If You Go - Germany

How2GetAround

Hamburg Card
Travel free on public transportation in the greater Hamburg area plus get up to 50% off on over 160 attractions including sightseeing tours and harbor cruises.
www.hamburg-tourism.de/en/search-booking/hamburg-card-co/hamburg-card

German Rail Pass
Travel around the country with ease.
www.raileurope.com/rail-tickets-passes/german-rail-pass/index.html

Where2Stay

Grand Elysée Hotel Hamburg
Rothenbaumchaussee 10, Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0) 40 41 412 0
www.grand-elysee.com

This upscale hotel is independently owned and thus offers local flavor. Friendly staff members create an inviting, homey atmosphere. The hotel offers spacious rooms, luxurious amenities, numerous on-site services (including free Internet and spa access), plus a convenient location near the Dammtor train station.

Where2Eat

Krameramtsstuben
Krayenkamp 10, Hamburg
Phone.: +49 (0) 40 365 800
www.krameramtsstuben.de

This local treasure serves traditional North German fare in a quaint setting.

Riverkasematten
St. Pauli Fischmarkt 28, Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0) 40 300 60 19 0
www.river-kasematten.de

This upscale dining destination has a hip swanky vibe. Menu features creative, contemporary dishes based on local ingredients.

Schiffersgesellschaft
Breite Straße 2, Lübeck
Phone: +49 (0) 451 767 70
www.schiffergesellschaft.com/13-1-Indoor.htm

This restaurant is located in a medieval building that’s been owned by the Guild of Blue Water Captains since 1535—even more impressive, the banquet tables and benches are original. Both the satisfying regional fare and cozy historic setting are authentic and memorable.

Schweine-Schulze
Neue Straße 36, Celle
Phone: +49 (0) 51 41 2 29 44

This local favorite has a cozy atmosphere. Enjoy hearty portions of traditional regional dishes from the menu that emphasizes pork.

What2Do

Beyond Christmas Markets, each community offers attractions worth exploring in any season:

CELLE

Bomann Museum
Phone: +49 05141 12-372
www.celle.de/index.phtml?sNavID=342.108&La=2

Special Christmas exhibit features a collection of nativity scenes from around the world.

Celle Castle (Schloss Celle)
Phone: +49 (5141) 12 373

The four-winged Ducal Palace is the largest castle in the southern Lüneburg Heath region and the oldest building in town (circa 1292). Beyond impressive art, antiques and architecture, guided tours reveal the juicy love stories of former residents of the House of Braunschweig-Lüneburg.

HAMBURG

BallinStadt – The Emigration Museum
Phone: +49 (0) 40 319791616
www.ballinstadt.de

An emotionally moving tribute to the people who sailed to the New World from the port of Hamburg. The museum also supports genealogical research and manages www.ancestry.de and www.ancestry.com.

Die roten Doppeldecker
www.die-roten-doppeldecker.de

Hop aboard a red double-decker bus for a 90-minute narrated tour of Hamburg’s sights. (English tours available.)

Hamburg Dungeon
www.thedungeons.com
Learn spooky truths of Hamburg’s history.

LÜBECK

Founded in 1143 as the first German city on the Baltic Sea, Lübeck’s medieval Old Town has been designated an UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site since 1987. Surrounded by water, the city center is dominated by seven church steeples. The Gothic structure of St. Mary’s Church was constructed over the course of 100 years (1250-1350) and is the third-largest church building in Germany. The Holstein Gate, built between 1464 and 1478 and one of the best-known and best-preserved town gates from the Middle Ages.

Buddenbrook House
Phone: +49 (0) 451 122 4129
Exhibits the life and works of Heinrich and Thomas Mann.

Niederegger
Phone: +49 (0) 451 530 1126
www.niederegger.de

This top-quality marzipan producer has been a family business since 1806! At the marzipan museum learn about the history of the almond paste treat. In the retail shop peruse a breathtaking array of marzipan specialties.