The Museum Kunstpalast, which was redesigned by Oswald Matthias Ungers and opened in 2001, is located in the centre of Düsseldorf, right on the Rhine river. Ever since it reopened, the house has gained a splendid international reputation with its high-quality exhibitions, such as Miró, Dalí, Warhol, Caravaggio, "Bonjour Russia", "Diana and Actaeon" and Per Kirkeby. The permanent exhibit too, whose spectrum ranges from medieval sculptures to an outstanding assortment of Baroque graphic works up to paintings of the Düsseldorf School of Painting and Expressionism, as well as contemporary photography, is held in great esteem all over the world. The Hentrich Glass Collection is also found in the Museum Kunstpalast, and is the most comprehensive glass collection in Europe, tracing the development of glass artistry without interruption from luxury glass objects of the pre-Roman period up to glass art from contemporary studios. The Robert Schumann Hall, a multifunctional hall offering a sophisticated program running from chamber music to cabaret, is also integrated into the museum.

Half-way between Catania and Messina lies the picturesque, waterside Town of Taormina. It's situated at an elevation, which makes for some splendid views over the water, and has a few pleasant beaches down below. A not-to-be-missed attraction is the ancient Greco-Roman theatre.

Düsseldorf's Altstadt (Old Town) is also home to some of the city's most beautiful churches. For instance, the Sankt Lambertus Basilika, which was first built in the 13th century, and which with its twisting spire helps make Düsseldorf's skyline unique. In conjunction with the Schlossturm (Castle Tower) and the River Düssel, the basilica remains part of the Old Town's original core. This church's parish altar also houses a shrine containing relics of Saint Apollinaris, the city's patron saint.