Crime Cruise to Düsseldorf

The city of Bremen, together with its northern outpost Bremerhaven, forms Germany’s smallest federal state. The centerpiece and landmark of Germany’s eleventh-largest city is the Bremen Roland, a statue of Roland on the central market square that was erected in 1404. The Roland stands directly in front of Bremen’s Gothic-style City Hall, with which it was jointly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. At City Hall, visitors will also find the Bremen Town Musicians, famous far beyond the city limits, who are more than just a great photo opportunity. It is said that touching the donkey’s front legs will make a wish come true. At the Schlachte, the historic riverside promenade along the Weser, visitors can round off their visit with a leisurely stroll or by relaxing in one of the many bars, cafés, and restaurants.

The town of Hoya in Lower Saxony, first mentioned in historical records in 1150, is home to about 4,000 residents and serves as the seat of the Grafschaft Hoya joint municipality. The town, which is part of the German Fairy Tale Route, thrives on its myths and legends, including the stories surrounding Hoya Castle, whose central section dates back to the 19th century. Other attractions include the approximately 900-year-old St. Martinus Church—once the burial site of the counts and now a cultural center—as well as the historic town hall and the von Behr manor house with its Brazilian-themed wallpaper. Near the official center of Lower Saxony, visitors can also receive a certificate at the stone monument erected there.

The town of Hoya in Lower Saxony, first mentioned in historical records in 1150, is home to about 4,000 residents and serves as the seat of the Grafschaft Hoya joint municipality. The town, which is part of the German Fairy Tale Route, thrives on its myths and legends, including the stories surrounding Hoya Castle, whose central section dates back to the 19th century. Other attractions include the approximately 900-year-old St. Martinus Church—once the burial site of the counts and now a cultural center—as well as the historic town hall and the von Behr manor house with its Brazilian-themed wallpaper. Near the official center of Lower Saxony, visitors can also receive a certificate at the stone monument erected there.

In Nienburg, Lower Saxony, 1,000 years of city history meet the modern era. The cityscape is characterized by half-timbered houses and brick buildings, yet the approximately 32,000 residents live here in the economic and cultural heart of the region. The historic old town invites visitors to stroll and explore. History buffs and foodies alike will find plenty to enjoy. Nienburg is known for its asparagus, which is celebrated in the city through the Asparagus Fountain and the Lower Saxony Asparagus Museum. Another tourist highlight is the weekly market, which takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In 2008, it was named “Europe’s Most Beautiful Weekly Market” by the “Lebendige Stadt” Foundation. The Nienburg Bear Trail is a city walking tour that takes visitors to 32 points of interest. These include the historic town hall, parts of which date back to the 14th century; the 18th-century town hall; and St. Martin’s Parish Church with its 72-meter-high tower. Incidentally, the painted bear paws that mark the route are part of the city’s coat of arms.

In Nienburg, Lower Saxony, 1,000 years of city history meet the modern era. The cityscape is characterized by half-timbered houses and brick buildings, yet the approximately 32,000 residents live here in the economic and cultural heart of the region. The historic old town invites visitors to stroll and explore. History buffs and foodies alike will find plenty to enjoy. Nienburg is known for its asparagus, which is celebrated in the city through the Asparagus Fountain and the Lower Saxony Asparagus Museum. Another tourist highlight is the weekly market, which takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In 2008, it was named “Europe’s Most Beautiful Weekly Market” by the “Lebendige Stadt” Foundation. The Nienburg Bear Trail is a city walking tour that takes visitors to 32 points of interest. These include the historic town hall, parts of which date back to the 14th century; the 18th-century town hall; and St. Martin’s Parish Church with its 72-meter-high tower. Incidentally, the painted bear paws that mark the route are part of the city’s coat of arms.

Minden is a picturesque town in the northeast of North Rhine-Westphalia with a population of 81,000. This town with a long history nestles directly on the Weser River and boasts many notable buildings within a compact area. These structures trace their origins to the town’s past as a bishopric, a fortified city, and a Hanseatic city with staple rights. The cityscape is dominated above all by the large cathedral, featuring both Gothic and Romanesque elements, which was founded in the eighth century. Also worth seeing are the many half-timbered houses in the Old Town, especially on Hohe Strasse and Museumszeile. Other highlights include a coffee museum and a ship mill located directly on the riverbank.

The beautiful city of Münster impresses with its many historic buildings, which are found primarily in the town’s lovingly restored Old Town. The Prinzipalmarkt, for example, with its well-preserved gabled houses and arcades, is well worth a visit. But a stroll along the so-called Promenade—which is open only to pedestrians and cyclists and winds its way around the entire Old Town—is also a delightful experience. Also worth a visit is the idyllic Aasee, located not far from the city center and surrounded by beautiful nature. The Allwetterzoo Münster is also very interesting, where visitors can marvel at many exotic animals.

The beautiful city of Münster impresses with its many historic buildings, which are found primarily in the town’s lovingly restored Old Town. The Prinzipalmarkt, for example, with its well-preserved gabled houses and arcades, is well worth a visit. But a stroll along the so-called Promenade—which is open only to pedestrians and cyclists and winds its way around the entire Old Town—is also a delightful experience. Also worth a visit is the idyllic Aasee, located not far from the city center and surrounded by beautiful nature. The Allwetterzoo Münster is also very interesting, where visitors can marvel at many exotic animals.

The “small” city of Herne has a population of just over 160,000 and is located in the Ruhr region in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is known for the Rhine-Herne Canal, a 45.4-kilometer-long federal waterway. The Herne-Ost marina (kilometer 37.5) is located here, in the immediate vicinity of the Herne-Ost lock. The marina features a restaurant, a snack bar, and shopping facilities. The eastern district is called Sodingen (population 35,000) and is divided into the neighborhoods of Horsthausen, Börnig/Holthausen, and Sodingen. The waterway runs through Horsthausen. The Teutoburgia coal mining settlement belonged to the coal mine of the same name in the district of Börnig, a former hard coal mine that was shut down as early as 1929. The settlement is a designated historic landmark and was designed as a garden city. The headframe of Shaft 1 has been preserved, as has the old hoisting machine hall, an impressive example of industrial architecture. The coal mine grounds have been converted into a park and, together with the Kunstwald, are part of the Route of Industrial Culture. Along the path, visitors will find art and sound installations that evoke the site’s former use. The top of the headframe is illuminated at night.

The “small” city of Herne has a population of just over 160,000 and is located in the Ruhr region in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is known for the Rhine-Herne Canal, a 45.4-kilometer-long federal waterway. The Herne-Ost marina (kilometer 37.5) is located here, in the immediate vicinity of the Herne-Ost lock. The marina features a restaurant, a snack bar, and shopping facilities. The eastern district is called Sodingen (population 35,000) and is divided into the neighborhoods of Horsthausen, Börnig/Holthausen, and Sodingen. The waterway runs through Horsthausen. The Teutoburgia coal mining settlement belonged to the coal mine of the same name in the district of Börnig, a former hard coal mine that was shut down as early as 1929. The settlement is a designated historic landmark and was designed as a garden city. The headframe of Shaft 1 has been preserved, as has the old hoisting machine hall, an impressive example of industrial architecture. The coal mine grounds have been converted into a park and, together with the Kunstwald, are part of the Route of Industrial Culture. Along the path, visitors will find art and sound installations that evoke the site’s former use. The top of the headframe is illuminated at night.

Duisburg is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia that has a lot to offer. Along the Rhine, there are interesting places and sights to discover. Among the most popular landmarks of the former coal industry is the “Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord,” which attracts visitors with numerous events such as the summer movie theater or a food truck festival. The Duisburg Zoo is known, among other things, for its koalas and dolphins. A long walk to the extravagant, walk-through artwork “Tiger and Turtle” is an experience you’ll never forget.

Duisburg is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia that has a lot to offer. Along the Rhine, there are interesting places and sights to discover. Among the most popular landmarks of the former coal industry is the “Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord,” which attracts visitors with numerous events such as the summer movie theater or a food truck festival. The Duisburg Zoo is known, among other things, for its koalas and dolphins. A long walk to the extravagant, walk-through artwork “Tiger and Turtle” is an experience you’ll never forget.

The Rhineland way of life, blending tradition and modernity—Düsseldorf captivates with its diversity! Art and culture lovers are just as enthralled here as shopping enthusiasts; the Media Harbor impresses with its contemporary architecture, as does the historic Old Town. With more than 250 cozy pubs, the Old Town makes Düsseldorf the “longest bar in the world.” And it’s not just the traditional Altbier that tastes great there! Don’t miss a stroll down Königsallee, the world-famous shopping boulevard—or perhaps you’d prefer a visit to one of the many charming flea markets? And right in the middle of it all: plenty of green space and the Rhine with its riverside promenade, perfect for taking a deep breath. No wonder the VIVA family feels right at home here!