Flights to Dusseldorf with Air France from ZAR 11,842*

Düsseldorf - travel to a modern city with architecture to match and Rhine-side seats for one of Germany's biggest funfairs

Düsseldorf is a business and financial centre with a population of just under 600,000 located on the banks of Germany's longest river, the Rhine.

The city is a popular all-year-round business and holiday destination, so your best bet for good-value airplane tickets is to look for the special offers that may be available on the Air France website.

The approximately 13 hour flight (depending on connections) to Düsseldorf Airport is just the start of your journey. There is a fast rail link to the city centre that will get you there in minutes.

Much of the city was destroyed during WW2, including the Altstadt (Old Town), which was rebuilt from scratch according to the original plans. However, the city has also been famous for its cutting-edge architecture, dating from all periods of history. This ranges from the Wilhelm Marx House, Germany's first high-rise building, built in the 1920s, to the new complex at Media Harbour (Düsseldorf-Hafen), home to media, fashion and design firms. One of the hallmark designs here has to be the Neuer Zollhof by Frank Gehry. Most striking of all is the Rheinturm, a 240 metre-high telecoms tower housing a revolving restaurant, observation deck and the largest digital clock in the world!

Düsseldorf has long been associated with major fairs, both of the business and of the pleasure variety: Fashion, boating and watersports trade fairs, the Kirmes fun fair, visited by 4 million people annually and carnival, which starts in November and runs until Ash Wednesday, lend a real buzz to the city.

Düsseldorf's quirky customs, old-world charm and riverside setting make it a relaxing place to stay

There can be few cities in the world with a cartwheeling competition, but Düsseldorf is one. An annual contest held since 1971 now attracts hundreds of boys and girls, continuing a tradition that is hundreds of years old (it is claimed cartwheeling was invented here in the 13th century). There's even a cartwheelers' fountain to be seen!

For more sedate strolls, the Rheinuferpromenade path alongside the river Rhine is a favourite with locals and tourists alike, whilst there are also a number of attractive parks open to the public, including the Hofgarten, (the first public park in Germany), the Japanese gardens in the Nordpark and the modern botanical gardens at the university, featuring a 1000m² dome glasshouse.

Other notable sights in the city include the St. Lambertus church with its characteristic twisted spire, the Rathaus (city hall) and the Burgplatz square, which also contains the City Monument, a recounting of the city's past in the shape of a metal artwork.

For times during your stay when the weather isn't so kind, a look at the exclusive shops along Königsallee a trip to the Kunstsammlung NRW art gallery (Klee, Picasso, Kandinsky, Warhol), or even a vintage car workshop tour (Classic Remise Düsseldorf) could be in order.

Before you go, do remember to check your travel document requirements. Germany is a member of the Schengen Area and the Eurozone and is one hour behind South African time. For additional information on customs regulations and vaccinations please consult either the Air France website or relevant travel and tourism websites.