best known for its exclusive designer goods stores and fashion boutiques. Suburban districts particularly Ackerstraße in Flingern are good places to find cheaper but trendier outlets of up-and-coming young clothes designers. Most of the department store chains are clustered around the Liesegangstraße/Schadowstraße intersection. Markets There are several Christmas markets each December, but the biggest centres around the Altstadt. For more everyday needs, you ll find a regular market every day on Carlsplatz, on the southern edge of the Altstadt. Shopping Centres The Kö Center (Königsallee 28-30) is full to the brim with trendy boutiques and chic fashion label stores, as is the nearby Kö Galerie (Königsallee 60). The stilwerk arcade (Grünstraße 15) has dozens of designer goods and lifestyle accessories stores under one roof, while Schadow Arkaden (Schadowstraße 11) is the place for more down-to-earth high-street stores. Restaurants Restaurants in The restaurants in reflect the fact that this is a wealthy city.but while there are Michelin-garlanded places aplenty, it is also popular to eat in one of the many atmospheric pubs serving less sophisticated but hearty Germanic fare usually based around pork. Im Schiffchen Just north of town near the airport, this restaurant serves some of s finest cuisine, prepared by a two-michelin-starred chef. Kaiserswerther Markt Price: Expensive Nagaya Michelin-starred Japanese cuisine fused with European hints, served in a fashionably minimalist restaurant. Klosterstraße Price: Expensive Brauerei zum Schiffchen LH.com/travelguide 08/12

9 09 Characterful old brewpub serving great-value huge portions of regional dishes. Hafenstraße Price: Cheap Vapiano Trendy self-service Italian with pizzas and pastas cooked freshly to order. Martin-Luther-Platz Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in DJs play regularly in the clubs around Königsallee. But the Altstadt is best known as the longest bar in the world. There are around 250 pubs, most serving the city s proud creation, Altbier.If you empty your glass it will be refilled automatically. Uerige The Altstadt s most famous brewpub, where beer is poured direct from oak barrels. Berger Strasse Im Füchschen Another popular brewpub with a large terrace and atmosphere in spades. Ratinger Straße Checker s Club One of the city s better dance clubs, cranking up the music into the early hours. Königsallee Tonhalle This impressive classical concert hall was originally constructed in 1926 as a planetarium. Ehrenhof LH.com/travelguide 09/12

10 10 M168 s highest cocktail and lounge bar is 168m (551ft) up, inside the Rhine Tower. Stromstraße Tel.: Calendar of events Calendar of events Boot The International Boat Show at the Exhibition Centre is one of the biggest boat shows in the world January Venue: Messe ( Exhibition Centre) Karneval One of the three biggest Carnival celebrations in, with spectacular processions and parties February Venue: Throughout the city er Jazz Rally Held over a long weekend, with free concerts in the Altstadt from local and international jazz and blues bands May Venue: Throughout the city Japan-Tag (Japan Day) has the highest number of Japanese residents (some 11,000) in Europe and their day of celebrations ends with a fantastic firework display on the Rhine - book a dinner cruise if possible. 26 May Venue: Banks of the Rhine Kirmes (Fun Fair) Revelries on the Rhine meadows opposite the Altstadt last nine days with 350 LH.com/travelguide 10/12

11 11 attractions, rides and stalls pulling in over four million visitors every summer July 2018 rheinkirmes-duesseldorf.de/biggest-funfair-on... Venue: Rhine meadows, opposite the Altstadt Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) During Advent, around 300 stalls selling Christmas arts and crafts, tree decorations, cinnamon cakes, gingerbread, hot chocolate, mulled red wine and other goodies fill four of the city's squares and two whole streets in. 23 November - 23 December Venue: Throughout the city Hotels Hotels in s hotel trade is focused squarely on the business trade. Prices can rise alarmingly during the bigger trade fairs as rooms always sell out.on the flip side, prices drop in summer and at weekends when there can be real bargains waiting to be snapped up. Steigenberger Parkhotel Exclusive luxury hotel with large high-ceilinged rooms with modern fittings. Königsallee 1a Category: Expensive Breidenbacher Hof A Capella Hotel Built in 2008, this new luxury hotel offers every amenity and comfort you need. Königsallee Category: Expensive Hotel Nikko Chic hotel offering soundproofed rooms to help tired business travellers unwind. Immermannstraße Category: Moderate Carat Altstadt Bright and modern hotel with large rooms close to the Old Town. Benratherstraße 7a Category: Moderate LH.com/travelguide 11/12

12 Friends Hotel Great-value design hotel offering affordable comforts and a friendly welcome. Worringer Straße Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 12/12