On the road again!! After my previous 2 months trip, exploring Eastern Europe (e.g. Croatia, Greece, Bulgaria) it was time to head north. Hamburg was my first stop, followed by a Northern Europe road trip, through Denmark and Sweden (and maybe back East to the Baltic States)
Having a rest in between trips is always a good idea and it was nice to be at my dad’s for a few weeks. I grew up in Thiersheim, a small town in north Bavaria, right on the border of Check Republic.
The European summer is great and it is nice to be here during that time once again. The fields are a mix of gold and green and the weather is gorgeous. I did my morning runs and daily walks as well as cooking, baking (love baking for others) and suntanning on the deck. It is a lovely small town when it’s sunny and pretty boring when it’s raining. Luckily the weather was mostly perfect. The perfect relaxing time before heading off again!
And after lots of family time it was time to pack and get ready for my Northern Europe road trip – 1st stop Hamburg.
Hamburg
I haven’t been to Hamburg for maybe 15 years and it was nice to be back. Hamburg was the perfect destination for a stopover on the way to Denmark, Sweden, etc… (soo much more to discover again). Hamburg is a major port city in Europe, connecting to the North Sea via the Elbe River. I find it has a modern and urban flair and vibe and definitely worth a visit!
Elbphilharmonie
The Elbphilharmonie building was on my list to see. With the construction finishing only in 2016 it is a concert hall in the HafenCity area (Platz der Deutschen Einheit) and is one of the largest and most acoustically advanced concert halls in the world. I didn’t go inside but it was stunning to see from the outside. It gives the port a great contrast, especially on a gorgeous sunny day.
Furthermore Hamburg is a great city to walk around, with lots of great restaurants and shops to explore. I didn’t make it to the fish market (a little bit too early in the day on this trip) but I have been there once and I would definitely recommend it.
St. Nicholas Church
For a big city I noticed that there aren’t too many high rises and the Cathedral tower is still the second largest building in Hamburg (next to the TV tower). It kept sticking out from above and was therefore very easy to find. The Gothic Revival Church of St. Nicholas was mostly destroyed during the WWII bombing.
Back then the rubble was removed, leaving the crypt and the tall and hollow spired tower standing. Being an important architectural landmark for Hamburg it is beautiful and I like the fact that it has been left intact as a historical memorial.
Finally on the road again there will be many more posts to read. Hamburg was the perfect 1st stop and it was great to be back. A lot has changed since my last visit and I dare say I prefer Hamburg much more than Berlin. Maybe it is the port and the water that makes it more interesting?! A must see city for sure!
Leaving Germany behind once again, it is time to drive further up north into Denmark! xx
