Northward Germany

About Hamburg

The second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. A former member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.Today, Hamburg is a major transport hub and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. Hamburg has architecturally significant buildings in a wide range of styles and only a few skyscrapers. Churches are important landmarks, such as St Nicholas', which for a short time in the 19th century was the world's tallest building. There are many parks distributed over the whole city, which makes Hamburg a very verdant city. The biggest parks are the Stadtpark, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery and Planten un Blomen.

The second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. A former member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.Today, Hamburg is a major transport hub and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. Hamburg has architecturally significant buildings in a wide range of styles and only a few skyscrapers. Churches are important landmarks, such as St Nicholas', which for a short time in the 19th century was the world's tallest building. There are many parks distributed over the whole city, which makes Hamburg a very verdant city. The biggest parks are the Stadtpark, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery and Planten un Blomen.

About Rostock

Rostock is the largest city in the north German state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Rostock is on the Warnow river; Rostock is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Rostock founded in 1419. One of the most picturesque places in Rostock is the New Market Square, with the Town Hall - that was originally built in the 13th century in Brick Gothic style, but extensively transformed in the 18th century, with the addition of a Baroque façade and a banqueting hall. The square also preserved six original, carefully restored gable houses from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Rostock is the largest city in the north German state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Rostock is on the Warnow river; Rostock is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Rostock founded in 1419. One of the most picturesque places in Rostock is the New Market Square, with the Town Hall - that was originally built in the 13th century in Brick Gothic style, but extensively transformed in the 18th century, with the addition of a Baroque façade and a banqueting hall. The square also preserved six original, carefully restored gable houses from the 15th and 16th centuries.

About Stralsund

Stralsund is a city in Western Pomerania, Germany. Main sights : The Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The heart of the old town is the Old Market Square, with the Gothic Town Hall (13th century). Behind the town hall stands St. Nicholas' Church. The square is surrounded by houses from different periods, including the Gothic Wulflamhaus, and the Baroque Commandantenhaus. Saint Mary's Church, built in 1383–1473 in Gothic style. Its octagonal tower (104 meters high) offers a magnificent view of Stralsund and the neighboring islands. The Katharinenkloster (Monastery of Saint Catherine), built in the 15th century, houses two museums: a museum of history, and an oceanography museum. The ancient refectory of the monastery is one of the most spectacular Gothic interiors in Germany.

Stralsund is a city in Western Pomerania, Germany. Main sights : The Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The heart of the old town is the Old Market Square, with the Gothic Town Hall (13th century). Behind the town hall stands St. Nicholas' Church. The square is surrounded by houses from different periods, including the Gothic Wulflamhaus, and the Baroque Commandantenhaus. Saint Mary's Church, built in 1383–1473 in Gothic style. Its octagonal tower (104 meters high) offers a magnificent view of Stralsund and the neighboring islands. The Katharinenkloster (Monastery of Saint Catherine), built in the 15th century, houses two museums: a museum of history, and an oceanography museum. The ancient refectory of the monastery is one of the most spectacular Gothic interiors in Germany.

About Berlin

Berlin, which is the capital city of Germany, became the capital city after the reunification of Germany by Bismarck in 1871. The city is surrounded by nature reserves on both banks of the Spree River. It is a city-state with a rich and complicated history that invites the tourist to many experiences ranging from visiting historical sites, museums and architecture, through culture and cuisine to shopping, shopping, shopping.

Berlin, which is the capital city of Germany, became the capital city after the reunification of Germany by Bismarck in 1871. The city is surrounded by nature reserves on both banks of the Spree River. It is a city-state with a rich and complicated history that invites the tourist to many experiences ranging from visiting historical sites, museums and architecture, through culture and cuisine to shopping, shopping, shopping.

It seems that Berlin was first mentioned in the 13th century. Although the origin of the name is not quite clear, Berlin seems pretty close to the word for “bärlein: which in German means “little bear”. That is how the bear became the mascot/symbol of the city. In the year 2001 the “lone bear” developed into the Berlin Buddy Bears, a fiberglass sculpture of bears and it seems that they have become unofficial ambassadors of Berlin. At the end of WWII Berlin was divided between two German states, so the government offices were moved from Berlin to Bonn, and that is how it was for the next forty years. The “Berlin Wall” was erected as a divider in 1961 and came down in 1989, where it stood is a magnet for tourists today as they walk along the street Friedrichstrasse. Check Point Charlie was the best-known crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War (1947–1991). Since then, the graffiti that was painted on the walls along with the Brandenburg Gate symbolize a reunified Germany and are witnesses to the past. The monument, 18th-century neoclassical Brandenburg Gate was erected by the Prussian King Frederick William II, copying the gate by the same name at the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. You can see the tall, 26-meter statue from the wide boulevard called Unter den Linden,  from the City Palace right up to Platz Pariser where the Brandenburg Gate stands. The boulevard is so called because of the Linden trees that line the street.Note: During the time of Napoleon the famous statue that is atop of the gate, the Quadriga, which is a chariot drawn by four horses, was removed but when it was returned a decade later it became a symbol of victory for Germany.  On the northern side of the boulevard is The Museum Island. This is one of the most popular visited sites in Berlin, as well as one of the most significant  museum complexes in all of Europe. Situated on Spree Island it includes five museums: The Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode-Museum and the Pergamonmuseum. A sixth building has been added - The James Simon Gallery (James-Simon-Galerie) which is a visitor center and art gallery. Take note that there is an important ‘treasure’ on the island: The Berlin Cathedral, aka The Berliner Dom. It was built by Kaiser Wilhelm II in a Renaissance and Baroque style and besides being a magnificent building, it is probably one of the most important Protestant churches in Berlin. Note: Dom - Many people think this is the German word for “dome” but it means cathedral. We suggest that you join the locals and take a break and some leisure time in the Pleasant Garden (Lustgarten), a neoclassical luscious, green park that is in front of the Altes Museum and near the majestic Berliner Dom at the other end.  Secret: A main attraction in the garden is a huge seventy-ton, granite bowl. Around 50 people were seated in the bowl at a  special breakfast to inaugurate this bowl. The Berliners call it “The Berlin Soup Bowl”. Berlin's famous Tiergarten, Grosser is located in the heart of Berlin and close to the Brandenburg Gate. It is a magnificent park with spacious green areas – just as popular as Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London. This park spreads out for about 500 acres with tree-lined paths leading to Berlin’s oldest zoo and the zoo-aquarium.Secret: In the summer months on Sunday evenings you just might be on time to hear the bells from the Carillo, which is the bell tower, 40 meters in height, situated next to the House of World Cultures (Haus der Kulturen der Welt - HKW). The HKW has presentations, concerts, films conferences and a variety of cultural activities and exhibitions throughout the year.  Everyone knows that Berlin is one of the best places for shopping!  They have great shopping centers and outlet centers with an endless range of products from latest fashion in clothing to the latest consumer goods. The culinary scene in the city is world-famous and varies from traditional German food such as potato pancakes, pea soup with sausages, potato stew to ethnic food that has been integrated into the local cuisine. There are many diverse eating establishments, food stalls and of course the finest of restaurants and cafes. There are plenty of beer houses and bars that serve beers and drinks of all types. However, the well-known “White Beer” (Weisse Beer) so called because it is  calls for at least 50% wheat to barley malt, which makes for a light colored top-fermenting beer. It is the most popular beer enjoyed by locals and tourists alike for its unique taste.

About Hannover

You are In Hannover and you have to meet someone and you ask: “Where shall we meet?” And the reply is: “You have two main options, we can meet under the Clock or under the tail (this expression predates  the cell phone).

You are In Hannover and you have to meet someone and you ask: “Where shall we meet?” And the reply is: “You have two main options, we can meet under the Clock or under the tail (this expression predates  the cell phone).

The Kröpcke Clock was and is one of the best-known landmarks in Hannover so it is an ideal place to meet, especially because it is downtown. Although today’s clock is a replica it is still impressive. The second meeting spot is where you’ll find the equestrian monument of Ernest-Augustus, King of Hannover riding a horse, in front of the Hanover main train station (Hauptbahnhof) at Ernst-August-Platz. Because of its central location, this place is one of the most popular meeting spots in the city and is particularly suitable for appointments with people coming to the city by train. Note: The horse's tail points in the direction of the entrance to the station and when planning a meeting the response was “Under the tail” (obviously referring to the horse’s tail) The 14th century Marktkirche (Market Church of Saints George and James) is a beautiful example of a brick-gothic architectural style, from the impressive saddleback roof to the bell tower, which is about 75 meters high. Near the Marktkirche is the Hanover Historical Museum (Historisches Museum Hannover).  The exhibitions and collections document the history of the city in the last 750 years.  There are beautiful and unique gardens throughout Hanover. The most famous (possibly throughout Europe as well) are the Herrenhausen Gardens (Herrenhäuser Gärten) which include the Great Garden (Großer Garten), the Welfengarten, the Berggarten, and the Georgengarten. The Herrenhausen Palace (Schloss Herrenhausen) is in the center of the gardens. There is no way to describe the distinguished, unique and elegant gardens, each with its individual personality! Festivals and events are held mostly during the spring and summer months. There is also the lovely Maschpark Gardens which was created at the beginning of the 20th century and was the first public park in Hannover. It was built on what was once the city wall and this is where they erected the new Town Hall (Neues Rathaus).  There are two museums around the lake as well, the South Saxony Museum Niedersachsisches Landsmuseum and the Sprengel Museum Hannover with about 12,000 works of German Expressionism and French Modernism in its permanent collection. Exhibits by the most famous artists from around the world hang on these walls, including: Max Ernst, Pablo Picasso, Fernand Leja, René Magritte and countless more, making it one of the most important and interesting museums in Europe. And a trip to the Hannover Zoo that has over 3000 animals, is a must. It was established in 1865 and in the last decades has evolved to show animals in their own world with almost invisible bars or fences. There is a path of about 5 km that weaves between the different areas which have been laid out as “themes”.   Local dishes and local beer make up the cuisine of this area. A favorite classic, local dish is the Pinkel sausage (Grützwurst) which is usually served with kale (Grünkohl) and potatoes. If we may add, not exactly a health food, but definitely a comfort food the smoked sausage includes pork fat, suet, bacon, onions, oat groats and spices. “Bon Appetit” or as we say in German "Guten Appetit”!

About Hamburg

The second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. A former member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.Today, Hamburg is a major transport hub and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. Hamburg has architecturally significant buildings in a wide range of styles and only a few skyscrapers. Churches are important landmarks, such as St Nicholas', which for a short time in the 19th century was the world's tallest building. There are many parks distributed over the whole city, which makes Hamburg a very verdant city. The biggest parks are the Stadtpark, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery and Planten un Blomen.

The second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. A former member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.Today, Hamburg is a major transport hub and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. Hamburg has architecturally significant buildings in a wide range of styles and only a few skyscrapers. Churches are important landmarks, such as St Nicholas', which for a short time in the 19th century was the world's tallest building. There are many parks distributed over the whole city, which makes Hamburg a very verdant city. The biggest parks are the Stadtpark, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery and Planten un Blomen.