As I tried to snatch a glimpse of the stage between the shoulders of a giant Kinder egg, a poor man’s Amy Winehouse, and a human beer keg, I realised that this was not any old club.

This was a club celebrating carnival the Düsseldorf way.

We were at Nachtresidenz for its annual drag race – Tunte Lauf.

Simply put, this is where a host of drag queens – some fabulous, some still unashamedly unshaven – dance around in dangerously high heels to music straight out of Eurotrash.

Absolutely fabulous.

Tunte Lauf is a night so strange that after an hour spectating, you do not even bat an eyelid when an inflatable condom lands on your head in the club.

If I had a rational explanation, I would insert it at this point.

The best way to describe the city during its annual carnival is this – imagine waking in the throes of an LSD trip, during a full moon that has sent everyone mad, and you’re almost there.

The only way for anyone to understand that, is to visit this amazing place themselves.

Never have I seen so much fancy dress and so many smiles in one place, with people filling the streets to party.

From babies dressed as cavemen, to elderly couples dressed as gnomes, every Düsseldorfer enters the spirit of carnival.

As a typically reserved English tourist I joined in as much as I dared – with an electric pink wig.

But, I was forced to bow my head in shame when a mouse and a nurse accosted me in the ladies’ toilets of one bar and asked me what I had come dressed as.

The only excuse I could muster was “I’m English”, and at that moment I vowed to return next year and dazzle Dusseldorf with my fancy dress efforts.

Planning for the carnival starts on November 11 each year and culminates in three “foolish days” in February with a street carnival on Sunday along the Kö and carnival Monday with a huge parade.

Millions of visitors flock to the metropolis on the Rhine to enjoy the event.

But, there is so much more to Dusselfdorf than colourful wigs and tomfoolery.

It is a vibrant city with something for everyone, from arts, architecture and history, to food, food and more food.

The Old Town has 260 restaurants, inns and pubs within one square kilometre, earning it the title of the longest bar in the world.

One thing is for sure, you will never go thirsty in Dusselfdorf.

Düsseldorf is the home of the Alt beer, which is served fresh from the tap in the city’s four historic home breweries.

Traditional brewery Zum Schiffchen is the perfect place to grab your first taste (brauerei-zum-schiffchen.de).

The menu also boasts some fantastic dishes from the Rhineland.

Enjoy them in Napoleon’s corner, where the general and his staff quaffed beer after a victory parade in 1811, if you really want to soak up some history.

Braised beef, Rhineland style, with stewed apples, red cabbage and potato dumplings comes highly recommended.

The brewery is located in the centre of the old town, which is a place of contrasts, with cobbled lanes, the old palace tower, and railroad lines juxtaposed against designer shops and glamorous bars.

Heading along the Rhine toward the city’s avant-garde mile, the MediaHarbour, the mood shifts as you enter the city’s creative brain.

Buildings designed by internationally-renowned architects such as Frank O Gehry, David Chipperfield and Claude Vasconi, have helped the boost city’s new modern image and stunningly original buildings now sit prettily along preserved quay walls.

The MediaHarbour offers cracking lunch deals for those working in the area, so is well worth a visit.

Breuer’s (breuers-restaurant.de) serves up fantastic tart flambees – their honey and mustard with smoked salmon version is not to be missed.

Walking around the city is a delight and Düsseldorf Without Barriers is working to make it easy for everyone, including those with disabilities.

Tours for blind people, low counters and step-free access to tourist information points are all part of the campaign. Visit dusseldorf-barrierefrei.de for special offers.

But, perhaps the cheapest and simplest way to get to know the city is with a Düsseldorf WelcomeCard.

Not only does it offer free unlimited use of trams and buses within the city area, but also entitles holders to discounted entry to museums, theatres, , leisure facilities and music events.

Prices start at nine Euros per person for 24 hours, or 18 Euros for a family or group.

After all the sightseeing, you will most likely want a place to rest your tired head and Holiday Inn Düsseldorf is ideally located a stone’s throw from the city’s trams and a wallet-busting parade of exclusive shops along the Königsallee.

Close to the airport, just a 20 euro or so taxi ride away, the hotel is ideal for tourists and business people alike.

Boasting a restaurant with a breakfast so fabulous you will find it hard to tear yourself away, a swish lobby bar, indoor pool, sauna and immaculate rooms, it offers everything you could possibly need.

It should also be said that the heated floors in the bathrooms are a stroke of genius for those that struggle to wake up in the mornings.

Visit duesseldorf-citycentre-hi-hotel.de to make a reservation.

Getting to Düsseldorf is just as easy as finding a place to stay, so you really do have no excuse not to visit.

Airberlin, Germany’s second largest airline, operates regular and reasonable flights to Düsseldorf, with a flight menu as long as your arm.

Düsseldorf International is now served by 77 airlines, from 180 destinations worldwide, but if you fly from London Stansted, a key tip is to pay the £15 extra to use the executive lounge.

Leather sofas, chic lighting, free hot food, buffet and drinks all await you.

If like me, you find the whole airport experience a bit of an ordeal, this really is a fantastic experience.

Within minutes you will be reclining and taking it easy, the perfect way to start any trip.

So with all that in mind, what are you waiting for?

Why not start by booking a trip this July, for the biggest funfair on the Rhine? From July 13 to 22, it promises a trip to remember, with Düsseldorfers back in fine spirit.

Discover Düsseldorf and never look back. It is absolutely infectious, and the only cure is to return again and again.