Hamburg

Once known as the ‘Queen of the Hanseatic League’, Lübeck is steeped in history and tradition and is, quite simply, beautiful. The old town on its oval island is one of the most impressive, intact examples of medieval Gothic architecture.

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walk of the Altstadt (old city) with the Holsten Gate. Pass by St Marien Church and the Gothic Rathaus, one of the oldest in Germany. You’ll continue past the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital, as well as the Buddenbrooks House, home of the famous writers Heinrich and Thomas Mann, both born in Lübeck. Another fascinating attraction you’ll see is the Fuechtingshof one of the quaintest of the 82 Wohngaenge (alleyways).

Visit the famous Café Niederegger, where you may enjoy coffee or tea and Niederegger’s popular marzipan gateau. There will also be time for you to stock up on Niederegger’s large selection of chocolate-coated marzipan.

Hamburg is one of Europe’s biggest ports. Elegant and cosmopolitan it is a city of palatial office buildings, magnificent promenades, international musicals and extravagant shopping malls as well as the famous Reeperbahn. Hamburg is also Germany’s greenest city with many spacious lawns and lovely parks.

Enjoy a panoramic tour showing you the highlights of this bustling city, such as the City Hall, Germany’s oldest Stock Exchange; the Speicherstadt; as well as the Jungfernstieg, one of the elegant and luxury shopping areas. Travel around the Aussen-Alster, which is one of the top addresses in Hamburg.

Continue your journey along the world famous Reeperbahn, where at the beginning of the 17th century, the Reepers made rigs. Nowadays this street, together with the Grosse Freiheit and Herbert Strasse, are referred to as ‘the mile of sin’.

Visit St Michael’s Church, also known as the ‘Michel’ by the locals. This is the largest north German Baroque church and Hamburg’s main landmark. St Michael’s has four organs, one of which is said to be the largest in the world inside a church. During your visit, you will be treated to a wonderful organ recital to appreciate the excellent acoustics of the church.

Before returning to the ship you’ll take a leisurely stroll through the KramerAmtsstuben, which was an earlier form of widow housing.

Enjoy an orientation drive of Hamburg including many of the city sights before transferring to Lüneburg.

Lüneburg city is rich in tradition and historically connected with salt – the ‘white gold’ of the Middle Ages. The salt mines made Lüneburg a rich and powerful town and an important member of the Hanseatic League. To appreciate the beauty of this medieval city, you’ll take a tour of the Old Town on foot. The many important historical buildings testify to the prosperity of the city in the Middle Ages. Even today, salt plays an important role in Lüneburg’s status as a spa town; many illnesses are treated through salt and water therapies.

During your walk through the city and small cobbled alleyways, you’ll be able to see buildings such as the historical town hall Rathaus, which was built around 1240.

Spend some time at leisure, exploring the medieval, quaint town centre with its numerous shops.

Sit back, relax and enjoy your ‘Ticket to Ride’ as you follow on the trail of the ‘Fab Four’ in Hamburg. Have your camera at the ready as you pass by many of the City’s highlights including the century old Warehouse Quarter, Speicherstadt, City Hall and the Aussen-Alster, the top address in Hamburg where numerous consulates are located. You’ll also see the infamous Reeperbahn, also known as St Pauli, Hamburg’s ‘red-light district’ as well as the theatre and nightlife mile.

Your guide will host you on a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ to discover where the band first found fame and enjoy some tales about their early experiences. On the 18th August 1960, the band played their first concert as ‘The Beatles’ at the Indra Club. Enjoy a glass of beer at the club, as you soak up the atmosphere.

As it’s been a ‘Hard Day’s Night’, you’ll enjoy a brief stop at a typical German Imbiss, where you’ll sample a tasty traditional bratwurst, before you have to ‘Get Back’ to your ship.

Sit back and relax as your guide hosts you on a panoramic drive around Hamburg. Have your camera to hand, as you pass by many of the City’s highlights including the century old Warehouse Quarter, Speicherstadt, City Hall and the Aussen-Alster, the top address in Hamburg where numerous consulates are located.

Enjoy a guided stroll through the infamous Reeperbahn, also known as St Pauli, Hamburg’s ‘red-light district’ as well as the theatre and nightlife mile. Your next stop is at one of the many breweries, a traditional German pub, to sample a stein of the locally produced beer.

Travel to Berlin by coach, where your local guide will meet you. One of your first stops will be at the remnants of the Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery. Today, approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this memorial for freedom and make it the largest open-air gallery in the world.

Some of the most famous highlights which you’ll see are; Bebel Platz where, below ground level, lies the Empty Library, the city’s most original memorial, created to commemorate ostracised authors whose books were burned. Check-Point Charlie, the legendary border crossing; the Potsdamer Platz, formerly a no-man's land between East and West where the first gap in the Berlin Wall was made in 1989. Next you’ll travel to the famous Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of Berlin’s history and the Reichstag.

Drive through Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s ‘Champs Elysées’, passing the impressive Schloss Charlottenburg’, and the Gendarmenmarkt. Have your camera ready as you pass the main railway station, Hauptbahnhof, the building has been dubbed an architectural and logistical wonder. Next, it’s time for some retail therapy where you’ll enjoy some time at leisure to browse the numerous shops for souvenirs.

A traditional German lunch is included and will be served at a local pub-style restaurant.

Upon arrival in Berlin, have you camera to hand, as your guide takes you on a panoramic drive around the city’s highlights. En route, you’ll pass by the Bebel Platz where, below ground level, lies the Empty Library, the city’s most original memorial, created to commemorate ostracised authors whose books were burned.

Some of the most famous highlights which you’ll see are the remnants of the Berlin Wall; Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church; the Brandenburger Gate and the Reichstag. There will be a brief photo stop at the legendary border crossing of the former Check-Point Charlie.

During the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Berlin independently from Potsdamer Platz. Have a spot of lunch, do some shopping or perhaps visit one of the many top attractions.

Your morning starts with a panoramic tour of Hamburg, where for more than 400 years the Jewish community have influenced the city’s development. En route you’ll pass by some of the main highlights including City Hall, Germany’s oldest Stock Exchange, and the old warehouse quarter, which was built in Gothic redbrick architecture and houses fine spices, coffee and tea from all over the world. You’ll also pass through the elegant shopping area of Jungfernstieg.

During your panoramic tour, you’ll pass by the Jewish Cemetery that dates back to the early 1600’s, as well as the site where the new synagogue stood, until its destruction during World War II. The site is now Hamburg’s Holocaust Memorial, where a voluntary group works towards ‘a world without hate’.

Situated outside Hamburg is the Neuengamme Concentration Camp Memorial. The historical site commemorates over 100,000 people who were imprisoned in the largest concentration camp in north west Germany during World War II. Time permitting, free time will be given at the main exhibition entitled ‘Traces of History: Neuengamme Concentration Camp 1938–1945 and its Post-war History’, which focuses on the history of Neuengamme Concentration Camp and its satellite camps. Before departing a short drive will be made at the Memorial.