From Hamburg to Travemunde

Hamburg, the “pearl of the north”, has a lively atmosphere and rich history. From the vibrant harbour with its majestic ships to the historic red-brick warehouse district, the city features a highly distinctive flair. The Alster, surrounded by green banks, invites you to take relaxing boat trips. The historic old town, with its charming lanes and imposing town hall, exudes a sense of tradition. Culturally, Hamburg offers a variety of museums, theatres and concert halls that inspire visitors with art and music in abundance. The famous Reeperbahn in the St. Pauli district attracts visitors with its diverse nightlife. Hamburg is a city that manages to combine tradition and modernity in a fascinating way.

Karlskrona is a maritime city full of history and beauty, situated in the archipelago of the southern Swedish county of Blekinge. Founded in 1679 as the home base of the Swedish fleet, Karlskrona extends over several islands connected by bridges. The central square Stortorget, the largest historical square in Sweden, is lined with magnificent baroque churches and the old City Hall. The nearby island of Stumholmen houses the impressive Naval Museum as well as shipyards and military buildings that tell centuries of history and are now open to the public.

Stockholm is an enchanting capital thanks to its unique location on 14 islands, which are connected to each other by a multitude of bridges. Set between Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea, the city is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”. In the old town, Gamla Stan, with its winding streets and historic buildings, you will find stylish bistros offering New Nordic Cuisine. On the neighbouring island is the impressive baroque Royal Palace, while the Vasa Museum with its restored war ship brings the city’s fascinating maritime history to life.

Picturesque Tallinn lies right on the Baltic coast and is enchanting with its medieval old town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Surrounded by a city wall with 26 defence towers, Estonia’s capital has charming little streets, historic buildings and a fascinating mix of architectural styles. Toompea Hill, Tall Hermann tower and the impressive St. Mary’s Cathedral offer a wonderful insight into the city’s history, while the Town Hall Square in the centre of the old town is a lively place to explore.

Arriving in the port of Helsinki is an experience in itself: Finland’s capital lies in a picturesque location on a peninsula, surrounded by the idyllic little islands of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki is a melting pot of lively city life and lush green nature. The Kauppatori market square is an attractive place with its fruit and souvenir stalls, while the historic Vanha Kauppahalli indoor market offers local delicacies. Uspenski Cathedral is captivating with its grand architecture and wonderful views over the city. Helsinki Cathedral, the city’s snow-white landmark with green domes, is no less impressive. Explore this city full of contrasts on a discovery tour and enjoy the interplay between culture, nature and Nordic charm.

Once known as Memel, Klaipeda is an inviting place for a relaxing stroll through its restored old town and past charming half-timbered houses along medieval cobbled streets. The former City Hall, where the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II and his wife Queen Luise took up residence in 1807/08 to escape from Napoleon, is particularly worth a visit. The theatre, which Richard Wagner visited in 1836, is also captivating thanks to its historic charm. In front of the theatre is the Simon Dach fountain with a statue of Annchen von Tharau, which was faithfully restored in 1989. In the surrounding area, you can see the Curonian Spit with its shifting sand dunes which inspired Thomas Mann – an impressive example of the unspoilt beauty of Lithuania.

Surrounded by wild natural landscapes and rugged cliffs lies Gdansk – a city full of history, culture and unique scenery. The city looks back over more than 1,000 years of history, including rule by the Teutonic Order, its heyday as a wealthy Hanseatic city, and the partitions of Poland in the 18th century. Today, Gdansk is a cosmopolitan city with an interesting past. A walk through the old city gates, through the Long Market or along the Motlawa provides a variety of views and leads you to many shops, restaurants and cafes, where you can take a relaxing break. Gdansk combines historic grandeur with modern charm and is a real highlight on the Polish Baltic coast.

Travemunde has a fascinating history as a traditional seaport. Today, it attracts visitors with its charming Baltic Sea flair. It’s an ideal starting point for boat trips, walks along the beach and discovering nearby Lubeck. Travemunde is located about 70 km (43 mi.) from Hamburg and 280 km (174 mi.) from Berlin.