I have four days left and then I am gone. My friend has been planning the whole trip, but I have the basic outline. We will be based in Magdeburg, and will camp around northern Germany for the three weeks.
1) day trip to "Lutherstadt Wittenberg" as it is called in germany.
2) camping close to Berlin. We will see Berlin and Sansoussi in Potzdam (a castle).
3) north to the Mueritz.
4) Then Hamburg,
5) after that Holland yet
6) and than Hannover
What every input or other ideas for places to go that anyone has would be wonderful. It is all greatly appreciated, as I have never been to northern Germany. Thank you

ttt

Here are some charming towns in No. Germany - roughly between the area you are staying in and Hamburg - for you to look into. The architecture and ambiance in these places is exceptional.

Goslar
Hameln
Hildesheim
Rinteln (and nearby Bueckeburg Palace)
Northeim
Celle
Luebeck

lauren,

I am based in Hamburg and have posted quite a few suggestions earlier on this board.

Luebeck is certainly worth a daytrip from Hamburg and if you search for Luebeck here, you will come across some suggestions I have made, too.

Should you need any info reg. lodging, dining, pls specify your needs, and I'll try to help.

I am in a bit of a hurry, I will report back later.

hsv

As far a lodging goes my friend, who is German, has planned a camping trip. I'm not sure if it is the same kind of camping we do in Wyoming. I really wanted a cultural feel, and would love to see museums, etc. I am an education major hoping to teach History, so I love the whole aspect of that. Dining would also be a great help. I have been reading my guide books, but am still a little lost,
Thanks

lauren25,

as far as Hamburg is concerned, I would suggest the following:

Definitely visit St. Michael's church towering above the River Elbe. The interior is understated but sort of beautiful (with a bit of luck the organ will be playing, which has an impressive sound) and you can climb the squire for a wonderful view across town and the River Elbe.

From there, I would proceed to Landungsbruecken to board one of the smaller vessels called "Barkasse" to take you on a tour of the port including the historic warehouse district called "Speicherstadt". Pls. note that only those small boats will take you there.

You might then proceed to Kunsthalle by the Central Station called Hauptbahnhof which displays a collection of painintings from all sorts of eras including a vast collection of modern art in an adjacent cubical building.
Alternatively, Bucerius Kunstgalerie is a private museum housed in the basement of Bank "HypoVereinsbank" right next to City Hall and offers changing exhibitions of usually extremely good quality.

You might then want to wish to pay City Hall a visit, which at certain times can be toured and is indeed worth a look at.

Best shopping is to be found close to City Hall in the shopping arcades around Neuer Wall and Jungfernstieg streets. Major department store are on Moenckebergstraße, also starting right in front of City Hall.

If you feel for some walking, make it to the shores of the Outer Alster (Aussen-Alster) lake in the City Center and walk along its Western shore (where the American Consulate General is located). Have a drink on the terrace called Bodo's Bootssteg at Alte Rabenstr. boat berth.
In order to return to the City Center (or to get there) you can always take one of the white boats cruising regularly across the Lake and the adjacent canals called "Alsterdampfer" (Alster Steamer).
Alternatively you might rent a small sailing boat (tricky winds, though) or a rowing boat to get some wonderful glimpse of the city skyline from the water.

If not by boat, the city's skyline can best be viewed from the street "Schoene Aussicht" on the Eastern Shore of the Alster close to a small pavillion called "Alsterperle" in the Uhlenhorst district of town.

There are some double decker buses (the RED ones) running on different routes that offer sightseeing tours of the city and feature a hop on hop off option. They might be a possibility to consider and will take you to almost all spots mentioned (and some more, e.g. they will drive down Elbchausse with its stately mansions overlooking the River).

For the evening, I would suggest that you find out whether a ballet is playing at the Opera. American John Neumeier has been the director of the ballet for decades and usually offers widely acclaimed world class performances.

Alternatively, a visit of the Lion King Musical being played in a theatre right in the docklands of the port might be an option. You get there by a ferry running from Landungsbruecken.

Some restaurant suggestions for dinner:

By favorite currently is Stocker on Max-Brauer-Allee in Altona (Altona station on public transport, then approx. 800 m to the left in direction of the Theater for Children)district offering top-class Austrian cuisine and sinfully good desserts. They have great (Austrian) wines and very pleasant service. It does come at a small price, but is worth it IMO. If you stick with the "Tafelspitz" from the classic section of their menu, it is even a good deal as in the comparatively moderate price of around € 17.- there is even a soup for a starter included.

Another good option would be "Fischmarkt" in Ditmar-Koel-Str. (Baumwall station close to the port, then approx. 500 m inland). Mind you, this one is not located on a famous square of the same name.
They offer the freshest of fish in a very pleasant atmosphere.

Rive is a place having been around for 15 years, I assume being located right atop the River close to the fish market. It can get a bit noisy, but also offers some good seafood.
The same goes for the classic and well renowned "Fischereihafen Restaurant" close by, also offering a view of the River and preparing reportedly the city's best fish. It's a bit stiff atmosphere, though. Very formal.

A famous Hamburg excursion spot called "Suellberg" has been successfully revived and is located in Blankenese district quite a bit out of town. They feature a ridiculously expensive gourmet restaurant called Seven Seas and a more reasonably priced Bistro with good cuisine. Chef Hauser used to work at the famous Berlin Adlon hotel catering for all sorts of heads of state. Splendid view of the River.

For lunch, Cafe de Paris close to City Hall might be an option (Kleine Johannisstr.). They serve classic French bistro fare in pleasant surrounidngs.

The Literaturhaus Cafe (Literature House Cafe) in Uhlenhorst district clsoe to the Outer Alster Lake, which usually is mentioned in guides, offers a good breakfast and also some nice Lunch in a gorgeous Art Deco setting.

To top off your day, a great stylish bar is Bar Savanh at the Restaurant Indochine in Neumuehlen overlooking the fascinating container terminal of the port (access best by either bus from Altona station or ferry to Neumuehlen).

Another option might be to lounge at one of the artificial beach clubs close to fish market (again access best by ferry to "Fischmarkt" berth).

Or do as countless Hamburgians have done for decades and visit "Strandperle", a kiosk on the Elbe beach not far (approx. half a mile) down the River (in the direction of the sea) from the Neumuehlen/ Oevelgoenne berth. Buy a bottled beer and sit in the sand to enjoy the sunset and fascinating panormama of ocean going vessels being loaded and passing by. On your way back, you might pass the cute little captains' houses built along a pedestrian alley by the river.


I will gladly point out more options, if you specify your needs.

For Luebeck,

take a stroll through Old Town. It oozes history in itself.

Take a look at the main churches of St. Marien and the Dome which are spectacular.
Pay a visit to Thomas Mann house, which is dedicated to the famous poet Nobel Prize winner and IMHO best German writer ever, outperforming even Goethe in his command of the language, if such a comparison was possible (during the war he lived in Pacific Palisades, CA and taught in Princeton, too).
Holstentor is a well known city gate that used to be pictured on Germany's 50 Deutsch Mark bills and today houses a scary museum of Torture.

A good (and obvious) option for Lunch would be "Schiffergesellschaft" which everybody will be able to point out.
Alternatively, very well prepared food can be found at Luebecker Hanse, which is a bit hidden close to the Museum for dolls. I will try to find out the exact address.

But do save some room anyway for a sumptuous coffe plus cake at Niederegger's famous cafe. Everything Marzipan (sweets from almonds) is on sale on the ground floor and you should definitely bring some as a souvenir (although I don't know whether US customs approve of it). It is done to a secret recipe and defines how marzipan should be prepared IMO.

Enjoy your trip!
hsv

lauren25,

two more things:

If you decide to visit St. Michael's church in Hamburg, there is right behind the building a small alley called "Krameramtgasse" that has not been destroyed during WW II and can well give you an idea of what Hamburg looked like during the last two centuries.

More important probably: Summer so far has been non-existant throughout the whole of Northern Germany (and to some extent Southern Germany, too) here. Temperatures stay in the low 60s during the days with frequent rainfalls. During nighttime you might encounter temperatures in the high 40s (Two weeks ago I slept on a boat on the occasion of some races up at the Baltic Sea and the nighttime temperature dropped to 4 degrees Centigrade, equalling 40 degrees Fahrenheit...Frankly, I have never encountered this before and I keep my fingers crossed for you that things will change and we might somehow get a summer resembling the last one to some extent!

I did not want to rain on your parade, but just caution you to be prepared and bring some warm clothes, esp. to spend the night in when camping!

Have a fun trip, still
hsv

hsv
your help has been greatly appreciated. I leave in the morning, less than twelve hours to go. I will try to do a trip report when I get home...may be a while, as Frontier Days starts the day I get home. Thank you all for your help.
Lauren