Vibrant cities, fairy-tale castles, coastal towns and winding rivers; there’s no denying that Germany houses a stunning selection of landmarks. A country known for its hearty cuisine, Michelin-starred restaurants and top quality beers, prepare for your taste buds to be well and truly satisfied. But it’s not all about the food – with friendly locals and no end of architecture, galleries and museums to explore, prepare to be blown away by just how much this wonderful country has to offer.
Lying in the north of Germany, close to the Danish border, is the city of Hamburg; a popular cruise port awash with a strong maritime history. Sightseeing boat tours leave regularly from the harbour, taking visitors around the old harbour structures (Speicherstadt), past some of the oldest bridges in the city and to the fish market, which sees the interesting tradition of a fish auction every Sunday morning. The city’s historical architecture is contrasted against the contemporary design of HafenCity – a large shopping area, situated right next door to the Hamburg Cruise Centre.
Located next to Hamburg, is the seaside area of Travemünde, where beautiful coastal walks and riverside strolls are aplenty. Walking along the Priwall Peninsula, you’ll find a sanctuary of rare birds and a nature reserve. The Peninsula also provides a fantastic place for a spot of ship watching. Head to the other side of the resort and you’ll encounter quite the contrast in scenery, with sprawling green pine forests. Culinary enthusiasts visiting Travemünde will be pleased to find lots of delicious eateries, including two highly-commended gourmet restaurants, endless fresh seafood and some wonderful bakeries.
Within easy reach of Travemünde is the city of Lübeck. Famous for its medieval architecture, the city is a great place to take a walking tour, or even a relaxing bike ride. Head to Niederegger for a chance to see how the local delicacy, Marzipan, is made. You can even visit the renowned Niederegger Café for a chance to try of some of the Marzipan concoctions for yourself.
Head further north of Hamburg and you’ll come to the busy port of Kiel. In the late 1800’s the Kiel Canal was the biggest man-made waterway in the world; nowadays it’s no longer the biggest but it is however, the busiest, connecting the North Sea to the Baltic. Kiel itself has fantastic shopping opportunities as well as a number of museums; historical, zoological and military artefacts are just some of the fascinating collections on display. The city is within reach of Eutin Castle, the former seat of the prince bishops of Lübeck and home to beautiful Baroque gardens. If you’re lucky enough to visit in June, you’ll also experience the largest sailing event in the world, the Kiel Regatta.
Southeast of Kiel, on the Baltic coast, lies the coastal town of Warnemünde. Enjoy the beautiful scenery with a ride on the Molli steam train, which takes you through the Mecklenburg region to the resort of Heiligendamm. Here, you can rest with a refreshing beverage and perhaps even a slice of cake, all whilst enjoying the delightful sea views. Take in the sights of the Warnemunde Church, dine inside a historic windmill or spend some time exploring the nearby city of Rostock.
Vibrant cities, fairy-tale castles, coastal towns and winding rivers; there’s no denying that Germany houses a stunning selection of landmarks. A country known for its hearty cuisine, Michelin-starred restaurants and top quality beers, prepare for your taste buds to be well and truly satisfied. But it’s not all about the food – with friendly locals and no end of architecture, galleries and museums to explore, prepare to be blown away by just how much this wonderful country has to offer.
Lying in the north of Germany, close to the Danish border, is the city of Hamburg; a popular cruise port awash with a strong maritime history. Sightseeing boat tours leave regularly from the harbour, taking visitors around the old harbour structures (Speicherstadt), past some of the oldest bridges in the city and to the fish market, which sees the interesting tradition of a fish auction every Sunday morning. The city’s historical architecture is contrasted against the contemporary design of HafenCity – a large shopping area, situated right next door to the Hamburg Cruise Centre.
Located next to Hamburg, is the seaside area of Travemünde, where beautiful coastal walks and riverside strolls are aplenty. Walking along the Priwall Peninsula, you’ll find a sanctuary of rare birds and a nature reserve. The Peninsula also provides a fantastic place for a spot of ship watching. Head to the other side of the resort and you’ll encounter quite the contrast in scenery, with sprawling green pine forests. Culinary enthusiasts visiting Travemünde will be pleased to find lots of delicious eateries, including two highly-commended gourmet restaurants, endless fresh seafood and some wonderful bakeries.
Within easy reach of Travemünde is the city of Lübeck. Famous for its medieval architecture, the city is a great place to take a walking tour, or even a relaxing bike ride. Head to Niederegger for a chance to see how the local delicacy, Marzipan, is made. You can even visit the renowned Niederegger Café for a chance to try of some of the Marzipan concoctions for yourself.
Head further north of Hamburg and you’ll come to the busy port of Kiel. In the late 1800’s the Kiel Canal was the biggest man-made waterway in the world; nowadays it’s no longer the biggest but it is however, the busiest, connecting the North Sea to the Baltic. Kiel itself has fantastic shopping opportunities as well as a number of museums; historical, zoological and military artefacts are just some of the fascinating collections on display. The city is within reach of Eutin Castle, the former seat of the prince bishops of Lübeck and home to beautiful Baroque gardens. If you’re lucky enough to visit in June, you’ll also experience the largest sailing event in the world, the Kiel Regatta.
Southeast of Kiel, on the Baltic coast, lies the coastal town of Warnemünde. Enjoy the beautiful scenery with a ride on the Molli steam train, which takes you through the Mecklenburg region to the resort of Heiligendamm. Here, you can rest with a refreshing beverage and perhaps even a slice of cake, all whilst enjoying the delightful sea views. Take in the sights of the Warnemunde Church, dine inside a historic windmill or spend some time exploring the nearby city of Rostock.
