Panoramic Hamburg

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.