The three cities of Germany: part two

On our quest to see Germany, Hamburg made a great second pit-stop after Berlin. As we were heading towards the Netherlands, we stayed at the top of Germany and avoided going south towards cities such as Munich. Not knowing what to expect, Hamburg could have been in a completely different country from Berlin. Berlin is eclectic, whereas Hamburg felt much more traditional. Tree-lined canals, quaint cobblestone streets, perfectly aligned trees, swans and gorgeous water features are just some of the features you can expect to see. Rich in history, a free walking tour from Sandemans was a welcome insight into the city, not to mention a great way to get our bearings.

Hamburg is lush and green and with wide walking paths lining major canals, it’s a beautiful place to take a stroll, or use one of the many benches to enjoy a picnic dinner. Sitting there with some takeaway salad and cold German beer it’s a picturesque evening with bikes whizzing past, groups of joggers and families walking dogs. Not to mention it’s a great way to burn off that delicious German food.

St. Nicholas Church is a must-see attraction as a memorial to World War II. The city of Hamburg was relentlessly bombed and the church stands half-burned. The spire reaches up into the sky and stands as a reminder of the tragedy that occurred. Restoration works were going on, but the spire can be climbed for a magnificent view of the city. Under the burned ruins is a museum, and for a mere few euros is a great place to absorb some knowledge, or escape the rain as we happily discovered. 

Little bakeries selling fresh sandwiches and sweet cakes are everywhere and are worth stopping at for lunch. Lured by a golden flaky cake with white icing I couldn’t help myself and before I knew it, I was holding a brown paper bag and making my way down to the major canal on the edge of the city. I have no idea what it’s called but there’s soft, sweet fluffy bread with a cakey-crumble like topping that it sweet and buttery with a white sugar icing on top. It is huge and extremely rich and is perfect shared for two. Throw the diet to the wind and make sure to get one – that’s what travelling is all about, trying, seeing, doing and experiencing new things. Don’t miss out.

Be careful of the swans, they look pretty and meek but will be snapping at your fingers searching for food in no time at all. Visit the botanical gardens for lush greenery, blooming flowers, pops of colour, statues and watery gardens. They are free and spectacular.

   

Hamburg is a major shipping port for Germany and is very industrial. It is one of the wealthiest cities and is currently building a contentious new opera house that is costing more than ever imagined. It may not have made any ‘favourite’ city list, but it was a welcome break and a chance to explore more of Germany is a chance I’ll always take..

The last city we visited in Germany is Cologne – and what a blast! Stay tuned for next week..