Discussion
Thinking of a week in Dusseldorf (as a bit of a base to explore from) 2nd week of September.
I don't really want to fly at the moment, so considering boating from Harwich to the Hoek, then drive to Dusseldorf. But the thought of driving in a major city and dealing with trams and stuff is frankly terrifying! (I have very limited driving experience in Europe).
Obvious one is airport I guess. Just wondering if anyone had any other experience or thoughts.
Thanks.
I don't really want to fly at the moment, so considering boating from Harwich to the Hoek, then drive to Dusseldorf. But the thought of driving in a major city and dealing with trams and stuff is frankly terrifying! (I have very limited driving experience in Europe).
Obvious one is airport I guess. Just wondering if anyone had any other experience or thoughts.
Thanks.
Bluemondy said:
Thinking of a week in Dusseldorf (as a bit of a base to explore from) 2nd week of September.
I don't really want to fly at the moment, so considering boating from Harwich to the Hoek, then drive to Dusseldorf. But the thought of driving in a major city and dealing with trams and stuff is frankly terrifying! (I have very limited driving experience in Europe).
Obvious one is airport I guess. Just wondering if anyone had any other experience or thoughts.
Thanks.
Another option: Eurostar London - Bruxelles (2h) & Thalys Bruxelles - Düsseldorf (2h20)I don't really want to fly at the moment, so considering boating from Harwich to the Hoek, then drive to Dusseldorf. But the thought of driving in a major city and dealing with trams and stuff is frankly terrifying! (I have very limited driving experience in Europe).
Obvious one is airport I guess. Just wondering if anyone had any other experience or thoughts.
Thanks.
Düsseldorf is nice (I'll be there tomorrow as it happens) and a good base to explore from with good transit links.
Within the city: Königsallee is the big expensive shopping street (think Bond Street), and close to most of the other shopping.
Altstadt is the bustling social area where most of the decent bars and restaurants are within easy reach, have a try at Ürige or Schumacher brauhauses with lots of outside seating, the altbeir is good, and deceptive as it comes in 0.25ml glasses. While you're there have some Düsseldorf Caviar - mettbrotchen which is raw spiced pork mince (really) with pepper and onions on a crusty bread roll, delicious.
Close to Altstadt is the river Rhine, with lots of nice bars and restaurants, some with good seafood.
A short walk away is Media park, with more cool restaurants and bars, marked by the TV tower which has the largest digital clock in Europe!
Further afield you can go for a day trip on the river, or take a train to Cologne (about half an hour) and see the picturesque old town and the huge cathedral (this is where I live).
Another trip worth taking is to Zons which is a lovely mediaeval village on the river. and there are also countless castles, public parks etc nearby.
Plus an hour and a half away is a certain Nürburgring...
Don't be intimidated by the driving. With a satnav and your eyes open it's no worse than any small English city, certainly not as intimidating as London. The road layout is quite logical and there's plenty of parking.
Enjoy it!
Within the city: Königsallee is the big expensive shopping street (think Bond Street), and close to most of the other shopping.
Altstadt is the bustling social area where most of the decent bars and restaurants are within easy reach, have a try at Ürige or Schumacher brauhauses with lots of outside seating, the altbeir is good, and deceptive as it comes in 0.25ml glasses. While you're there have some Düsseldorf Caviar - mettbrotchen which is raw spiced pork mince (really) with pepper and onions on a crusty bread roll, delicious.
Close to Altstadt is the river Rhine, with lots of nice bars and restaurants, some with good seafood.
A short walk away is Media park, with more cool restaurants and bars, marked by the TV tower which has the largest digital clock in Europe!
Further afield you can go for a day trip on the river, or take a train to Cologne (about half an hour) and see the picturesque old town and the huge cathedral (this is where I live).
Another trip worth taking is to Zons which is a lovely mediaeval village on the river. and there are also countless castles, public parks etc nearby.
Plus an hour and a half away is a certain Nürburgring...
Don't be intimidated by the driving. With a satnav and your eyes open it's no worse than any small English city, certainly not as intimidating as London. The road layout is quite logical and there's plenty of parking.
Enjoy it!
I used to holiday a lot in this part of Germany.
If you're looking for places to visit, take the train that follows the Rhine south, (allows you to sample the local brews), Königswinter is nice, the bridge at Remagen is worth a visit, Linz am Rhein is especially good, very olde worlde, great food and drink to be had, I've stayed there many times!
Further afield, Heidelberg is well worth a visit!
If you're looking for places to visit, take the train that follows the Rhine south, (allows you to sample the local brews), Königswinter is nice, the bridge at Remagen is worth a visit, Linz am Rhein is especially good, very olde worlde, great food and drink to be had, I've stayed there many times!
Further afield, Heidelberg is well worth a visit!
My experience here, and in several places in Germany, is that they can do hospitality very well.
I flew into Dusseldorf, picked up a bus shuttle that took me halfway to my hotel out towards Essen (I was going to Techno Classica), to this little town I cannot remember the name of. I hadn't planned everything exactly, so went in to the local police station. They were really helpful, pointing out the right bus stop for my final destination and telling me they went hourly, leaving 45 mins to wait.
Into a local bar, I asked for a local beer; "Ja, Frankenheimer!" and very good it was too.
Pleasant memories of good people. The show was a belter as well.
I flew into Dusseldorf, picked up a bus shuttle that took me halfway to my hotel out towards Essen (I was going to Techno Classica), to this little town I cannot remember the name of. I hadn't planned everything exactly, so went in to the local police station. They were really helpful, pointing out the right bus stop for my final destination and telling me they went hourly, leaving 45 mins to wait.
Into a local bar, I asked for a local beer; "Ja, Frankenheimer!" and very good it was too.
Pleasant memories of good people. The show was a belter as well.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff