K20 (the 'k' stands for Kunstsammlung, or 'art collection') offers an exquisite collection of modern art from the 20th Century. The museum and its younger sister museum, K21, have long enjoyed a much-deserved respect and admiration in the international world of museums. K20 is focused on Western European and American modern art, featuring excellent individual works from Pablo Picasso to Joseph Beuys, and a large number of Surrealist works. The permanent collection includes some 100 works by Paul Klee, and there is a major collection of drawings and works in India ink by Julius Bissier. From 1945 onwards the essential focus of the collection shifts towards American art. Open from Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Tel: 0211-8381 130 (Grabbeplatz 5)
www.kunstsammlung.de

With the opening of K21 in the Ständehaus in 2002, the city of Düsseldorf took a great stride to becoming a center point of modern art in Europe. K21 features international art beginning in the 1980's and extending to the present (hence K21). The first works of contemporary art were acquired during the foundation and opening phase of the new building. These essentially include photographic works by Andreas Gursky, Candida Höfer, Thomas Ruff and Thomas Struth. In July 2004 the young museum was considerably enlarged with the acquisition of the Ackerman Collection. Many pieces on display show a reawakened interest in figuration, narrative, metaphor and a fascination with powerful images. Check the museum's website for current exhibitions. Open from Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Tel:0211-83 81 600 (Ständehausstraße 1)
www.kunstsammlung.de

This privately operated park offers a wealth of architectural splendor, horticultural beauty and historical insight. The chief attraction is the three-wing maison de plaisance and its surrounding gardens constructed for the Palatine Elector Carl Theodor in 1770. The restored palace garden behind the Orangery and the remaining part of the old castle and former moat create an impressive image of the unification of architecture and nature characteristic of 18th Century palace design. Today the palace is home to three museums: the east wing houses the Museum for European Garden Art, which chronologically documents what its name implies, the central building is the Corps de Logis, which depicts 18th Century regional cultural history, and the west wing showcases the fauna and flora of the Rhine River in the Museum of Natural History. Entrance fees start at 3.50 euros and range up to 10.50 euros for a combined admittance to all parts of the facility. Children and youths under 18 years of age enter for free.
Tel: 0211-89 97 14 0
www.schloss-benrath.de/en

The most well-known and popular visitor attraction in Cologne is the famous Cathedral. It is one of Germany's best known architectural monuments, and its twin towers can be seen from just about everywhere in the city. Legend has it that the bones of the Three Kings are held in a golden casket in the cathedral. Carbon dating has so far not been able to prove the legend wrong – so if you're feeling spiritual, it's worth taking a look. If you can handle climbing the 509 steps, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking vista across the city. English tours are offered from Monday to Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Please be respectful of the fact that the Cathedral is first and foremost a place of worship for the Catholic citizenry of the city. Sightseeing is not allowed during mass.
Tel: 0221-179 40 100
www.koelner-dom.de

Thousands of people once worked in these facilities when coal and steel were the lifeblood of the Ruhr region. When the factories were closed in the 1980s, Essen was faced with a dilemma about the future of this modern-day industrial cathedral. What has emerged is a prime example of how modern societies can salvage an industrial wasteland from a bygone era. The Zollverein complex has now been declared an UNESCO World Heritage site for its Bauhaus-style architecture. The technological structures have been transformed into a cultural center with performance venues, design centers, office space, restaurants and museum exhibits. Enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel through the smelters of the coking plant or take a swim in shipping containers. Winter visitors can even ice skate around the coking plant. The Zollverein will also be a centerpiece of the 2010 European Capital Culture celebrations. The visitor's center is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April through October and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November through March. Tel: 0201-830 36 36
www.zollverein.de

With a dizzying height of 117 meters, it is clear why the Oberhausen Gasometer is yet another symbol of the Ruhr region's successful transformation. Where industrial complexes once dominated, there now exists a "green RuhrgeBeat", and the Gasometer is prime example of finding new and creative uses for industrial monuments. Built in 1929 as a storage facility for the gases from the blast furnaces of Oberhausen's steelworks, the Gasometer today is home to one of Europe's most avant-garde exhibition spaces. The unbelievable ambience of this giant polygonal structure forms an unforgettable backdrop for business presentations, conventions, concerts, variety shows and art exhibitions, as well as for public readings, "cinema-in-the-round" and theatrical performances. Check out the website for the latest offerings.
Tel: 0208-850 37 30
www.gasometer.de

Situated on the outskirts of Essen, the Villa Hügel is the former residence of the industrial tycoon Alfried Krupp and his family. Built between 1870 and 1873, the mansion was used by three generations of the family as a home and social venue. Emperors and kings, businessmen from all corners of the globe, politicians and heads of state all visited the Villa Hügel. With 269 rooms and 28 hectares of greenery overlooking Lake Baldeney, the Villa is far more than merely the residence of a wealthy German industrialist – it is a symbol of the wealth generated by the German steel and armament industries. In the post-war period, Villa Hügel has been the scene of major international art exhibitions. Visitors can also view the historical rooms in the main building, see an exhibition on the history of the Krupp family, and relax in the surrounding park.
Tel: 0201-616 290
www.villahuegel.de

Düsseldorf is home to its very own monument of Japanese horticultural art, a peaceful and inviting garden which has been a fixture in the Düsseldorf community since 1975. The Japanese garden was a gift from the Japanese expatriates of Düsseldorf in return for the kindness and hospitality visited upon them by local citizens. The park consists of two water cascades, a small lake and a 13-stage pagoda, offering a harmonious respite from the bustle of city life. The garden is located in Düsseldorf's Nordpark (near the Trade Fair Center) on Kaiserswerther Straße.

 

Hover through the Wupper Valley in Germany's only suspended monorail, the 100-year-old Schwebebahn in Wuppertal. The track is 13.3 kilometers long, and there are several different ticketing options. A day ticket, which allows unlimited travel within a 24-hour period, costs about five euros. There is also a special trip on the Kaiserwagen, or 'Kings coach', which stretches from Vohwinkel to Oberbarmen and lasts about 90 minutes. Tickets are 16 euros for adults and 10 euros for children. The monorail is reachable with the A3 in the direction of Oberhausen, then the A46 to Wuppertal. Exit at Elberfeld and look for signs to the Wuppertal-Elberfeld station.
Tel: 0202-194 33
www.schwebebahn-wtal.de