Neander Valley, origins of mankind

The smell of damp leaves and the soft burble of the Düssel set the scene in the wooded Mettmann valley, just 15 km from Düsseldorf. In 1856, workers at the Feldhofer cave uncovered bones that would name an entire human species. Opened in 1996 and widely awarded, the Neanderthal Museum spans four floors of human evolution: tool casts, genetics, habitat reconstructions. Outside, the Fundstelle Feldhofer trail pinpoints the exact discovery zone, while signposted paths trace the river toward the wildlife enclosure with European bison and hardy tarpan horses.

Your private driver in Düsseldorf collects you at the hotel in a refined Mercedes, handling timings, drop-offs and the wait so you focus on the visit. Tour the permanent galleries, take a break at Café Neanderthal, then follow the footbridge to the Neanderthaler Fundstelle if you wish; he’ll meet you by the Mettmann info point near the Neanderkirche at your pace. With time to spare, add a loop to the Wildgehege or a quick photo stop by the limestone cliffs of the Ittertal before a smooth 25–30 minute ride back to the city.