Should I be optimistic that three days will be adequate for a general 'feel' of Germany? This is inclusive of a side trip to Gangelt. Is it better to rely on public transportation or do I just grab a rental car (with GPS) and find my way around. I would like to drive on the autobahn too.

I am not sure, if I got your question right, but you mean three days in D�sseldorf should give you an generel feel of Germany?

Well, D�sseldorf is part of German and quite different from let's say Bavaria or Saxonia. From this point of view, three days in D�sseldorf won't get you a feel of Germany but of the region and the Rhineland.

Three days in Duesseldorf will get you a pretty good general "feeling" for a German city, for German restaurants, for German beer, the autobahn and whatsoever. I will certainly not give you an insight in a very diversified country.

Renting a car in Europe has its ups and downs. If you absolutely need to drive on the autobahn just to say you did it, no one will probably be able to talk you out of it. However, the heavily populated state of Nordrhein-Westphalen will teach you a new word with regards to the autobahn: Stau! The region you are visiting is heavily industrialized and also is (if memory serves) the most populated state in Germany. That means there are lots of other native drivers competing with you for those roads! I'd suggest sticking with the public transport, as that region has frequent and good train service. Driving in a busy German city is not much fun if you are not familiar with the traffic signs and traffic patterns, not to mention the numerous one way streets and streetcar tracks, etc.

As for authentic German, I'm not sure if D�sseldorf is the best city to satisfy stereotypes. The regional altbier is unique, but it is only one of many, many styles of German beer. Luckily, you are only a 30 minute train ride to Cologne, which is in my opinion a much more interesting town.

Being educated in Bonn and working in Duesseldorf I can only say, "naja" . The best thing to be found in Cologne is the autobahn to Bonn and the 22 minutes train ride to D�sseldorf. Or like we said in the old days: Bonn is the federal capital, D�sseldorf is the state capital and Cologne? Well, they have the Kl�ngel and the K�lsch in small glasses (rant over). Cologne is nice, however, beside the cathedral and a few museums nothing to write home about (and I am pretty sure I will get stoned now but I am proud to be a Duesseldorfer).

BTW: You know what happened to the first man from Cologne travelling to Duesseldorf? No? The poor chap was killed by Duesseldorf homo sapiens in the Neanderthal (close to Duesseldorf) and called "Neanderthaler" ever after....

Rivalry aside, you should absolutely spend one of those days in Cologne. I would personally not bother with a car, but I also hate to drive and especially to search for and pay for parking.

I tend to like Dusseldorf but absolutely love Cologne. One of my favourite cities in the whole World.

Both have their attractions, interesting museums, the Medienhafen in DD and Rheinauhafen in Cologne for architecture, fine restaurants and nightlife.

Also plesant green spots, parks, ponds that invite for a relaxing walk or run. Baroque castles at Benrath and Bruehl surrounded by sophisticated gardens.

And of course the stalwarts, Cologne cathedral, the Altstadt in Dusseldorf, 4711, Koelsch and Altbier...Not to forget Bonn, Koblenz and other interesting towns in the vicinity.

Thank you guys. I have decided to extend my stay by 3 days for a total of six days. Mrs havepointswilltravel would rather spend 6 days in London like she has been doing for 25 years ( Got tons of points for free hotel accommodation). Renting a car seems to be out since I absolutely hate congested roadways.