Hamburg, Germany - British Isles & North West Europe Cruises

Hamburg by night, with a glass of fresh draft beer and a visit to the famous Christmas Market is something not to be missed.

With your local guide, embark on a panoramic drive by night to discover the sparkling decorations of this celebrated city, including the bright lights of the famous Reeperbahn.

Hamburg has a long brewing pedigree with many of its products widely available abroad. The most distinctive beers of this region are Jever, Becks and Holsten. Sample some freshly drafted German beer during a stop at a typical brewery pub, before working up an appetite at the spectacular Roncalli Christmas Market.

Soak up the festive atmosphere in Hamburg’s Town Hall Square. The grand setting plays host to numerous quaint cottage style stalls, which are brightly decorated like gingerbread houses. Here you’ll find handcrafted Christmas decorations from the Erzgebirge region, woodcarvers from Tyrol, bakers form Aachen, gingerbread makers from Nurnberg and pottery from the Lausitz.

Note: Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common. Please be aware that there is usually a charge of approximately 50 cents at public facilities. Guests who wish to remain in Hamburg at the end of the tour will be responsible for their own return to the ship.

Visit the medieval town of Lüneburg, situated on the River Ilmenau, a secret treasure south of Hamburg.

Sit back and relax as you drive south to the ‘hidden treasure’ of Lüneburg city.

Lüneburg is historically connected with salt – the ‘white gold’ of the Middle Ages. The salt mines made Lüneburg a rich and powerful town and an important member of the ‘Hanseatic League’. To appreciate the beauty of this medieval city, your guide will host you on a stroll through the ‘Old Town’. As you wander through the small cobbled alleyways, you’ll discover many medieval houses as well as the historic Rathaus Town Hall.

Enjoy some free time to explore the local Christmas Market, where the booths are decorated on the Brothers Grimm fairytale themes transform Lüneburg's pedestrian streets into a magical fairytale world. Stroll through this winter wonderland, which many Germans have not yet discovered.

Enjoy a hot Glühwein and some traditional Christmas snacks whilst being surrounded by festive merriment.

Note: Journey time to Lüneburg is estimated at 45 minutes each way. There is approximately two hours’ walking included on this tour with steps. Flat, comfortable, walking shoes are recommended. Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common.

Enjoy an evening in Hamburg, see the sights and sample the famous German hospitality at a traditional brewery.

Sit back and relax as your guide hosts you on a panoramic drive around Hamburg. Have your camera to hand, as you pass by many of the City’s highlights including the century old Warehouse Quarter, Speicherstadt, City Hall and the Aussen-Alster, the top address in Hamburg where numerous consulates are located.

Enjoy a guided stroll through the infamous Reeperbahn, also known as St Pauli, Hamburg’s ‘red-light district’ as well as the theatre and nightlife mile. Your next stop is at one of the many breweries, a traditional German pub, to sample a stein of the locally produced beer.

Note: This tour includes approximately 40 minutes of walking over flat ground, with several steps to negotiate at the brewery.

This tour introduces you to many of Berlin’s highlights, leaving with the afternoon free for you to explore at your leisure.

Upon arrival in Berlin, have you camera to hand, as your guide takes you on a panoramic drive around the city’s highlights. En route, you’ll pass by the Bebel Platz where, below ground level, lies the Empty Library, the city’s most original memorial, created to commemorate ostracised authors whose books were burned.

Some of the most famous highlights which you’ll see are the remnants of the Berlin Wall; Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church; the Brandenburger Gate and the Reichstag. There will be a brief photography stop at the legendary border crossing of the former Check-Point Charlie.

During the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Berlin independently from Potsdamer Platz. Have a spot of lunch, do some shopping or perhaps visit one of the many top attractions.

Note: The coach journey to/from Berlin is approximately 3½ to 4 hours. Free time is generally around 2 to 3 hours, but this may vary depending on local conditions. The advertised drop off point may vary, please pay careful attention to the pick-up point and time. Guests will be provided with a map for independent exploration.

Visit Berlin’s top ten city sights and spend some free time shopping at one of its Christmas Markets.

Travel to Berlin by coach, where your local guide will meet you. One of your first stops will be at the remnants of the Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery. Today, approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this memorial for freedom and make it the largest open-air gallery in the world.

Some of the most famous highlights that you’ll see are; Bebel Platz where, below ground level, lies the Empty Library, the city’s most original memorial, created to commemorate ostracized authors whose books were burned. Check-Point Charlie, the legendary border crossing; the Potsdamer Platz, formerly a no man's land between East and West where the first gap in the Berlin Wall was made in 1989. Next you’ll travel to the famous Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of Berlin’s history and the Reichstag.

Drive through Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s ‘Champs Elysées’, passing the impressive Schloss Charlottenburg’, and the Gendarmenmarkt. Have your camera at the ready as you pass the main railway station, Hauptbahnhof, the building has been dubbed an architectural and logistical wonder. Next, it’s time for some retail therapy where you’ll enjoy some time at leisure to browse the colourful stalls at one of Berlin’s Christmas Markets.

A traditional German luncheon is included and will be served at a local pub-style restaurant.

Note: The coach journey to/from Berlin is approximately 3½-4 hours. This tour involves some walking at the photo stops. Guests will have approximately 45 minutes free time at the market. The time spent in Berlin will be subject to traffic conditions and may cause a variation in time given for exploration in Berlin.

Visit the medieval town of Lüneburg, situated on the River Ilmenau and discover this treasure, located south of Hamburg.

Enjoy an orientation drive of Hamburg including many of the city sights before transferring to Lüneburg.

Lüneburg city is rich in tradition and historically connected with salt – the ‘white gold’ of the Middle Ages. The salt mines made Lüneburg a rich and powerful town and an important member of the Hanseatic League. To fully appreciate the beauty, take a tour of the Old Town on foot. The many important historical buildings testify to the prosperity of the city in the Middle Ages. Even today, salt plays an important role in Lüneburg’s status as a spa town; many illnesses are treated through salt and water therapies.

During your walk through the city and small cobbled alleyways, you will see buildings such as the historical town hall Rathaus, which was built around 1240.

Enjoy some free time, exploring the medieval, quaint town centre with its numerous shops.

Note: Journey time to Luneburg is estimated at 45 - 60 minutes each way. The orientation drive will be around 45 minutes. There is approximately two hours of walking included on this tour with steps. Flat, comfortable, walking shoes are recommended. Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common. Please be aware that there is usually a charge of approximately Euro 50 cents at public facilities.

Explore the beautiful medieval town of Lübeck and enjoy a taste of Germany’s finest marzipan.

Once known as the ‘Queen of the Hanseatic League’, Lübeck is steeped in history and tradition and is, quite simply, beautiful. The old town on its oval island is one of the most impressive, intact examples of medieval Gothic architecture.

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walk of the Altstadt (old city) with the Holsten Gate. Pass by St Marien Church and the Gothic Rathaus, one of the oldest in Germany. Continue past the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital, as well as the Buddenbrooks House, home of the famous writers Heinrich and Thomas Mann, both born in Lübeck. Another fascinating attraction is the Fuechtingshof one of the quaintest of the 82 Wohngaenge (alleyways).

Visit the famous Café Niederegger, where you may enjoy refreshments and Niederegger’s popular marzipan gateau. There will also be time for you to stock up on Niederegger’s large selection of chocolate-coated marzipan.

Note: Journey time to Lübeck is estimated at 75 to90 minutes each way. There is approximately two hours of walking included on this tour with steps. Flat, comfortable, walking shoes are recommended. Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common. Please be aware that there is usually a charge of approximately Euro 50 cents at public facilities.

Explore the beautiful medieval town of Lübeck and spend some free time visiting the Christmas Market.

Once known as the ‘Queen of the Hanseatic League’, Lübeck is steeped in history and tradition and is, quite simply, beautiful. The old town on its oval island is one of the most impressive, intact examples of medieval Gothic architecture.

Your guide will host you on a walk, to soak up the medieval ambience as you stroll through the Altstadt (old city) with its well known landmark, the Holsten Gate. Pass by St Marien Church and the Gothic Rathaus, one of the oldest in Germany. You’ll continue past the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital, as well as the Buddenbrooks House, home of the famous writers Heinrich and Thomas Mann, who were both born in Lübeck. Another fascinating attraction is the Fuechtingshof, one of the quaintest of the 82 Wohngaenge (alleyways).

Next, enjoy some free time to explore the Christmas Market around the Town Hall and visit the famous Kaffee Niederegger, the large selection of chocolate coated marzipan will make a great gift for Christmas. Whilst there, why not sample a slice of their popular marzipan gateau, truly delicious.

Note: Journey time to Lübeck is approximately, 1¼ hours each way. There is approximately two hours of walking included on this tour with some steps. Flat, comfortable, walking shoes are recommended. Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common.

‘Come Together’ and follow in the famous footsteps of The Beatles and discover where the band first found fame in the early 1960’s.

Sit back, relax and enjoy your ‘Ticket to Ride’ as you follow on the trail of the ‘Fab Four’ in Hamburg. Have your camera at the ready as you pass by many of the City’s highlights including the century old Warehouse Quarter, Speicherstadt, City Hall and the Aussen-Alster, the top address in Hamburg where numerous consulates are located. You’ll also see the infamous Reeperbahn, also known as St Pauli, Hamburg’s ‘red-light district’ as well as the theatre and nightlife mile.

Your guide will host you on a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ to discover where the band first found fame and enjoy some tales about their early experiences. On the 18th August 1960, the band played their first concert as ‘The Beatles’ at the Indra Club. Enjoy a glass of beer at the club, as you soak up the atmosphere.

As it’s been a ‘Hard Day’s Night’, you’ll enjoy a brief stop at a typical German Imbiss, where you’ll sample a tasty traditional bratwurst, before you have to ‘Get Back’ to your ship.

Note: This tour includes approximately 1½ hours of walking and standing, with three steps to negotiate at the Indra Club.

Celebrate Christmas with a stop at Hamburg’s largest Baroque church, and a visit to the Christmas Market.

Visit St Michael’s Church, the largest north German Baroque church and Hamburg’s main landmark. During a brief public sermon (in German), you’ll have the opportunity to listen to a short organ recital. It is not surprising to find that this church has 3 organs, one of which contains no less than 6,665 pipes, 85 stops and 5 keyboards. The church’s high nave and resonant acoustics afford an ideal environment for the organ.

Enjoy a panoramic tour of elegant and cosmopolitan Hamburg. See the palatial office buildings, magnificent promenades and extravagant shopping malls, plus the famous Reeperbahn in St Pauli. Pass the City Hall, Germany’s oldest Stock Exchange, the Speicherstadt and the Aussen-Alster.

With your guide, you’ll explore Roncalli Christmas Market located at the Town Hall, which provides a grand setting for the city’s most charming market.

Note: This tour involves up to 1 hour of walking. Comfortable, non-slip walking shoes are recommended. The organ recital is approximately 15 minutes in duration. Guests who wish to remain in Hamburg at the end of the tour will be responsible for their own return to the ship. Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common.

Enjoy Hamburg at night during a leisurely cruise by barge on Alster Lake, with a traditional punch and Glühwein.

A short drive will take you through the centre of Hamburg and some of the finest streets, lined with sparkling Christmas decorations.

Once you arrive at the jetty, board a barge for an evening cruise around Alster Lake. On board enjoy a traditional Christmas drink and snack - a punch or Glühwein, whilst taking in the night time scenery. Pass by some of Hamburg’s 2,302 bridges - more than all of the bridges in Venice and Amsterdam combined.

Return to the ship by coach, including a short drive past Hamburg’s famous red-light district, the Reeperbahn.

Note: There are a few steps at the jetty to board the barge.

This trip presents an ideal insight into Hamburg, the ‘Free and Hanseatic City’ and Germany’s second largest city after Berlin.

Hamburg is one of Europe’s biggest ports. Elegant and cosmopolitan it is a city of palatial office buildings, magnificent promenades, international musicals and extravagant shopping malls as well as the famous Reeperbahn. Hamburg is also Germany’s greenest city with many spacious lawns and lovely parks.

Enjoy a panoramic tour showing you the highlights of this bustling city, such as the City Hall, Germany’s oldest Stock Exchange; the Speicherstadt; as well as the Jungfernstieg, one of the elegant and luxury shopping areas. Travel around the Aussen-Alster, which is one of the top addresses in Hamburg.

Continue your journey along the world famous Reeperbahn, where at the beginning of the 17th century, the Reepers made rigs. Nowadays this street, together with the Grosse Freiheit and Herbert Strasse, are referred to as ‘the mile of sin’.

Visit St Michael’s Church, also known as the ‘Michel’ by the locals. This is the largest north German Baroque church and Hamburg’s main landmark. St Michael’s has four organs, one of which is said to be the largest in the world inside a church. During your visit, you will be treated to a wonderful organ recital to appreciate the excellent acoustics of the church.

Before returning to the ship you will take a leisurely stroll through the Kramer Amts Stuben, which was an earlier form of widow housing.

Note: This tour is mainly panoramic, with only an estimated 30 minutes of walking, including a few steps at the Church.

Since the fall of the Wall in 1989, Berlin has visibly flourished and its transition has made it an attractive city full of opposites.

Travel to Berlin by coach, where your local guide will meet you. One of your first stops will be at the remnants of the Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery. Today, approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this memorial for freedom and make it the largest open-air gallery in the world.

Some of the most famous highlights which you’ll see are; Bebel Platz where, below ground level, lies the Empty Library, the city’s most original memorial, created to commemorate ostracised authors whose books were burned. Check-Point Charlie, the legendary border crossing; the Potsdamer Platz, formerly a no-man's land between East and West where the first gap in the Berlin Wall was made in 1989. Next you’ll travel to the famous Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of Berlin’s history and the Reichstag.

Drive through Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s ‘Champs Elysées’, passing the impressive Schloss Charlottenburg’, and the Gendarmenmarkt. Have your camera ready as you pass the main railway station, Hauptbahnhof, the building has been dubbed an architectural and logistical wonder. Next, it’s time for some retail therapy where you’ll enjoy some time at leisure to browse the numerous shops for souvenirs.

A traditional German luncheon is included and will be served at a local pub-style restaurant.

Note: The coach journey to/from Berlin is approximately 3½ to 4 hours. This tour involves some walking at the photography stops. The time spent in Berlin will be subject to traffic conditions and may cause a variation in time given for exploration in Berlin.

Discover Hamburg’s Jewish heritage and visit a former Concentration Camp, commemorating the lives of those who died in the Holocaust.

Your morning starts with a panoramic tour of Hamburg, where for more than 400 years the Jewish community have influenced the city’s development. En route you will pass by some of the main highlights including City Hall, Germany’s oldest Stock Exchange, and the old warehouse quarter, which was built in Gothic redbrick architecture and houses fine spices, coffee and tea from all over the world. You will also pass through the elegant shopping area of Jungfernstieg.

During your panoramic tour, you will pass by the Jewish Cemetery that dates back to the early 1600’s, as well as the site where the new synagogue stood, until its destruction during World War II. The site is now Hamburg’s Holocaust Memorial, where a voluntary group works towards ‘a world without hate’.

Situated outside Hamburg is the Neuengamme Concentration Camp Memorial. The historical site commemorates over 100,000 people who were imprisoned in the largest concentration camp in north west Germany during World War II. Free time will be given at the main exhibition entitled ‘Traces of History: Neuengamme Concentration Camp 1938–1945 and its Post-war History’, which focuses on the history of Neuengamme Concentration Camp and its satellite camps. Before departing a short drive will be made at the Memorial.

Note: There is approximately 1½ hours of walking included over flat paved ground. The advertised itinerary may operate in reverse. Please be advised that the Museum exhibits sensitive material including some graphic images and displays on the atrocities of war.