Time to tell another story. Or two. After publishing well over 5.000 words of extensive executive summaries on the #STSHamburg Social Travel Summit in Hamburg, I have finally deserved some rest. “Dear Tanja … Dear Greg …!” My friends living in & near Hamburg are quick to reply: “Let’s meet and explore a part of Hamburg I particularly like”, Tanja smiles. “We usually take our bikes out here, right by the river Elbe. Next time you come, we should definitely aim for a cycling tour around town!” This is Tanja, brave enough to venture out on a trip with me exploring the Burgenland and all its hills (on an E-Bike, mind you!). Now, it is her turn to show me what she particularly likes about Hamburg, her home town.
Hamburg ist beautiful. Especially now in the spring. Consider heading out to “Blankenese” for a perfect stroll in those pretty & absolutely picturesque surroundings …
… among millionaires. Yes. “The houses you can see here”, Tanja explains, “are among the most expensive in the whole of Hamburg. And Hamburg itself is already quite expensive.” Fancy living here? Let’s get carried away for a moment …
… a moment of spring bliss in Blankenese …
… Hamburg’s prestigious living district right by the Elbe river, complete with its own sandy beaches …
… as well as some houses that still feature reef-style rooftops!
Love all the little alleyways around here: “Strandtreppen” in Blankenese!
Back in town, it’s “Fischbrötchen” time – a classical Hamburg Must-Eat!
For a different point of view, consider going for a wander through the “Elbtunnel” near the famous Hamburg Fish Market …
… itself a historical monument celebrating more than 100 years of engineering in the city of Hamburg.
DANKE for such a wonderful, close-up visit of your own city dear Tanja! Check out Tanja’s “Heimatliebe” post on things to see & do (and eat!) in her beautiful home town.
Next thing I know, I find myself in Lüneburg, hosted by my fellow Canadian friend & travel blogger Greg to explore what it is about this town …
… that has made him fall in love with the place, as well as its people. Well Greg, I can definitely see that now! And I recommend everyone, absolutely everyone who goes to see Hamburg not to miss Lüneburg, a truly peaceful, quiet little gem less than an hour away from Hamburg Main Station. The city of Lüneburg itself is a university town alive with young people from all parts of Germany and abroad. It is here where I find a lot of similarities in both character as well as the size of town compared with my own home town of Krems! Both cities are known for their picturesque, historical allure, their actual popularity as a student town as well as their proximity to the nearest big cities – Hamburg & Vienna that is. Have a look around town here with me!
Arriving in beautiful Lüneburg …
… I am greeted by dear Greg, who has been a local long enough to know where to take me immediately – into the nearest, historical candy shop that is ..!
The houses & pretty historical facades of Lüneburg …
… render the city a unique flair that has me feel welcome immediately.
From its parks …
… to the city’s countless historical houses …
… church towers …
… and spring flowers, a sense of romance hangs in the air.
Must be the beauty of spring – as well as Greg’s tremendous hosting skills! Thank you dear Greg for such a wonderful welcome to Lüneburg!
For some more beauty & inspiration of visiting northern Germany in the spring, head over to my Flickr Photo Gallery highlighting many more moments of joy and colours:
See you next time, Hamburg & Lüneburg! I’ll definitely be back for more. And you? 🙂