In the Neander Valley (the Neanderhtal) in the summer of 1856 quarrymen discovered the fossilized remains of a skeleton…and the rest is history. Today the Neanderthal Museum can be found on this legendary site. The museum provides a unique presentation about pre-historic 'man' by carefully documenting the story of human evolution. The museum, discovery site, Stone Age workshop, "Human Traces" sculptured path, and the animal park create a varied and dynamic experience. Several different forms of media engage visitors, including texts, audio, video and interactive computers. Textual guides are available in most major languages. The museum café offers guests an opportunity to relax and ponder the many facets of the human condition.
Tel: 02104-97 97 97
www.neanderthal.de

Cologne's Museum Ludwig is devoted to modern art from the beginning of the 20th Century to the present. It houses the largest collection of pop art outside the USA. Roy Lichtenstein's "Maybe", Andy Warhol's "Brillo Boxes", and George Segal's "Restaurant Window" can all be found here. In addition, the Ludwig family bequeathed a considerable collection of Russian avant-garde works from the period 1906 to 1930 and a collection of several hundred works by Pablo Picasso. The Expressionists are outstandingly represented in the collection of the Cologne advocate Joseph Haubrich. Under the directorship of Kasper König the museum continues the collect contemporary art systematically. There's also a great café and museum shop.
Tel: 0221-221 26 165
www.museenkoeln.de

The museum's collection extends from prehistoric times to the early Middle Ages and features the largest collection of Roman glass vessels worldwide, as well as a unique collection of Roman early-mediaeval jewelry. The museum's best known exhibits are the Roman mosaic with scenes from the world of Dionysos and the reconstructed tomb of the legendary Poblicius. Fragments of Roman architecture, inscriptions, ceramics and a great deal more provide visitors with an insight into the urban development of Roman Cologne. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Tel: 0221-221 22 304
www.museenkoeln.de

Military buffs and World War II enthusiasts will enjoy a trip to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein (Holland), which brings together tanks and other military equipment, as well as an indoor display of battles depicting the famous Operation Market Garden. Anyone familiar with the classic 1977 film "A Bridge Too Far" will have a working knowledge of the events the museum presents. Located in the small city of Oosterbeek, northwest of historic Arnhem, the museum is connected to the Arnhem main railway station by a direct train. The museum is open year-round with reduced hours during the winter months.
Tel: +31 26 333 7710
www.airbornemuseum.org

As soon as you step foot in this museum you are greeted by the pleasant fragrance of chocolate and you know you have come to the right place. The Chocolate Museum tells the story of chocolate from its use by ancient South American cultures and its subsequent discovery by Europeans all the way to its development and status as an object of cult obsession in the modern world. There is a three-meter-high chocolate fountain with its 200 kilograms of oozing confectionary bliss, as well as a mini production area where one can see first-hand the process of turning cocoa beans into edible enjoyment. And of course there are free samples. Before you leave, be sure to visit the museum shop to buy a chocolate "Dom".
Tel: 0221-931 88 80
www.schokoladenmuseum.de

No stay in Bonn is complete without a visit to the Beethoven Haus to pay respects to the great man. Located in Bonn's city-center, the highly-detailed and well-organized museum is a haven for classical music fans. Manuscripts, letters, pictures, musical instruments, mementos and everyday items used by Beethoven form the core of the collection. In the early years following the founding of the Beethoven Haus Society in 1889, important items such as Beethoven's last pianoforte and the original manuscripts of the "Moonlight Sonata" and the "Pastoral" Symphony were acquired. Today, the museum houses the largest and most diverse Beethoven collection in the world. Also, the Beethoven Haus has about three temporary exhibitions a year, often in cooperation with other museums and collections.
Tel: 0228-81 75 0
www.beethoven-haus-bonn.de

The German Mining Museum in Bochum opens its doors to about 400,000 visitors each year, making it one of the most popular museum destinations in Germany. Its exhibitions offer an insightful and comprehensive overview of nearly everything relating to mining and metallurgy. Highlights include the 50-meter-high tower perched above the main entrance, which has become a symbol for the city of Bochum. The summit of this double-strut frame offers an incredible view of the city. In 20 different rooms, the museum exhibits depict the development of mining in its geological, economic, cultural und social contexts. Also of key note is the replica mine, which takes visitors 20 meters below ground to witness first hand, life inside a mine. Closed Mondays.
Tel: 0234-58 77 0
www.bergbaumuseum.de

First opened in 1902, the 'museum kunst palast' is a mainstay of the Düsseldorf art scene. The museum has undergone several renovations in its long history, but the end result is a museum filled with unconventional vigor. The permanent collections juxtapose old and new works in fascinating ways, lending a fresh look at the broad spectrum of art and its various forms. Recent exhibitions have included everything from French and Russian masterpieces to Jörg Immendorf's drawings. The kunst palast also houses the Glass Museum Hentrich – a quasi museum within a museum – which contains the most comprehensive glass collection in Europe. The Glass Museum is closed on Mondays, but the other collections and temporary exhibitions are open seven days a week.
Tel: 0211-899 24 60
www.museum-kunst-palast.de