Day 4: Hamburg via Hamelin

Hello from Hamburg!

Today the tour stopped at the historic city of Hamelin, the home of the legend of the Pied Piper. The Christmas market is located in beautiful old town, surrounded by buildings from the mid 1600’s. The market is not as large a many of the others but features beautiful decorations, many themed around the Pied Piper.

One of many Pied Piper themed decorations

** Pro tip** The tour bus took a break at a rest stop and it was noted that bottled water is very expensive (close to 4 euro for a standard size bottle at this particular stop). It’s important to note that Germany’s tap water is very clean and safe, and many hotels and rest stops offer a place to refill a personal bottle. It’s also very common for public restrooms to have a fee of 1 euro.

A merry-go-round at the Hamelin Market

After a short visit and glass of wine, the tour moved on to Hamburg, which is the second largest city in Germany and offers something for everyone. For the history buffs, Hamburg was heavily damaged in WWII, and the city has kept a partially destroyed church at the centre of the city as a memorial to its history. Art fans might want to check out St. Michael’s Church, which was constructed in the 1600’s and is a work of art itself.

St. Michael’s Church decorated for Christmas

For those excited to lighten their wallets, Hamburg’s Christmas market is one of the best in the country, and Lynne’s favourite so far. Roasted nuts, carollers and Gluhwein together with beautiful light displays reminds market goers that Germany truly does Christmas like no other place.

While beautiful, the lights are less extravagant this year due to Germany’s energy crisis

After a busy day, the group settled in at the NH Altona Hotel which was similar to the previous ones- clean and comfortable.

The room at NH Altona in Hamburg

Tomorrow the tour continues to Berlin and will be staying there for two nights.