History and Highlights of Hamburg

Discover 's 1200-years of Hamburg history and its main highlights on this 2-hour walking tour. Trace the modest beginnings of Germany's second largest city when its starts as the Hammaburg in the 9th century A. D. Follow its not so modest rise as a trading powerhouse during the heyday of the hanseatic league in the middle ages and its subsequent commercial success as the world's second biggest harbor until the turn of the twentieth century. Learn about the spirit of enterprise and humility that makes its reserved people (referred to as Hamburgers) as some of the most contended folk south of Scandinavia. Discover its culinary highlights some of which have been export successes and other's that have never really left its borders. And finally, be impressed by its ambititous plans to become a modern and sustainable city that offers an enviable quality of life for its 1.9 million inhabitants.

- We start at the Alster lakes, Hamburg's liquid center and evidence to its special relationship with water. - We walk uphill to St. Peters and discuss the city's role in the christianization of the north as the "Hammaburg". - Its rise as mercantile powerhouse during the times of the Hanseatic League and its civic pride as a republic are seen best in its impressive Rathaus. - We visit the UNESCO-recognized office quarters next and be impressed by the gem of brick expressionism - the Chilehaus. - The ruins of St. Nicholas's church make the site for discussing Hamburg's destruction during the WW2. - Across the road lies Deichstraße - Hamburg's oldest street, where many eatries offer local cuisine. - Afterwards, we cross the Elbe and marvel at Speicherstadt - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - We end the tour in its latest district, the Hafencity, where its gem of contemporary architecture - the Elbphilharmonie - graces the city's skyline.