Dusseldorf: Where Old Meets New

Convenient to travel to from the UK, Dusseldorf is less than an hour in the air from many airports. The city itself is an easy 10 – 20 minute ride by bus, cab or train from the city’s airport, so it really is the ideal destination for a short break as the travelling time is minimal.Low cost airlines such as Jet2 make the flights affordable, and great value hotel deals can be found at www.D3ALS.co.uk - for Dusseldorf and many more exciting short break destinations.The OldThe historic old town area, the Aldstadt, is a great place to wander and simply enjoy getting lost along the atmospheric cobbled streets. However, a guide book from the tourist office is a good idea in order to understand and appreciate more of the area’s rich history.Even better, why not take a guided tour run by the Dusseldorf Tourism Board? As part of a group, or as an individual, you can be guided around the area’s churches, pubs and monuments and learn about the quirky characters that are part of the story of the Aldstadt.Of course, Germany is famous for its beer, and the Alt Bier (old beer) is Dusseldorf’s specialty. Sample a glass of the dark stuff at the traditional, and very beautiful, brewery house, Brauerei Uerige, at Berger Strase 1, and see the traditional copper brewing vats.The historic Zum Schlussel at 41-47 Bolkersrabe is another wonderful place to sample the alt bier, as well as traditional German fayre such as knuckle of pork, sauerkraut and mash.One tip to remember when in traditional Dusseldorf pubs is to cover your beer glass with a beer mat when you’ve had enough – otherwise your waiter will simply keep the beers coming and you could end up spending far longer that you’d planned enjoying this admittedly important part of the city’s culture.The Aldstadt is nicknamed the ‘longest bar in the world’ and is a great place to enjoy on an evening. Drinkers sit al fresco on the cobbles at all times of year, warming themselves up with the occasional shot of Killepitsch, which is made in the city and packs a herby, 40 per cent proof punch.Of course, the Old Town isn’t all beer and breweries. It’s also crammed with historical and cultural gems such as the Heinrich Heine House, St Lambertus Church (with its famous twisted spire) and Town Hall square.The NewIn contrast to the winding streets and alleyways of the Aldstadt, Dusseldorfs newly regenerated MediaHarbour area boasts wide open spaces, bright buildings and an airy, waterside vibe.In order to make a real feature of the city’s harbour, a group of individual architects were commissioned to each design a building to sit Rhineside, which reflected to aquatic nature of the location.Among the architectural gems, which are each uniquely designed yet work in perfect harmony with each other and the harbour setting, are three works by famous Canadian architect Frank Gehry. Renowned for his unusual shapes, Gehry manages to design buildings which look simultaneously modern and fantastical.As well as the Gehry works, architecture fans will find a range of other interesting pieces at the MediaHarbour, including a floating house, converted brewery buildings and the colourful Colorium skyscraper.The centrepiece of this mesmerising modern complex is the Rheinturm observatory which stretches 240.5 metres skywards. This striking structure was originally designed as a telecoms tower, but by the time the building was complete arial satellites had rendered it redundant. Instead, it was put to use as an observatory and has since become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions due to the amazing views that it offers down onto the harbour and across the whole of Dusseldorf.Old meets new seems to be a theme which runs effortlessly through the city. The antique stores of the Aldstadt meet the shiny designer boutiques of the famous Konigsallee, and the domed contemporary art gallery the K21 meets the classical K20. Whether you’re in the mood to look to the past or the future, there’s a Dusseldorf experience to suit.A wonderful mixture of new and old, Dusseldorf is a diverse destination with much to offer for a weekend break. Keep an eye out for amazing hotel deals at www.D3ALS.co.uk and enjoy getting to know this city of art, architecture, culture and history. Oh, and beer!