From Former Coal Shafts to Great Artists

There is little left to remind you of the grey Ruhr region and its smoking collieries in Essen. Where thousands of miners once toiled, you’ll find art, culture and design at today’s Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site. But some of the old miners are still around. Honest, straightforward and to the point. Experience the history of Zollverein Coal Mine with one of these men and travel back to a time when the casino served sandwiches instead of salmon canapés. Your guided tour of Zollverein is sure to be authentic, humorous, informative and unforgettable! Afterwards, we recommend a visit to the Red Dot Design Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of contemporary design. Here you can see what makes Zollverein Coal Mine what it is today: an innovative and incredibly exciting place of change and the future. You don’t even have to leave the mine in the evening. An excellent dinner in a unique setting awaits you at Casino Zollverein. And if you’re still not ready to call it a night, enjoy dance, performance art and theatre at PACT Zollverein. At the end of this exciting evening, you can return to your hotel in complete comfort by tram or taxi.

Your second day in Essen begins with a good breakfast at the hotel. Fuel up for an exciting journey through centuries of art history. At the Museum Folkwang, you can enjoy the free permanent exhibition featuring works by van Gogh, Monet, Picasso and Cézanne, as well as exciting temporary exhibitions throughout the year. This world-class museum, named Museum of the Year in 2020, is sure to delight you. From Museum Folkwang, it’s just a short hop to the trendy Rüttenscheid district and its popular shopping street, the “Rü”. Here you’ll find first-class little restaurants, such as “Müllers auf der Rü”, run by Michelin-starred chef and TV personality Nelson Müller. Or simply enjoy a delicious coffee and recharge before browsing independent boutiques and galleries. If your shopping trip was a success, you can get dressed up for the evening right away. Essen offers an excellent cultural programme at large and small theatres, the Philharmonie, and venues such as the GOP Varieté and Stratmanns Theater. Many venues have restaurants on site, so you can combine your evening entertainment with a delicious meal. After what we hope will be an unforgettable evening, you can while away the hours in one of the many bars or relax at your hotel before the journey home.