Hamburg vs. Lubeck

[noteasilyimpressed]

We are traveling HA Eurodam July and are stopping in Kiel. I think we need to be back to the ship approximately 4-5 pm. DH and I are big art/architecture aficionados. We generally do not care for spending time inside museums, but prefer a heavy walking day leaning toward visiting visually striking buildings/monuments, perhaps a little shopping, a lot of photos, etc.

 

If you had a choice, which one would you pick for the day, considering feasibility and perhaps preference? I think both look amazing, but I've only Wikipedia'd them...:o. I do like the idea of the 'Venice of the North' with Hamburg, but fear it may be 'biting off more than we can chew' for the limited amount of time we are there. However, we did Tokyo in 3 days with the aid of the Metro and pretty much covered all the major sites. We're not afraid of a little wear and tear on the joints:rolleyes:

[HeinBloed]

We are traveling HA Eurodam July and are stopping in Kiel. I think we need to be back to the ship approximately 4-5 pm. DH and I are big art/architecture aficionados. We generally do not care for spending time inside museums, but prefer a heavy walking day leaning toward visiting visually striking buildings/monuments, perhaps a little shopping, a lot of photos, etc.

 

If you had a choice, which one would you pick for the day, considering feasibility and perhaps preference? I think both look amazing, but I've only Wikipedia'd them...:o. I do like the idea of the 'Venice of the North' with Hamburg, but fear it may be 'biting off more than we can chew' for the limited amount of time we are there. However, we did Tokyo in 3 days with the aid of the Metro and pretty much covered all the major sites. We're not afraid of a little wear and tear on the joints:rolleyes:

 

Check here from some impressions:

 

Lübeck:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2008/12/lbeck-germany.html

 

Hamburg:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2008/12/hamburg-germany.html

 

If you like historical architecture you should go to Lübeck. A great size for a perfect shore excursion from Kiel.

 

If you like modern architecture incl. development projects like transition from port to office and living areas you should go to Hamburg. But you will have the same feeling like in Tokyo: you can see very few in few hours and miss something.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[seebaer]

Hello,

 

I lived in both places and would choose Hamburg. Luebeck is quaint and cute but also a little bit down on it's luck. Lots of shops are empty or being taken over by cheap chainstores. But you will be able to see some amazing old buildings if you know where to look for them.

 

Hamburg on the other hand has a very different energy. I would not try to see all the sights. There aren't that many and they tend to be a bit disappointing taken by themselves. Select one area Alster, Port or Blankenese and just walk, look around and have coffee.

 

There is no reason to visit the Reeperbahn by daylight. it's just depressing. The centrak shopping district is okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit. You'll find much more interesting little stores in Eppendorf (near the Alster)

 

Both places are very easy to reach by train. That service is quite reliable. I have never seen them more than 5 minutes late.

 

Whatever you do, don't stay in Kiel. Every time I visit I'm astonished (again) how ugly it is. But maybe that's a Lübeck - Kiel rivalry thing. But that's local politics and not very interesting.

 

Have fun in my favourite part of germany,

 

Christian

[noteasilyimpressed]

Thank you both very much:D! I was also leaning toward Hamburg, as I think we'll have our share of historical buildings elsewhere.

 

HeinBloed, if it were not for you I am sure we would be stuck in Kiel. I'm continually amazed by your generosity and comprehensive explanations of the train/metro system in Germany. Reading your old posts, I feel very confident about making the train to Hamburg on our own and saving $$$ in the process:rolleyes:.

 

Christian and HeinBloed, if you were to pick one area in Hamburg to visit--, what would be a good idea--perhaps Alster and then a little shopping? Would that leave time for a short boat ride? I'd like to see the city from the 'canal' viewpoint, if that is feasible. In Chicago, for example, it's the best way to see the architecture. I'm assuming there is a HOHO service or something equivalent, like a city bus to get from one area to another, yes? Sorry for all the questions, answer what you feel you would like to.:o

[HeinBloed]

if you were to pick one area in Hamburg to visit--, what would be a good idea--perhaps Alster and then a little shopping? Would that leave time for a short boat ride? I'd like to see the city from the 'canal' viewpoint, if that is feasible. In Chicago, for example, it's the best way to see the architecture. I'm assuming there is a HOHO service or something equivalent, like a city bus to get from one area to another, yes? Sorry for all the questions, answer what you feel you would like to.:o

 

Honestly spoken:

 

I did the river cruise last year in Chicago...

 

but in Hamburg you will not experience like the canal between Boeing and Sears Tower.

 

I would do this:

 

http://www.alstertouristik.de/e_fleetfahrt.php

 

as this includes the passages from river Alster through locks to port - a little bit Chicago feeling.

 

If you like more to see the residential areas go on this tour

 

http://www.alstertouristik.de/e_kanalfahrt.php

 

If you have plans to do things like HoHo or river/lake cruises:

 

Buy a HamburgCard for 8.50 EUR pp (incl. public transport in Hamburg) as you can get discounts from this suppliers:

 

http://www.hamburg-tourism.de/en/search-booking/hamburg-card-co/hamburg-card/hamburg-card-savings/

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[noteasilyimpressed]

Heinbloed,

Once again you've hit the nail on the head (proverbially speaking). Those boat tours are perfect! I look forward to my visit. :)

[HeinBloed]

I lived in both places and would choose Hamburg. Luebeck is quaint and cute but also a little bit down on it's luck. Lots of shops are empty or being taken over by cheap chainstores. But you will be able to see some amazing old buildings if you know where to look for them.

 

I was walking tonight from my dinner to my hotel and walk the section from Koberg to Kohlmarkt on the main pedestrian shopping street (Breite Strasse):

 

I could not find any single empty store. The "cheap chainstores" are the same like you will find in Hamburg's Mönckebergstraße or Spittalerstraße as well.

 

There is a reason why Lübeck is UNESCO World Heritage and Hamburg NOT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[Kingsbridge]

Hi HeinBloed. Those pictures of Lubeck were great. Definitely worth seeing. What if you had to chose between Luneburg and Ploen?

 

Is Luneburg an undiscovered treasure as HAL says, or not?

 

Many thanks for your help.

[HeinBloed]

Hi HeinBloed. Those pictures of Lubeck were great. Definitely worth seeing. What if you had to chose between Luneburg and Ploen?

 

Is Luneburg an undiscovered treasure as HAL says, or not?

 

Many thanks for your help.

 

Moin, moin from Lübeck...

 

you are too fast...

 

in few hours I am back in Plön again after 25 years to look around...

 

so have a look here for Lüneburg:

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2008/07/tag-2-auf-der-eurodam.html

 

The text is in German but if you scroll down after the dixie band you'll some impressions from Lüneburg which we saw on our EURODAM cruise from Hamburg.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[HeinBloed]

To keep my promise that you get an first impression of Holsteinische Schweiz which covers Ploen, Malente and Eutin here are the pictures:

 

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2009/05/holsteinische-schweiz-germany-eutin.html

 

But I need to comment them when I am back from my cruise this weekend.

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[unclerich]

HeinBloed,

 

Thanks for posting the Holsteinische Schweiz pictures. They are very helpful.

 

Richard

[deerose]

Hello,

 

I lived in both places and would choose Hamburg. Luebeck is quaint and cute but also a little bit down on it's luck. Lots of shops are empty or being taken over by cheap chainstores. But you will be able to see some amazing old buildings if you know where to look for them.

 

Hamburg on the other hand has a very different energy. I would not try to see all the sights. There aren't that many and they tend to be a bit disappointing taken by themselves. Select one area Alster, Port or Blankenese and just walk, look around and have coffee.

 

There is no reason to visit the Reeperbahn by daylight. it's just depressing. The centrak shopping district is okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit. You'll find much more interesting little stores in Eppendorf (near the Alster)

 

Both places are very easy to reach by train. That service is quite reliable. I have never seen them more than 5 minutes late.

 

Whatever you do, don't stay in Kiel. Every time I visit I'm astonished (again) how ugly it is. But maybe that's a Lübeck - Kiel rivalry thing. But that's local politics and not very interesting.

 

Have fun in my favourite part of germany,

 

Christian

I would appreciate some suggestions. My DH and I will be in Hamburg next April, 24 after a transatlantic cruise. My DH lived his very early years in Hamburg before coming to the US. He has not been back. I would like some help in deciding how long we should stay in Hamburg and some sights he would enjoy. He has limited mobility so walking much is not an option. Any help would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

[HeinBloed]

I would appreciate some suggestions. My DH and I will be in Hamburg next April, 24 after a transatlantic cruise. My DH lived his very early years in Hamburg before coming to the US. He has not been back. I would like some help in deciding how long we should stay in Hamburg and some sights he would enjoy. He has limited mobility so walking much is not an option. Any help would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

 

I would recommend to stay at MARITIM Hotel in Hamburg.

 

It's opposite of Central Station:

 

so easy to reach

 

airport by commuter train

most sights by subway, bus, commuter train

sightseeing tours starts opposite

cruise terminal by bus

 

Three days would be enough to get a good overview.

 

As your DH obviously emigrated to the US you might like to visit:

 

Ballinstadt - the Emigration Museum

 

http://www.ballinstadt.de/BallinStadt_Auswanderermuseum_Hamburg/english_BallinStadt_das_Auswanderermuseum_Hamburg_besonderes_Ausflugsziel_Ausflugsort_Erlebnisort_Freizeit_leisureworkgroup_Geschaeftsfuehrer_Jens_Nitschke_Berater_Museen_Fachmann_Entwicklung_Konzeption_Design_Erlebniswelt_Erlebnismuseum.html

 

Maybe for your husband a way to discover his own history.

 

As your husband is mobility reduced I would recommend two cruises:

 

http://www.alstertouristik.de/e_fleetfahrt.php

 

http://www.alstertouristik.de/e_kanalfahrt.php

 

If your husband still understand German I would recommend a visit of

 

Ohnsorg-Theater

 

They are playing in Hamburg-Dialect and it might brought memories back to your husband:

 

http://www.ohnsorg-theater.de/

 

A historical place to get Hamburg-Style Food would be Old Commercial Room round the St. Micheals Dome:

 

http://oldcommercialroom.de/index.htm

 

As this restaurant is founded 1795 your husband may know this restaurant from his childhood.

 

All other sights you may see by the sightseeing buses:

 

http://hummelbahn.dwcms.net/media/stadplan_linie_100.html

 

or the Hamburg by Night tour on road and water:

 

http://www.hummelbahn.dwcms.net/pages/sonderfahrten/hamburger-lichterfahrt.php

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[deerose]

I would recommend to stay at MARITIM Hotel in Hamburg.

 

It's opposite of Central Station:

 

so easy to reach

 

airport by commuter train

most sights by subway, bus, commuter train

sightseeing tours starts opposite

cruise terminal by bus

 

Three days would be enough to get a good overview.

 

As your DH obviously emigrated to the US you might like to visit:

 

Ballinstadt - the Emigration Museum

 

http://www.ballinstadt.de/BallinStadt_Auswanderermuseum_Hamburg/english_BallinStadt_das_Auswanderermuseum_Hamburg_besonderes_Ausflugsziel_Ausflugsort_Erlebnisort_Freizeit_leisureworkgroup_Geschaeftsfuehrer_Jens_Nitschke_Berater_Museen_Fachmann_Entwicklung_Konzeption_Design_Erlebniswelt_Erlebnismuseum.html

 

Maybe for your husband a way to discover his own history.

 

As your husband is mobility reduced I would recommend two cruises:

 

http://www.alstertouristik.de/e_fleetfahrt.php

 

http://www.alstertouristik.de/e_kanalfahrt.php

 

If your husband still understand German I would recommend a visit of

 

Ohnsorg-Theater

 

They are playing in Hamburg-Dialect and it might brought memories back to your husband:

 

http://www.ohnsorg-theater.de/

 

A historical place to get Hamburg-Style Food would be Old Commercial Room round the St. Micheals Dome:

 

http://oldcommercialroom.de/index.htm

 

As this restaurant is founded 1795 your husband may know this restaurant from his childhood.

 

All other sights you may see by the sightseeing buses:

 

http://hummelbahn.dwcms.net/media/stadplan_linie_100.html

 

or the Hamburg by Night tour on road and water:

 

http://www.hummelbahn.dwcms.net/pages/sonderfahrten/hamburger-lichterfahrt.php

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

Thank you so much for your valuable information and help. I was thinking three days so I imagine we could probably do enough to enjoy the adventure. Thanks again!