To the northwest of Germany's Ruhr valley, the sky stretches over a plain divided by the country's biggest river, the Rhine.

The relatively flat landscape makes the Lower Rhine one of the 10 most popular cycling regions in Germany. Numerous attractions can be visited along the area's Via Romana, the Herrensitz Route or the Rhine Cycle Path.

There are plenty of things to attact art lovers as well. A museum in the town of Kleve houses a collection of artworks dating from the Middle Ages to contemporary times. And the Castle Moyland museum is home to the world's largest collection of works by the artist Joseph Beuys.

The visionary and controversial Beuys - known for his trademark felt hat - was born in Kleve on May 12, 1921 and spent his childhood there. He revolutionized notions of art with his objects made of felt, fat and honey.

Meanwhile, the archeological park at Xanten covers 2,000 years of history. During Roman times this was one of the biggest cities in the province of Germania Inferior, after Cologne. In Xanten, the ancient world is at your fingertips.

Author: DW-TV
Editor: Jennifer Abramsohn