Mistletoe and Rhine

The symbol of Düsseldorf is the Radschläger -- a human figure executing a joyful cartwheel -- which embodies its joie de vivre. Residents put its annual Carnival on a par with the famous festivities in New Orleans and say Düsseldorf's main shopping street, Königsallee, gives the Champs-Elysees a run for its money. (Oil-rich Arabs and Russian oligarchs agree, and they jet in for weekend shopping sprees to prove it.) Düsseldorfers are also immensely proud of their MedienHafen (harbour district), an area of the docks transformed into a masterpiece of modern architecture. Dominated by architect Frank Gehry's gorgeously designed Gaudi-esque Neue Zollhof, the MedienHafen also is home to the 768-foot-high Rheinturm (Rhein Tower), which offers panoramic views across the city. Düsseldorf is a delightful mix of ancient and modern, with urban trendiness and back-to-nature tranquillity. Reach the end of Konigsallee, for example, and you'll find yourself in the Hofgarten, Düsseldorf's version of New York's Central Park. The Hofgarten is home to the fabulous Schloss Jägerhof Palace, a magnificent reproduction of 18th century Rococo architecture. You can also enjoy a leafy stroll -- and lovely views of the rolling Rhine -- in the Rheinpark, a glorious tree- and café-lined promenade area. Düsseldorf's perfectly formed Aldstadt (Old Town) might only cover one square kilometre, but it packs a heck of a lot into its cobbled alleys, including offbeat jewellery and craft shops,, high-spired churches and numerous bars (260-plus at last count). The city is rapidly becoming one of Europe's top destinations for weekend and short breaks. You'll be hard-pressed to decide how to spend your time. My tip for river cruise visitors: Keep it simple and don't try to do too much; you can always come back for more.

Cologne, the Rhineland's largest city and Germany's fourth-largest, dates back to 38 B.C., when the Romans first started to settle in the area. By 50 A.D., "Colonia" was a major city, which would later become one of the most important trade and production centres in the Roman Empire. Significant Roman ruins can still be found in Cologne today, especially near the city's wharf area, in addition to 12 Romanesque churches.

Cologne's location on the river Rhine placed it at the intersection of the major trade routes between east and west, which was the basis for its continued growth through the Middle Ages. Construction of the famous Kölner Dom, the city's Gothic cathedral, started in 1248, consolidating its position as a place of great religious significance, as well as a trade hub (despite the fact that work stopped on the cathedral in 1473, leaving it unfinished until the 19th century).

Today, Cologne is the cultural heart of the Rhineland, with a vibrant arts scene, celebrated opera house, more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. The city has spread to both sides of the Rhine River, with the cathedral and Altstadt (Old Town) both located on the left bank. The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and became a poignant symbol of the city's survival of the Allied aerial bombing during World War II. While some 95 percent of the city centre was destroyed during the war, much of its medieval heart and churches were rebuilt according to original plans. Because of this, Cologne retains an authentic feel, with attractive open squares, pretty beer gardens and cosy wine taverns lining narrow, cobbled streets and the attractive riverfront.

Cologne is celebrated for its locally brewed beer, called Kölsch, with about 30 traditional brewing houses creating their own versions and selling them on-site in lively beer gardens and cellars. (Kölsch is also the name for the local dialect, resulting in the joke that Kölsch is the only language one can drink.) Considerable quantities of Kölsch are consumed each November, when carnival season transforms the city into one of Europe's biggest street festivals, with the numerous bars and pubs on Neumarkt Square, Heumarkt and Zülpicher Strasse packed with people in costumes, dancing and drinking.

Whether you visit Cologne during the summer to make the most of the beer gardens and pretty landscaped riverbanks or during winter for the raucous Carnival or magical Christmas markets, you'll discover an intriguing, cosmopolitan city with bags of character. Furthermore, Cologne has a compact heart, which is easily navigated on foot, making it the perfect destination to explore from a cruise ship.

Frankfurt am Main ("Frankfurt on the Main," the city's full name) is Germany's banking and financial powerhouse. It's home to banks from around the world, as well as the European Central Bank. Many are housed in the sleek, modern skyscrapers that define Frankfurt's skyline. (These buildings have even spawned nicknames for the city, including "Main-hattan" and "Bankfurt.") As an international business centre, Frankfurt attracts expats from around the world, so it's a very cosmopolitan place. It ranks as Germany's fifth-largest city, with a population of 717,000. Behind the modern gloss, Frankfurt's roots run deep. Charlemagne is celebrated as the city's founder, although the ancient Romans were here, too. Unfortunately, much of the city was destroyed in World War II, by fires that resulted from Allied bombing. Some historic buildings and monuments have been rebuilt or restored, but most of Frankfurt's old half-timbered houses were lost. The city is still in the process of restoring some districts with a mix of modern and old-style architecture. Frankfurt straddles the Main (pronounced "mine") River, with the Old Town and performing arts venues located on the north side, and many museums lining the south bank. Museum buffs are definitely in for a treat, and can enjoy several art museums, plus others focused on history, film, architecture, Jewish culture, porcelain, applied arts, archaeology and more. You'll also find parks and botanical gardens, a wide variety of restaurants, and plenty of shopping. If you've flown to Europe much, you've no doubt passed through Frankfurt's airport -- one of the busiest in the world. Its huge train station is also a major European hub, with more than 350,000 passengers using it every day. As a transportation centre, Frankfurt provides easy access to and from the rest of Germany and beyond.

The symbol of Düsseldorf is the Radschläger -- a human figure executing a joyful cartwheel -- which embodies its joie de vivre. Residents put its annual Carnival on a par with the famous festivities in New Orleans and say Düsseldorf's main shopping street, Königsallee, gives the Champs-Elysees a run for its money. (Oil-rich Arabs and Russian oligarchs agree, and they jet in for weekend shopping sprees to prove it.) Düsseldorfers are also immensely proud of their MedienHafen (harbour district), an area of the docks transformed into a masterpiece of modern architecture. Dominated by architect Frank Gehry's gorgeously designed Gaudi-esque Neue Zollhof, the MedienHafen also is home to the 768-foot-high Rheinturm (Rhein Tower), which offers panoramic views across the city. Düsseldorf is a delightful mix of ancient and modern, with urban trendiness and back-to-nature tranquillity. Reach the end of Konigsallee, for example, and you'll find yourself in the Hofgarten, Düsseldorf's version of New York's Central Park. The Hofgarten is home to the fabulous Schloss Jägerhof Palace, a magnificent reproduction of 18th century Rococo architecture. You can also enjoy a leafy stroll -- and lovely views of the rolling Rhine -- in the Rheinpark, a glorious tree- and café-lined promenade area. Düsseldorf's perfectly formed Aldstadt (Old Town) might only cover one square kilometre, but it packs a heck of a lot into its cobbled alleys, including offbeat jewellery and craft shops,, high-spired churches and numerous bars (260-plus at last count). The city is rapidly becoming one of Europe's top destinations for weekend and short breaks. You'll be hard-pressed to decide how to spend your time. My tip for river cruise visitors: Keep it simple and don't try to do too much; you can always come back for more.

The symbol of Düsseldorf is the Radschläger -- a human figure executing a joyful cartwheel -- which embodies its joie de vivre. Residents put its annual Carnival on a par with the famous festivities in New Orleans and say Düsseldorf's main shopping street, Königsallee, gives the Champs-Elysees a run for its money. (Oil-rich Arabs and Russian oligarchs agree, and they jet in for weekend shopping sprees to prove it.) Düsseldorfers are also immensely proud of their MedienHafen (harbour district), an area of the docks transformed into a masterpiece of modern architecture. Dominated by architect Frank Gehry's gorgeously designed Gaudi-esque Neue Zollhof, the MedienHafen also is home to the 768-foot-high Rheinturm (Rhein Tower), which offers panoramic views across the city. Düsseldorf is a delightful mix of ancient and modern, with urban trendiness and back-to-nature tranquillity. Reach the end of Konigsallee, for example, and you'll find yourself in the Hofgarten, Düsseldorf's version of New York's Central Park. The Hofgarten is home to the fabulous Schloss Jägerhof Palace, a magnificent reproduction of 18th century Rococo architecture. You can also enjoy a leafy stroll -- and lovely views of the rolling Rhine -- in the Rheinpark, a glorious tree- and café-lined promenade area. Düsseldorf's perfectly formed Aldstadt (Old Town) might only cover one square kilometre, but it packs a heck of a lot into its cobbled alleys, including offbeat jewellery and craft shops,, high-spired churches and numerous bars (260-plus at last count). The city is rapidly becoming one of Europe's top destinations for weekend and short breaks. You'll be hard-pressed to decide how to spend your time. My tip for river cruise visitors: Keep it simple and don't try to do too much; you can always come back for more.