After taking a connecting flight to Heathrow from Leeds/Bradford Airport we had a second short BA flight into Hamburg. I had not visited Germany for many years and it was to be my first visit to this northern city. Transferring into the city centre was very easy as trains connect the airport with Hamburg Hof station. Glancing at our map, we walked the short distance to our hotel, the Baseler Hof standing proud on the Esplanade. It’s a beautiful, old hotel with elegant furnishings and attentive staff.
After settling into our room, we found an attractive cafe for some lunch before heading out to explore the city. It was an icy cold February afternoon but the sun was shining. The main square is dominated by the majestic City Hall (Hamburg Rathaus), built between 1886 and 1897 with its impressive architecture it dominates the city centre.
Nearby we came to the elegant Arkaden, a series of historic arcades inspired by Venetian architecture and lit in the fading afternoon light by ornate wrought iron lamps, its now the home to designer stores and exclusive retailers. The pathway leads along canal paths where former warehouses have been renovated into stylish waterfront apartments.
We continued exploring the city centre and were impressed with its style and sophistication. A beer hall was offering mulled wine so we stepped inside and warmed ourselves in front of a roaring fire with glasses of the warm liquor. Filled with a warm glow we returned to our hotel along the Binnenalster, the smaller of the two artificial lakes formed from the River Alster. After a rest in the hotel and pre dinner drinks it was off for dinner in a traditional ‘beer house’ a few streets away. I felt compelled to try the local delicacy, a pork schnitzel which was so enormous I hardly knew where to begin!
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A walk along the Alster in Hamburg
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Hamburg is such a great city! I’ve been there twice and definitely want to go back!
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Thanks Fl for taking an interest in my posts. I’ve only visited Hamburg once but also would like to return soon.
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We are heading to Hamburg very soon and your post and pictures have just got me so excited! Can’t wait to visit what looks like such a fantastic city!
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You will have a brilliant time, I really want to make a return visit soon, too!
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Ah the first look to hamburg, the amazing city. I’ve spent a week there instead of a week end… Every day was as the first surprising city.
http://www.mahdiaridjphotography.com/en/blog/
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Thank you Mahdi for taking a look at my Hamburg posts. I’ll look forward to viewing your photos, too.
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Strangely enough, I have never been to Hamburg. I have been to many places in Germany, but never to the birth place of my grandfather, one day I must go!! Thanks for the write-up!
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It was the first time I had visited Hamburg and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was so I hope you get an opportunity to visit for yourself.
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Nice to read.. really scenes coming to my mind.. and helpful for such a foreigner like me to get all details.. keep the good work up!!
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Welcome to my blog and thank you for your encouraging comments.
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Clearly my favourite city in the North.
On a funny side note I once stayed at Baseler Hof for a seminar and got a “warning” when coming home as they booked me into the suite – and it was a bit over the limit.
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Gorgeous! I loved Hamburg!
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Thank you, I really enjoyed it too!
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I was in Hamburg when I lived in Mannheim in 1988. I really should go back! It’s an amazing city. Thanks for the memories!
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Its a pleasure, thank you for reading my post
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Aaawww…how lovely! I grew up in Hamburg ad it’s nice to see its getting included in more and more itineraries these days. I will be back there in summer to visit family and I feel it’s time for a proper touristy look around since I live abroad now.
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I thought it was an attractive city and would be happy to make a return visit
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I’ve never been to Hamburg, but it looks lovely! So similar to Stockholm!
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Yes, it is lovely and not a city that many people choose for a city break.
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Nice set of photos.
We visited Hamburg in 2014 and totally fell in love with the city. It is one of those city who aren’t as well known as they should…well worth a visit. (Suzanne)
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That’s just what I thought! Thanks for reading and your interesting comment.
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I spent a weekend in Hamburg when I was a student and haven’t been back since – so nice to revisit in your post. Drooling over that schnitzel too!!
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Yes, not a place I would probably have put top of my list for a weekend away but my husband had a meeting there – so what better excuse to tag along, the bonus being it was really much nicer than I’d expected!
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My son and I tag along as much as possible when my husband has work commitments and often find we are pleasantly surprised by places we would never have dreamed of visiting.
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Exactly, some English towns I’d never dream of visiting often have their merits!
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So lovely to see your photos of Hamburg and think back to my holiday there last year. 🙂
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Oh yes I do remember reading the funny episode of your visit to a German sauna, that was a good read!
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