Enjoy a leisurely drive past the key landmarks in Germany’s second-largest city with stops for shopping and to explore Hamburg’s beloved St. Michael’s church. After departing from the pier, you will soon begin touring Hamburg, a sprawling city on the meandering Elbe River. Charlemagne founded Hamburg in 810 A.D., so there are plenty of historical sites even though much of the city was destroyed in the fire of 1842 and by Allied bombing during World War II. Fortunately, it was beautifully rebuilt in both instances, as you will discover through landmarks such as Germany’s oldest stock exchange, the opulent 647-room town hall, and the 100-year-old Gothic-style warehouse district that borders the harbor. Known as the Speicherstadt, it is the world’s largest complex of warehouses, most of which are made of beautiful red brick. Other highlights nearby include Lake Alster and the exquisite shopping street Jungfernstieg. Its name comes from a time long ago, when families would stroll the promenade here on Sundays with their unmarried family members (“jungfer” in German means “single”). The Jungfernstieg is located nearby the townhall, where you will be given some free time. Following your free time to shop along Jungfernstieg, you will drive the Reeperbahn, a street known for its nightlife. The Beatles played in clubs here long before becoming famous. Then it’s on to the extraordinary St. Michael’s, an enormous Baroque church with distinctive features such as Germany’s largest clock tower. As a contrast, you will also visit a modest 17th-century almshouse for the widows of shopkeepers.

Admire Hamburg from two unique perspectives: while cruising along the shores of its main urban lake, and while driving past its most historical highlights. After departing from the pier, you will soon notice the abundance of waterways throughout the city. The Elbe River connects Hamburg to the North Sea, and the city boasts an extensive network of Venice-like canals. The prevalence of water keeps Hamburg’s 1,400 parks and gardens flourishing, as you will see at leafy Planten un Blomen park downtown, which you pass during your panoramic coach tour. Then, it’s on to Alster Lake, where you will enjoy a leisurely cruise across its serene waters, presenting you with a different perspective of the city. The lake was formed in the 12th century after the Alster River was dammed. Today, small pleasure vessels often sail the waters and joggers follow the paths along the shore. Following your cruise, you will resume driving through Hamburg, passing the most iconic landmarks, which miraculously survived a devastating fire in 1842 and World War II bombings. One highlight is certainly St. Michael’s Church, whose soaring clock tower has loomed over the city since the 1680s. However, locals consider the 647-room town hall, a neo-Renaissance masterpiece, to be the symbolic heart of Hamburg. As a contrast to its opulence, you will also visit a modest 17th-century almshouse for the widows of shopkeepers. Before returning to the pier, you will have some brief free time in the city center to perhaps pick up a souvenir or two.

OVERVIEW

See Hamburg’s highlights by riding a double-decker bus around the city. Sightsee from your seat, as the bus will loop back to your starting point. Charlemagne founded the city on the Elbe River in 810 A.D. and its historical landmarks include the gothic-style Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s largest complex of warehouses. Then, there is the Reeperbahn entertainment district, where the Beatles played long before they became famous, the Music Hall, and the edge of the harbor, offering breathtaking vistas of the Hamburg skyline. If you love the outdoors, you will enjoy the view of the Outer Alster Lake, a serene naturally beautiful spot. Explore a range of historical landmarks and the park-like setting of Outer Alster Lake.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Hamburg’s highlights by riding a double-decker bus around the city Sightsee from your seat.
• Explore a range of historical landmarks and the park-like setting of Outer Alster Lake.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours exploring the attractions in Hamburg that sound most appealing with no schedule to follow but your own. With a map in hand and recommendations from the guide, you can maximize your time in the city that Charlemagne founded on the Elbe River in 810. After being dropped off in the Hamburg-Mitte city center, you might browse the countless attractions within the Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the world’s largest complex of warehouses. Narrow canals and bridges crisscross the district, making it easy to meander about at your leisure. Other options well worth seeing include the exquisite Jungfernstieg shopping street, Germany’s oldest stock exchange, the 647-room town hall and St. Michaelis, an enormous Baroque church that features Germany’s largest clock tower. With so many waterways, downtown Hamburg is lush and full of parks and gardens. Any of them is a great choice if you wish to relax in an urban oasis. Explore Hamburg however you wish by spending hours of free time in the city center. Maximize your time by using the complimentary map and advice from the tour escort. Browse the shops in the Speicherstadt warehouse district if you wish. See historical sites such as St. Michaelis church and Germany’s oldest stock exchange.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Hamburg however you wish by spending hours of free time in the city center.
• Maximize your time by using the complimentary map and advice from the guide.
• Browse the shops in the Speicherstadt warehouse district if you wish.
• See historical sites such as St. Michaelis church and Germany’s oldest stock exchange.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Hamburg, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks and selfie photo frames are also available. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Hamburg, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Speicherstadt warehouse district
• City Hall
• St. Michaelis Church
• Elbphilharmonie concert hall
• World’s largest model railway

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Hamburg,
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Behold the red-brick Speicherstadt, the world’s largest complex of warehouses.
• Explore St. Michaelis, an enormous Baroque church with Germany’s largest clock tower.
• See Elbphilharmonie, a giant glass-encased concert hall atop a massive brick warehouse.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

OVERVIEW

Explore the considerable highlights of Schwerin, a fairytale city founded in the 12th century around a collection of sparkling lakes. After a leisurely drive inland to the historical state capital, you will arrive at the 635-room Schwerin Castle. The castle is the former residence of the grand duke and the present seat of parliament of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Pomerania. Lush gardens and verdant parkland surround the multi-domed castle, which sits majestically overlooking the coast of an island. Inside, you may browse the heavily gilded dining hall, the lavish floral room and the precious paintings that line the walls of the castle’s Sylvester Gallery. The displays of weaponry, porcelain and silver are equally spectacular. More architectural wonders await you on the guided walk through Schwerin’s atmospheric downtown, including the 19th-century Mecklenburg State Theater and the Gothic-style cathedral, the city’s oldest building. Time will also be allotted for you to wander about Schwerin independently and perhaps dine on your own.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a leisurely drive through the extraordinarily green Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state.
• Visit Schwerin Castle, a former royal residence that is now the state’s seat of parliament.
• Enjoy an enlightening walk through Schwerin’s historical downtown.
• Spend free time exploring Schwerin landmarks on your own.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Gain a broad understanding of Hamburg by driving past its most intriguing landmarks and by touring iconic St. Michael’s Church and the phenomenal town hall. After departing from the pier, you will soon begin touring Hamburg, a sprawling city that lies on the Elbe River. Charlemagne founded Hamburg in 810 A.D., so there are plenty of historical sites even though much of the city was destroyed in the fire of 1842 and by Allied bombing during World War II. As an introduction to Hamburg’s charms, you will drive through the 100-year-old Gothic-style warehouse district near the harbor. Known as the Speicherstadt, it is the world’s largest complex of warehouses, most of which are made of beautiful red brick. After your panoramic coach tour, you will arrive at the town hall for a visit of both its exterior and interior. This impressive neo-Renaissance masterpiece, with more than 647 ornate rooms, is the symbolic heart of Hamburg. Then, visit St. Michael’s Church, whose soaring clock tower has loomed over the city since the 1680s. The organs inside are remarkable, especially the largest one with five keyboards. Then, it’s one spectacular photo opportunity after another. You will pause briefly at the modest 17th-century almshouse for the widows of shopkeepers, gorgeous Alster Lake downtown, and you will pass by the telecommunications tower named after the German physicist Heinrich Hertz. Afterwards, you will return to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Drive through the most characteristic areas of Hamburg in the evening when the city is beautifully illuminated and celebrate the occasion with a hearty Bavarian dinner. You will pass historical landmarks such as the Speicherstadt – a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the world’s largest complex of warehouses – and contemporary icons that include the Elbphilharmonie, whose bold design features a giant glass-encased concert hall set atop a massive brick warehouse. Time will be allotted for photo stops at the massive 647-room town hall and at St. Michaelis, an enormous Baroque church with Germany’s largest clock tower (depending on the time, an inside visit will not be possible). Afterwards, you will settle in for an delicious Bavarian meal at Hofbräuhaus, a traditional beer hall in the heart of Hamburg. Although the menu changes periodically, you can expect to dine on succulent schweinshaxe, which are roasted skin-on pork knuckles, and Knödel potato dumplings. A cold liter of beer will perfectly complement the meal.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an enlightening drive through Hamburg at night when the city is most radiant.
• See the Speicherstadt, a massive warehouse complex that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• View the modern Elbphilharmonie concert hall, which sits atop a historical brick warehouse.
• Enjoy a traditional Bavarian dinner and a Maß of beer, which equals a full liter.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore glorious Lubeck, a city of such important historical character that it has earned a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for its entire Old Town Island. After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely 90 minute drive to Lubeck, a major trading center of the Hanseatic League that once controlled commerce here. Despite damage from World War II, many of Lubeck’s medieval buildings survived. In fact, the basic structure of the Old City remains unaltered, including its 15th- and 16th-century patrician houses, churches and salt storehouses on the Trave River. Enter Lubeck’s original downtown through the iconic Holstentor gate and then meet your guide for a walking tour of this amazing city. As you make your way through the atmospheric narrow streets, you will pass landmarks such as the Rathaus, one of the oldest town halls in Germany. Its distinctive blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles make it a must-see destination. Take in the beauty of St. Peter’s Church, an 800-year-old landmark now used solely as an event center, and then pass by the St. Mary’s Church. The brick basilica is so distinctive it served as the model for other Gothic-style churches throughout the Baltic. Stop to sample marzipan gateau at a local cafe. According to local lore, marzipan became popular here in the early 15th century when a famine forced bakers to make bread from almond meal, the chief ingredient in marzipan. The cafe’s marzipan gateau recipe is a closely guarded secret and after one taste of this creamy dessert you will understand why. Before re-boarding your coach for the return to the pier, you’ll have a bit of free time to look around on your own or perhaps grab a quick bite to eat.