If a trip to the Alps won't fit into your calendar, the next best thing is the Skihalle in Neuss. Open 365 days per year, the indoor facility is one of the most modern in Europe, providing skiers and snowboarders with perfect powder snow, rapid descents and curves of an ideal grade. The hall measures 300 meters by 60 meters and registers a constant temperature of minus 4° centigrade. The hall is equipped with a quad chair lift, toboggan run, children's ski slope and 'fun park' for boarders and free skiers. There is also a separate beginner track for those new to winter sports. Equipment can be rented and gastronomy is available throughout the day. Children under five enter for free. The English language website lists all the ticketing options available.
Tel: 2131-124 40
www.allrounder.de

Cyclists love the Ruhr region, and it's no surprise why. A 230-kilometer stretch of bike path runs the entire length of the Ruhr River, from Winterberg to Duisburg, offering myriad scenic sites and cultural attractions. The trail can be biked both from the East and the West, and there are adequate signs to lead you in the right direction. It's popular to bike the whole trail and camp along the way (many choose to sleep in comfortable bed-and-breakfast houses), but many also choose to bike shorter sections. There is probably no better way to experience the scenery and culture of the Ruhr, so rent or buy a bike and explore a region rich with offerings.
rrw.land-in-sicht.com

(Foto: Joachim Schumacher)

'A refuge for the health-conscious' is the motto of the popular spa Claudius Theme situated on the banks of the Rhine in Cologne's Rheinpark. The various spa facilities within the Claudius Therme are supplied with state-accredited therapeutic water which flows through 350-million-year old limestone and dolomite rock in underground chasms. Most bathers, however, couldn't care less about the chemical composition of the water. Most come for the spacious saunas, lagoon-like swimming pools and numerous relaxation/beauty treatments. The architecture is appealing too, evoking images of Roman-style spa culture. Water aerobics is also available. The spa is open daily from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Tel: 0221-98 14 40
www.claudius-therme.de

Düsseldorf is known for its fashion design industry, and nowhere is this more apparent than on the Königsallee. Düsseldorfers rarely refer to their ritzy shopping boulevard by its full name; they prefer the shortened version of Kö. All of the top international brands have boutiques along the Kö, and there are numerous department stores. After a day of shopping, you might want to stop at one of the many cafés along the Kö to relax and enjoy Kaffee und Kuchen.

 

 

The Germans have an enthusiastic obsession with football, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the Ruhr region and the hometown team of FC Schalke 04. The Gelsenkirchen football club is one of the most popular in Germany, and the club has managed to maintain the most loyal of fans despite not having won a German Championship since 1958. Another reason to see them play in Gelsenkirchen is the Veltins-Arena, widely regarded as one of the most modern sports facilities in Europe. Be sure to wear white and blue (assuming you don't already own a Schalke jersey) when you go.
www.schalke04.de

High-class entertainment, shopping, sophisticated cuisine and ambitious cultural events are all united under one roof at the CityPalais in Duisburg. Completed in 2007, the CityPalais is a major project as part of the redevelopment of Duisburg's city center. The CityPalais is home to Mercator Concert Hall, which seats 1,750 and features regular concerts by the Duisburg Philharmonic. The shopping mall features a diverse number of shops, department stores, cafes and restaurants. And finally, the WestSpiel Casino is a new 8,100-square-meter casino which features 19 roulette tables, eight blackjack tables, poker tables and 400 slot machines.

 

www.citypalais.de
www.casino-duisburg.de

This national park, located about 65 kilometers southwest of Cologne, is characterized by an abundance of wilderness ideal for hiking. Ordained a national park in 2004, the area had been a military training area for over 60 years, but is now open to the public. About 460 endangered animal and plant species inhabit the region, including red deer, woodpeckers, wild cats and eagle owls. Remember the golden rule of stepping into a wilderness area: leave no trace of your presence behind you. The 20 German park rangers charged with preserving the area care little for polluters. There are also about 140 forest guides who take groups into the wild, sharing their knowledge of plants and animals for those interested in learning more about the eco-system.
Tel: 02444-95 10 0
www.nationalpark-eifel.de