A Date in Dusseldorf

Leaving the laid back nature of Holland behind us, we make forth for the structure and efficiency of Germany finding ourselves 2.5 hours later in Düsseldorf. A precursor stopover prior to taking the DBAutozug (German’s Car Train network) to Salzburg which puts us closer to the starting point of the Eastern European leg our tour.

Düsseldorf has the unusual accolade of being home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. Mainly due to significant numbers of Japanese corporations electing Düsseldorf as the base for its European headquarters and the fact that are many parallels between the way Germans and Japanese do business, make it a favourable choice.

Having enjoyed the experience of Japanese cuisine, the Na Ni Wa noodle bar opposite our hotel is a welcome addition to our surroundings. The Ibis-style City-Apt Hotel is our bed down for the night but the touch of German authenticity and free-wifi hotspot (naturally!) instantly give it brownie
points over those usual hotel-chain money-grabbing suspects.

We have the pleasure of arriving in Düsseldorf on the eve of a mini-heat wave which looks set to follow us around Europe (impeccable timing!).

After a spur of the moment night’s clubbing, we awake to bell tolls, sunny skies and the first day of Düsseldorf’s annual fun fair, the largest along the banks of the Rhine.

A clean, well-cared for city, again serviced by trams but minus the cyclists, Düsseldorf’s centre is less enticing going for function rather than form, however its waterfront zone more than makes up for it. The perfect place, it seems everyone converges here on a Sunday to eat, drink, saunter, cycle, river cruise and generally chill out. The left bank of the Rhine is home to Germany‘s first public golf course which currently shares its space alongside the truly impressive temporary fairground.

The newly badged Media Harbour (Medienhafen) is an impressive London Docklands style regeneration to blend a desirable residential district with modern business premises. The former mills and factories of the old Rhine harbour have been painstakingly converted since 2004 into high quality luxury apartments, whilst the second line business park is apparently home to nearly 500 corporations from the media and entertainment sectors. Notably, Vodafone has chosen to locate its German headquarters here.

Today, this stunning waterfront area is a destination for architectural tourism with Frank O. Gehry’s Leaning Towers being the principal draw.

The cobbled backstreets offer a historical backdrop and hark back to the charm of Düsseldorf’s bygone times. In keeping with the look and feel of the district, apartment buildings are sensitively restored to complete the overall appearance of the area.

At 38 metres above sea level, Düsseldorf is probably not your first German city of choice to visit but what it does, it does well! The waterfront area is probably its best feature, families, couples and individuals come here to meander their way along the front in their chosen mode of transport, perfect for roller-blading and newbie cyclists , the expansive boulevard walkway gives everyone plenty of room. Under the shade of the tree-lined promenade, the sun glistens off the bonnets of an impromptu morris minor meet.

After an hour cruising the Rhine and having been enlightened as to the wonders of Düsseldorf and its surrounds, we make a lunch pit-stop in one of the endless line of waterfront cafes which offer an eclectic mix of German specialities from snitchels to seafood platters.

We walk off our excesses in the nearby Hofgarten, followed by the discovery of Malkastenpark, which I can only liken to the small central gardens you find in central London’s leafier confines, providing a green space and pleasant outlook to surrounding residences.

Along with Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich, Dusseldorf takes the crown of being one of the four major markets for office property. Residential property here already now commands a premium with surrounding cities such as Essen and Duisborg enjoying the ripple effect. A suburban city, Düsseldorf enjoys the right blend of international commerce, good local neighbourhood facilities and as the hub of the DBAutozug network further into Europe, from here you can put your car on the train to as far as Rijeka at the top the Croatian coast, making it the perfect European traveller’s pitstop.

• Tweet