Vibhi had planned a weekend visit before his Schengen visa expired, and since I was in my 5th month of pregnancy, we wanted a trip that felt easygoing yet filled with small discoveries. We looked for destinations not too far from home and eventually chose Essen. I put together a list of places worth exploring, but kept our plans flexible so we could adjust to my energy levels along the way.
Day 0 – 4 July 2025
Vibhi arrived in the afternoon, took a little time to rest, and set aside the luggage he wouldn’t need for the weekend. Once everything was sorted, we packed ourselves into the car and began our drive to Essen. The road was smooth for the most part, though we did get caught in some city traffic at the start, which slowed us down a bit. As the hours passed, the drive settled into a quiet rhythm, giving us time to chat and soak in the journey.
By the time we arrived in Essen, the sun had dipped low, and we found ourselves circling around our accommodation, slightly puzzled about where the entrance was. A quick call to the owner cleared things up, and soon enough, we were checked in and ready to unwind. Since it was already late, we kept the evening simple, warming up the food we had brought from home and sharing a cosy dinner together. We ended the night with a lighthearted round of Monopoly Deal before finally calling it a day.
Day 1 – 5 July 2025
Very early in the morning, around 6 a.m., we were startled awake by an angry knock on our window. A German man, frustrated that our car had been mistakenly parked in front of his garage, threatened to call the police as he was getting late for his morning hike. Rishi quickly got up to move the car, with some help from the owner. Once the situation was sorted, we slipped back into bed and managed to get some more rest.
Not wanting a rushed start to the day, we allowed ourselves a slow morning, finally waking up around 9 a.m. After getting ready and enjoying breakfast, we set out for the day feeling refreshed.
By the time we arrived in Kettwig Old Town, the clock was already inching towards noon. We decided to fuel up before exploring and stopped at Dos Bar & Restaurant, a cosy Indian spot tucked away in the town. Rishi ordered a comforting chicken curry, Vibhi went for a crispy chicken schnitzel, and with my food aversions to meat still in full swing, I chose a simple pasta dish. It wasn’t the most traditional start to a German old-town visit, but it gave us the energy we needed for the afternoon ahead.
Bellies full, we set off to wander the cobbled streets. Our first stop was the Marktplatz, where half-timbered houses stood shoulder to shoulder like something straight out of a fairytale. From there, we made our way up to the Evangelische Kirche, a quiet little church with a tower that peeks over the rooftops. The view from here gave us a lovely glimpse of the clustered houses below. Back down on the streets, we meandered along Brückstraße, snapping photos every few steps because every corner looked postcard-worthy. Soon, we found ourselves by the Ruhr Promenade, where the river flowed lazily, offering the perfect excuse to slow down and take a breather. Crossing the Kettwiger Ruhrbrücke, we got one of the best views of the town itself, clustered half-timbered buildings on one side and the soft green of the riverbanks on the other.
On our way back, we treated ourselves to some ice cream at Lavendel im Brückencafe, a small but perfect indulgence to round off the stroll. Kettwig felt like a hidden storybook town, small enough to wander without rushing, yet full of corners that stayed with us long after we left.
After our little adventure in Kettwig’s old town, I knew my legs weren’t up for more park wandering in Essen. So, we switched gears and drove to Düsseldorf instead, my chance to rest while Rishi and Vibhi handled the roads. It worked out perfectly because we also got to show Vibhi a slice of a city we really like. We parked and strolled towards the Rhine promenade, where the river breeze instantly lifted my mood. The three of us wandered along, soaking in the views, until we found a spot by the promenade to sit, snack, and people-watch. Vibhi and Rishi treated themselves to a beer, and I was just happy to be chilling with the river rolling by. On our way back, we stumbled onto an unexpected treat, a vintage car show right by the promenade! Rows of shiny classics, proud owners, food stalls, and a fun crowd made it feel like we had walked into a mini festival. After clicking a few pictures with the cars, we headed back to our car and drove towards Essen, feeling like we had made the best spontaneous change of plans.
Back at our accommodation, we did a quick Lidl run, then filled the place with the smell of pizzas and roasted chicken. Dinner was cosy and simple, and the night wrapped up with a fun round of Catan, just food, laughter, and the perfect way to end the day.
Day 2 – 6 July 2025
On our last morning in Essen, we kept it simple: eggs and bread for breakfast with the groceries from the day before. After packing up and getting ready, we checked out and set off for the day.
With the rain rolling in, Museum Folkwang was our final stop in Essen and a cosy way to end the trip. I’d planned it in advance since the main collection is free, and it felt like such a win to just stroll in and explore. Inside, we wandered from one surprise to the next, a trippy light room that made us feel like we’d stepped into another dimension, artefacts from India and Africa that added a global touch, and even a funny Pinocchio statue that made us grin. We paused at a Van Gogh, got fooled by a few clever visual illusions, and admired plenty of striking paintings that were just plain good to look at. It was calm, inspiring, and playful all at once, the perfect slow ending before we wrapped up our bags (and our weekend) and drove home.
The weekend was just what we needed: slow, relaxed, and filled with little discoveries. It wasn’t about ticking off sights but about enjoying simple moments together: shared meals, laughter over board games, and easy walks that let us soak in the atmosphere. A gentle getaway, made more special by the timing and the company, before life moves on to new chapters.
