Düsseldorf, the city of fashion and centre of the advertising industry, is situated on the banks of the river Rhine. Its wonderfully elegant shopping boulevard Königsallee, fondly called Kö by the locals, has made a name for itself with its trend-setting boutiques of various leading designers far beyond its own boundaries. Its river port has been developed in recent years into what is now known as the Media Harbour. The emblematic buildings by Frank O. Gehry give character to the new riverfront walk that leads to the old city centre. Delightful views across the river of Düsseldorf’s left bank can be enjoyed on the way. The old city centre - the “longest pub crawl in the world” - caters for all tastes. In summer, most pubs and restaurants put tables on the pavement and people move outdoors.



The Bergisches Land is near at hand. It is named after the Count of Berg and features an 18,000-hectare nature reserve. The region’s claim to fame is the Neandertal (Neander valley) where the fossilised remains of a skeleton were discovered in 1856 of a human forefather who had lived sometime between 200,000 and 400,000 B.C. This skeleton was named after the site where it was found “neanderthal man” or to be more precise “homo sapiens neandertalensis”. Typical of the region are extensive woodlands, colourful fruit tree meadows and picturesque villages. Their houses feature slate-covered walls and timber frames. The Bergisches Land is a popular recreation area for those living in the nearby large cities.