Mingle with the locals while sampling traditional German specialties at a family farm and while enjoying more treats at a bakery in the city. The Quast family has owned the farm since 1720, and they continue to grow fruits such as apples, plums and pears. You will gain an understanding of how the fruit is harvested and the challenges of running a small private farm in modern times. Feel free to ask questions while enjoying homemade fruit schnapps and cake in the farm’s café. On the return to Hamburg, you will walk among the locals in the pedestrian tunnel that was built under the Elbe River in 1911. Be sure to notice the decorative tiles depicting sea life. You will also mingle with the residents and get an authentic look at daily life in Hamburg by riding public transportation to the Effenberger Bakery. The owner will then regale you with stories of running the bakery and offer fresh-baked goods.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Interact with a local fruit farmer and baker for insights into their family businesses. • Sample traditional products made on the farm and fresh baked goods. • Mingle with Hamburg residents while walking through a tunnel under the Elbe River. • Get a genuine look at daily life by riding the public transportation in Hamburg.

Enjoy an enlightening drive through Hamburg and, as a contrast, a sobering visit to the notorious Neuengamme Concentration Camp. During World War II, more than 100,000 people endured horrific conditions at the camp while being forced to work in its brickworks. You will view the factory, the deplorable prison housing, buildings that the SS used and the House of Remembrance, where the names of the prisoners that died are written on white fabric banners. It will be a moving experience and a revealing look into the Nazi mindset. Although much of Hamburg was destroyed in the war, it was beautifully rebuilt, as you will discover by passing landmarks such as Germany's oldest stock exchange, the opulent 647-room town hall and the Gothic-style warehouse district Speicherstadt. You will also see the exquisite Jungfernstieg shopping promenade, the enormous Baroque church St. Michaelis and the Reeperbahn entertainment district, where the Beatles played long before they became famous.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Get a poignant glimpse into the horrors of World War II at a former concentration camp.
• View the prisoners' housing and the brickworks where they forced to work.
• Gain an excellent overall understanding of Hamburg on an introductory driving tour.
• See historical landmarks such as Hamburg's Gothic-style warehouse district.

Delve into the extraordinary maritime history of Kiel by visiting its namesake canal and a memorial dedicated to those who died in the World Wars. The canal opened in 1895 and is now the world’s busiest artificial waterway. It connects the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, where you will pause for photos of the Holtenau Locks at the northeastern terminus. It will be fascinating to see how the locks operate and how the canal has been altered over the past century to accommodate more ships. At the Laboe Naval Memorial, you will learn about Germany’s maritime involvement in both World Wars. The shape of the curved brick-clad structure is meant to be inspirational while the naval museum next to it is informational. Don’t miss the plaque that memorializes the U.S. sailors that served in submarines. The submarine U 995, lying next to the Museum can also be visited. Guest suffering from claustrophobia and guests with knee or back injuries should consider their medical Fitness before entering the submarine due to the cramped conditions inside the Venue.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• View the locks at one end of the Kiel Canal, the world’s busiest artificial waterway. • See a soaring monolithic memorial dedicated to those who died in the World Wars. • Browse artifacts in a naval museum.

Become immersed in the historical and architectural splendor of Lubeck, a major trading center of the Hanseatic League, whose heyday was the 14th and 15th centuries. Despite some damage from World War II, many of Lubeck’s most important buildings survived, earning the city a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its historical urban character. The basic structure of the Old Town remains unaltered, including its patrician houses, churches and salt storehouses on the Trave River. As you explore the atmospheric streets of the original downtown, you may see landmarks such as the New Market, the oldest town hall in Germany and St. Mary’s Church. The brick basilica is so distinctive that it served as the model for other Gothic-style churches throughout the Baltic. The lasting influence of the Hanseatic League will really come to life as you browse the comprehensive exhibits in the Hansemuseum, which focuses on the long history of the league.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain insight into Lubeck’s role as a powerful trading center in the Hanseatic League. • Browse a museum solely devoted to the Hanseatic League, which lasted about 500 years. • Explore Lubeck’s Old Town, a World Heritage site hailed for its historical urban character.

Walk through Kiel’s historical city center, admiring the must-see attractions before settling in for a tasting at a downtown brewery. St. Nicolas Church will surely be among the highlights as it is filled with historically significant features such as the ornately carved wooden pulpit. The original 13th-century church that stood on the site was heavily damaged in World War II and was razed to make way for the present building. Kiel is also known for its beer, which has been brewed there for more than 750 years. After following a master brewer through one of the most characteristic breweries, you will taste several distinctive beers. Fresh-baked salted pretzels will be served as an accompaniment.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Enjoy a revealing walk through Kiel’s historical and architecturally important downtown. • Tour one of Kiel’s traditional breweries with the master brewer. • Sample a number of fresh-brewed beers and snack on pretzels.

Spend hours exploring the attractions in Hamburg that sound most appealing to you with no schedule to follow but your own. With a map in hand and recommendations from the escort, you can make the most of your time in the city that Charlemagne founded on the Elbe River in 810. You might meander through the gothic-style Speicherstadt, a World Heritage site and the world’s largest complex of warehouses. Narrow canals and bridges crisscross the district, making it easy to browse the shops, museums and restaurants. 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 with distinctive features such as Germany’s largest clock tower. Because of Hamburg’s many waterways, , the downtown is lush and full of parks and gardens. Any of them would be a great choice if you wish to relax in an urban oasis.

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

Explore the landmarks of Lubeck independently and discover the attributes that earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage site designation. Despite damage from World War II, the basic structure of the oldest districts remains unaltered, including areas that flourished centuries ago when Lubeck was a major trading center of the Hanseatic League. To enter the city’s most historical part, you will pass through the medieval Holstentor gate, which leads to the Rathaus, one of the oldest town halls in Germany. Nearby, you will find St. Mary’s Church, a brick basilica so distinctive that it served as the model for other Gothic-style churches throughout the Baltic. The patrician houses and salt storehouses on the Trave River are also well worth visiting. For a sweet that has been associated with Lubeck for more than 200 years, try the marzipan at the Niederegger Cafe. The confectioners heat the almond mixture over an open fire, a method that releases its wonderfully unique aroma.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Spend free time in Lubeck, an extraordinarily historical UNESCO World Heritage site. • Take your time exploring the attractions that sound most appealing to you. • Pass through the original medieval gate, if you wish to enter the atmospheric Old Town. • Concentrate on the architectural treasures or focus on the shopping areas, if you prefer.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a leisurely walk through Kiel that will lend insight into its founding in 1242, shipbuilding traditions and how the city has rebounded since being heavily bombed during World War II. As you will see, much of the architecture is strikingly modern yet Kiel’s maritime heritage is still evident, especially around the fjord that divides the city. You will pass a former fish market that has been converted into the city’s maritime museum and see several historical ships moored nearby as museum exhibits. Ahead lies the urban lake Kleiner Kiel, the landmark city hall and the atmospheric Old Town, which has become one of the most vibrant areas for shopping and dining. Its architectural highlights include a Franciscan monastery and St. Nicholas Church, the city’s oldest building. Although parts of the church date to the 13th century and the Gothic façade is from the 19th century, the church had to be completely rebuilt after the war.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Meander through Kiel at a leisurely pace while the guide describes the highlights.
• Gain an understanding of how Kiel was completely rebuilt after World War II.
• Walk through Old Town to St. Nicholas Church, the oldest building in Kiel.
• Recognize Kiel’s maritime traditions and the influence of the Kiel Fjord.

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

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a leisurely drive through Germany’s second-largest city with stops for photos at enlightening landmarks. Charlemagne founded Hamburg on the Elbe River in 810 A.D. and 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, Hamburg was beautifully rebuilt in both instances as you will discover while viewing the opulent 647-room town hall, the Speicherstadt – a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the world’s largest complex of warehouses – and contemporary icons such as the Elbphilharmonie concert hall. Other highlights include Lake Alster, the Reeperbahn district where the Beatles played long before becoming famous and St. Michaels, an enormous Baroque church with distinctive features such as Germany’s largest clock tower. As a contrast, you will also see a modest 17th-century almshouse for the widows of shopkeepers. Free time for lunch rounds out the experience.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy a panoramic drive through Hamburg with stops for photos and exploration.
• See the Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage site red-brick warehouse complex.
• View the modern Elbphilharmonie concert hall, which sits atop a brick warehouse.
• Stop at historical St. Michaels church and see the Reeperbahn nightclub district.
• Gain insight into how Hamburg was rebuilt following World War II.

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