West Germany: Dortmund, Düsseldorf & Cologne

Dortmund is very proud of the industrial heritage that took the city to where it is today. Former steelworks, coal mines and breweries have been regenerated to help tell this story whilst also offering modern attractions for today’s visitors to enjoy. The shining example of this is the interesting ZecheZollern colliery on the outskirts of town. Don’t worry, though, many breweries also still stand, producing a range of tipples for Dortmund and international drinkers.

Many German cities beckon travellers with traditional breweries and unique beers, but no other can lay claim to being ‘the longest bar in the world’. That is the moniker given to Düsseldorf’s Old Town, where modern wine bars sit side by side with dimly lit pubs in which you can try the local altbier. Don’t overdo it, though, or you may struggle to appreciate the rest of the city’s beauty in the form of quirky design features (both above and below ground) and fantastic art galleries.

Visitors arrive in Cologne every year to see the magnificent Gothic cathedral in all its glory, but they stay to discover the other cultural wonders to be found in this fantastic German city. An eclectic mix of museums offer insight into Roman artefacts, chocolate and abstract art, whilst greener pastures further north give you somewhere (the expansive Rheinpark) to stretch your legs or explore the fantastic zoo. A cable car connects the two.

Enhance your Experience

• Upgrade flights to Business Class or alternatively take the Eurostar to make it a no-fly holiday

• Upgrade your hotel room

• Upgrade your rail journeys to First Class