Carlstadt is the city’s exquisite quarter of galleries and antique shops. Citadellstraße with its elegant stately residences from the 18th and 19th centuries and the flair of its streets almost unchanged since these days, seems to have escaped the passing of time. A more profound insight into Düsseldorf’s history can be gained at Stadtmuseum at the corner of Bäckerstraße and Berger Allee. Its cosy garden is treated as an insidertip! The Carlsplatz, and its lively food market open from Monday to Saturday. From here, take the attractive Bilker Straße for a visit to the Heinrich-Heine- Institute or proceed past the former residence of Robert and Clara Schumann to Bastionstraße, a must for every lover of antiques.

The Rhine tower, the North Rhine-Westphalia parliament, the Gehry Buildings, the city gate or Colorium – MedienHafen is a hotspot for creative architecture in Düsseldorf. Several international architects played a creative role in the reconstruction of the old Rhine port area. Frank O. Gehry, David Chipperfield, Joe Coenen, Steven Holl and Claude Vasconi were among those who made a creative contribution to make it what it is today. Those goods depots which were protected by a preservation order had to be renovated with hi-tech engineering and creative interior design. The ancient storerooms have been recreated with a new style and grace. However, you can still feel the old port atmosphere everywhere despite all the reconstruction. Just a decade ago the warehouses were nothing but immense empty spaces inside. Today, various television channels and radio stations, and advertising and media agencies, design bureaus and suchlike have all set up shop inside. So that’s where the name came from: MedienHafen, which means media harbour. The MedienHafen also plays in the premier league where hospitality is concerned. From the exquisite “Berens am Kai”, with a Michelin star, through the “most golden” curry sausage in Düsseldorf, to a cosy cocktail in the evening – the restaurateurs here have adapted to their heterogeneous clientele, which is composed of business customers during the day and the funky in-crowd in the evening, who all meet up to party at the stylish “Rudas Studios” advertising film venue or at the “Port Seven”.

Al Ahsa National Park is a lush green oasis located in the Al Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia, near the city of Al Ahsa and in close proximity to the Qara Mountains. Originally established to combat desertification and protect the oasis from encroaching sands, the park has since evolved into a popular recreational destination. Visitors can enjoy a variety of amenities, including expansive green spaces, playgrounds, recreational areas, and even swimming pools all through the day.

Under the waters surrounding the islands of Samoa, beautiful coral gardens are teeming with an astonishing 900 species of fishes and 200 varieties of corals. The coast from Lalomanu to Lotofaga has plenty of swimming and snorkelling beaches. Samoan Island Adventures organises snorkelling trips as well as tours and scooter rentals.