FlyerTalk Forums - SUMMARY on the Altbier in DUS FT

Next follows a summary of the most important things to know, as far as I could recapitalize.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Düsseldorf is the 5th largest city in Germany, but still somewhat small with some 600.000 people living here. It is regarded as the fashion and shopping city in Germany. Advantage of it's size is, that you'll have all attractions in the city centre within walking distance.

DUS is the third largest airport in Germany. It is just 15 minutes away from downtown. Cab ride will cost between 25 - 30 DEM.

DUS has the largest Japanese population outside Japan. You'll find a lot of Japanese businesses and eatersies.

Busiest attraction is the Old Town, called ALTSTADT - - a world of pubs, eateries, discos within just one square km. Not to forget the breweries, which brew the "Altbier" a traditionally made beer specialty - dark and "dangerous". A kind of it's own is the "Uerige", one of the last breweries still privately owned. Here you'll meet CEO's and PM's chatting with construction workers. Waiters being rude sometimes is part of it. Don't even try to order something else than "Alt"(bier).

Düsseldorf is also famous for it's "Königsallee" - a street originally built by the city officials as an excuse and
appeasement to the King, which had been thrown with horse - **** at by the Düsseldorfers, when visiting
the city. Today one of the most elegant and best shopping areas in Germany. Could be a deal due to the
weak Euro.

We Düsseldorfers don't like our neighbors on the wrong (other) side of the Rhine, but to guests I need to
mention it: Yes, Cologne is just a 20 min train ride away, has a really impressive cathedral, was founded by the Romans some years ago and it's Roman-German museum is really worth a visit - if anybody should be interested.

The most popular drink is ALTBIER: For those who have absolutely no idea what "ALTBIER" is, here is a pretty well explained run down on the different beer types and some info on DUS from the Vermont Law school:

http://www.tiac.net/users/tjd/bier/alt.html

For first time visitors to Germany one beer recommendation could also go to "Weissbier" or "Hefeweizen".

WHAT TO DO

Traditionally here in the "Rheinland" with St. Martin's Day (nov 10th) starts "Martinsgans-Essen" (St. Martin's
Goose Dinner)at almost any restaurant in town for the next two or three weeks - well not at the chinese
restaurants, of course, they prefer "Peking Duck" all year. Could be fun !!

Nov 11th at 11:11 am there is another tradition: Start of the Carnival Season. Though Rudi is promoting this heavily: This is in no way that big an event as the "Three Mad Days" in Feb/March itself (not 2 million visitors, just some 30 K - hardcore carnivalists only) but the Altstadt could be a little different than on other days. For those attending the 11/11 11:11 there is a "carnival - cry" .... HELAU. It has (makes) no sense at all. Just shout it, when the others do so. But don't you ever shout "ALAAF" which is the Cologne version of that cry. The rivalry between these two cities does a lot of fun to us natives in either city, but this is a Do Not. Once again so that noone gets disappointed. TO ALL CARNIVAL ENTHUSIASTS. Don't get mixed up, please.
This is not the "Three Mad Days" nor is it anything even near to it. No sweets to be thrown into the crowd.
No crowd. No parade - just one guy called the "Hoppeditz" will arise from the "dead", have a speeech and
telling some jokes in "Düsseldorfer Platt" - a language which is hard to understand even for us natives, even worse than the Swiss speak If you wanna go for the real thing you need to come back february 2001 (Rose Monday with Parade 26th). Info regarding Carnival (under "City Information/Tradition") as is St. Martin's Eve and other info like shopping,

http://www.duesseldorf.de/f_tour_e.htm

A somewhat more romatic choice would be: attending "St. Martin's Parade", which is a winter tradition in
the "Rheinland" to remember St. Martin, who was a roman officer before becoming catholic ... of course.
There are a lot of legends to long to tell here, but every year that night some ten thousand Düsseldorf kids
are parading through city center and every neighborhood, singing themed carrols and carrying themed
lampoons. After that they go from one house or business to another singing (asking) for gifts or sweets.

SHOPPING

All shopping is downtown. All shopping areas are within just max. 20 minutes walking distance. All shops close by 19:30 - 20:00 weekdays and 16:00 Saturday. Closed on Sundays.

KÖNIGSALLEE (KÖ)
Upscale - highscale shopping with almost any major designer name + jewellers. Stretches for 1 km.
Adjacent are two malls: "Schadow Arkaden" and "Kö Galerie" mix of upscale shopping and more cheap ones.
You'll find some 400 shops at the Kö and in those malls.

SCHADOWSTRASSE
Many cheaper opportunities. The one street in Germany with the highest revenue.

ALTSTADT
Boutique style shopping. Unique stores as well as GAP and Footlocker. A lot of galleries and antique shops in the part, which is called "Karlstadt". On "Karlplatz" there is the farmer's market.

DEPARTMENT STORES

KARSTADT
Mid- to upscale brands at the farther end of Schadowstrasse

KAUFHOF an der KÖ
Dto. Just between city center and Altstadt at Königsallee

CARSCHHAUS
Steps from Kaufhof. Upscale fashion

ACCOMODATIONS

The Renaissance is the farthest away from downtown of the deluxe hotels. No possibilty to have a walk just
"out the door", no shops, restaurants or entertainment nearby. Great rate, but you'll pay about 20 DEM each
way downtown by cab.

Hilton, SAS Radisson are halfway between airport and city center. (Cab about 12 DEM) The Radisson and Hilton are .... well just a Radisson or a Hilton with the usual things / atmosphere to expect. Problem with the Radisson and the Hilton and the Renaissance is, that you can't just walk out of the door and have some window shopping. There really is nothing around. For anything you wanna do, you need to ride cab or tram.

Nikko within walking distance to major department stores and Königsallee.
Room Description:
TWO TWIN DELUXE CORNER TWIN COMPUTER MODEM OUTLET HAIR DRYER MINI BAR MOVIES RADIOS TROUSER PRESS VOICE MAIL
-PRO- ANNIVERSARY PACKAGE BREAKFAST/POOL/SAUNA/FREE PRKG/LATE C-OUT/ NEWSPAPER/WELCOME DRINK/AVAIL FRI/SAT/SUN
Nikko is a 4(+) * near main station (3Min) within walking distance to major department stores (3 Min),
shopping arcades (3 Min), Königsallee (5 Min) and Altstadt (10 Min). Two restaurants (japanese and int'l) and
Lounge - Bar. Cab from Altstadt 7 DEM. Nikko would give away Junior Suites for quite the same rate - whatever this may be.

Holiday Inn at the other end of Königsallee but within walking distance to all the buzz.

There are of course some 3 * hotels, too. Some with excellent location like th Dorint, two BestWesterns, some independent ones and the MariottCourtyard,

The Steigenberger Parkhotel would be the very best bet - on hotel quality, location ... and rates as well ?
Steigenberger Parkhotel just exactly at the "borderline" between Altstadt and Königsallee - so you will just "fall into your bed". It had a rate of 255 DEM rate available (which is 120 US $) Attention this rate requires a 2 nts
min stay and is sgl only. Dbl would be 360 DEM. Rates are NOT negotiable ... I still highly recommend the Steigenberger - not only for being the best hotel in town with some old fashioned Grand Hotel atmosphere, but for it's excellent location.

Keep in mind that you'll have some 60 - 80 DEM each day on cab rides to add to the Renaissance, Hilton, Radisson.

From the 3 *'s you mention the Dorint is the by far the best when it comes to convenience and location (It's
just one block from my home). There are some rooms left at 185 DEM dbl. incl. breakfast and some at DEM 215. Location is good. Near main station (2 Min), Walking distance to Königsallee (5 Min)and Altstadt (15 Min). Small restaurant. Maybe you'll need a cab on your way back ? 10 DEM. attention 3 * only. Rates are NOT negotiable b/c of the no of rooms left.

Sorat is nice, clean and modern, but won't be first choice. Cab rides necessary at DEM 10.

Looking at rates, location and quality of hotel itself alltogether: Nikko would prpbably be the best choice

ALTSTADT AT NIGHT

Favorite to tourists and natives as well it hosts any kind of pubs, brew houses, discos, bars, jazz clubs, eateries - except for any "red light" etablissements. Some 300 of 'em within just one square km - side by side. Brewhouses close at midnight, some of the others do at 1 but most are open up to 3 or 5 am. ...). The Altstadt is just about entirely pedestrianised, simplifying matters as you reel from one pub to the next.

BREWHOUSES

The first three of these are in the Altstadt

Zum Uerige

An absolute must, but beware cigarette smoke (in a l l of those pubs. This is not the US)which permeates the place. The Altbier here is absolutely wonderful, deserving of the apellation "world classic." If you can find a relatively smoke-free room, so much the better to appreciate the flavour. Open nearly every day, 10 AM to midnight, except for Rose Monday and Christmas day.

Zum Schlüssel

Bright, big, and remodelled and expanded about five years ago. Gatzweiler's Alt is the bottled version of this
brewpub's beer, made at a separate brewery; the Zum Schlüssel version, fresh from the barrel, is superior. Hearty, filling, and well-prepared food, too. became way too "new" after reconstruction. Food is very good.

Im Füchsen

The best food of these three brewpubs is served here, or so say the locals YEP. I think its an even match
between here and Zum Schlüssel, and what a rough decision to have to make. So visit them both, and enjoy the Altbier in both places too.

Schumacher

The original Schumacher is not in the Altstadt, located instead not terribly far from the Main Train Station
just 3 min from the Nikko and the Dorint on the edge of downtown. It's hugely popular, of course, serving good food and wonderful housebrewed Altbier, although it's less hoppy than the three Altstadt-based houses' Alt.
There's also a place in Bolkerstrasse, Im Goldenen Kessel, that is the second Schumacher house, for those who just can't bear the thought of leaving the Altstadt. It's across the street from Zum Schlüssel.

Food always means: homemade (style)or like grandma did here in the Rhineland. For gourmet dining there are other places.

DINING

All kind of Dining is possible in Düsseldorf. Be it German (Rhenisch), International, Thai, Chinese, Lebanese, Indonese, Italian, French, Greek, steak houses. For any of these cuisines there are both expensive and very good places to recommend as cheaper ones as well. Highest recommendations go to the Japanese restaurants in town, which are all somewhat expensive. but the food deserves it.

WEATHER

Expect any temp within the 40's and 50's, grey skies and rain. We'd be lucky, if there is sunshine and temps in the 60's. Anything is possible in November For most of central Europe that is. So take MIZU'S advice: check the weather sites on the web before packing.

LINKS

on trains within Germany in English : www.bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en

homepage german railway: www.bahn.de

airpasses in Europe: www.europebyair.com

on Düsseldorf : http://www.duesseldorf.de/f_tour_e.htm

ALTBIER: http://www.tiac.net/users/tjd/bier/alt.html

HOTELS

review Radisson and Hilton : http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/001069.html

Steigenberger: http://www.srs-worldhotels.com/germa...el_duspar.html

Dorint: http://www.dorint.de/duesseldorf/index_e.cfm

Sorat: http://www.SORAT-Hotels.com/dus-main.htm

Marriott Courtyard : http://www.courtyard.com/DUSCY/

Nikko: http://www.nikkohotels.com/europe/dusseldorf.html

SOME USEFUL GERMAN PHRASES

For the cab rides:
"Zur Altstadt" or "Zur Kö" (which is the native's short version of "Königsallee"

ordering Altbier in one of the pubs:
" .... (no. of FT's) Alt, bitte" or, if you even don't wanna count yourself
"eine Runde, bitte"

- and before leaving, of course :
"Ich möchte zahlen" or "Die Rechnung, bitte"

Instead of "bye" just say "tschüss"

For anyone interested: ) I've completed a city map in jpg format with location of hotels, Altstadt, shopping, Königsallee added. ... send an email.

[This message has been edited by bernie (edited 10-01-2000).]

[This message has been edited by bernie (edited 10-01-2000).]