In the mood to study some historical sites during your travels?
You can take your pick from the many houses of worship which
call Hamburg home, including the famous St. Petrikirche, a remnant
from the 11th century, and St. Katharinekirche, from the 1300s.
(As you might have guessed, “kirche” means “church”
in German.) Because the population of Hamburg is so significant,
the cultural scene is both diverse and thriving. Thus, there
is much to see and do for the visitor who wants to spend every
moment steeped in the German culture.
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For performing arts enthusiasts, there are tens of theatres
in Hamburg. All have different foci, but each is unique
in its own way. Some of the highlights include Theatre
im Zimmer, St. Pauli Theater, & Schauspielhaus,
but there are numerous others for the Hamburg guest
to explore.
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Dance and music buffs will get an emotional and physical charge
out of the clubs which keep Hamburg hopping long into the night.
Whether you’re into funk, classics, or electronica, you
can find the perfect place to shimmy, shake, and meet the locals.
As Hamburg is a liberal town, you can also find a number of
alternative lifestyles clubs for GLBT travelers. Of course,
classical music is also available at various Hamburg venues,
including the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the North German
Radio Symphony Orchestra.
In fact, Johannes Brahms and Felix
Mendelssohn, famous composers, were both born in this harbor
city. If you prefer a more quiet holiday experience, Hamburg’s
dozens of museums are sure to soothe your soul. The Kunsthalle
Hamburg art gallery and the Brahmsmuseum (lullabies, anyone?)
will transport you to another place and time. Additionally,
history buffs will revel in a journey to the Hamburg Museum
to get better acquainted with this town’s past and present.
World War II enthusiasts may want to visit the Neuengamme memorial
dedicated to the concentration camp which was located in Hamburg.
After long days and nights of touring and picture taking, your
palate will
be crying out for something to eat and drink. However, you won’t
find “hamburgers” here; instead, you’ll find
dishes like Bratkartoffeln, potatoes fried to perfection, and
Pannfisch, fresh fish also pan-fried to a crispy brown. Desserts
here are rich and heavy, much like the cuisine, so plan on eating
sparingly. (But don’t accept more than you can eat –
the Germans frown on leaving food on your plate.) Drinks are
potent, so beware. One German beer might be the alcoholic equivalent
of two or more in the States.
After your hearty meals, it’s important to rev up your
metabolism, so spend some time walking or biking through Hamburg
and the surrounding countryside. Cycle rentals are plentiful,
so feel free to explore, especially in the warmer months. (Though
gorgeous in the wintertime, biking might not be comfortable
or safe due to ice and snow.) Once you visit this superb example
of German culture and living, you’ll no doubt want to
return. Truly, Hamburg gets into your blood, and you’ll
find yourself planning your next visit even before you step
on the plane for home.
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