"WELCO ..." a Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg Travel Page by eden_teuling

THE FREE AND HANSEATIC CITY OF HAMBURG and there is so much in these words that there isn't room enought to explain it all.

Let me tell you that HAMBURG is a wonderful city to visit (again and again) : there is the Port, lots of water, it is lively, busy-buzzing, green, vibrant and has so many special, wonderful, exciting things to offer every traveller.....you will hardly know where to start, but....I could help you a little bit.

A bit of HISTORY is necessary here.

HAMMABURG was built in the 9th Century to replace the fortifications and soon became an important trading centre.
There have been many wars, many enormous fires and yet....the city went on growing and prospering, thanks to its geographical position on River Elbe....

Now it is a thriving, busy, pleasant city where it is good to stay for a while to explore it all!
Remember that it isa huge city with 1.8 million inhabitants....on 755 square kilometres.

You will see these figures all over the city, especially around the Main railway station and the city centre: they represent the former the WATER CARRIERS of old times; there must have been hundreds of them and I suppose their lives weren't that easy or pleasant.

Because of the Alster, River Elbe and the many canals, together with the many parks Hamburg has the name of GREEN METROPOLIS AT THE WATER'S EDGE.... btw there are 2.321 bridges you can cross.....the canals are known here as FLEETE

Tourist information and reservations: call 040/30051 -3 00 or write to the Tourismus Zentrale Hamburg GmbH, P.O.Box 102249, 20015 HAMBURG or visit the Tourist Offices, there are 2

1. at the main Railway station
Main exit Kirchenallee open DAILY f7AM - 11PM, including Public Holidays; tel. 040/30051-200 and...

2. at the Port
St. Pauli landing bridges, between bridges 4 - 5 April - October daily 8AM - 7PM, November - March daily 10AM - 6 PM;
tel. 040/30051-200

Both are easy to be found!

Although HAMBURG is Germany's largest industrial CITY and although its centre was completely destroyed by the GREAT FIRE in 142 and once again during the Second World War in 1943 (by bombing), it is an extraordinarily beautiful city and worthy of your visit at any time of year!

Now you can go on to the TIPS and TRAVELOGUES that I am ready to build with pleasure: sweet memories will relive.....

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Before starting a city walk, it is wise and recomendable to BUY A HAMBURG CARD

It is your choice whether you want / need a single ticket, a day ticket, a multi-day ticket of a ticket for a group...but I advise you to by one..... free travel on public transportation (HVV) in Hamburg's metropolitan area, special rates when exploring the city by boat excursions in the port, on the Alster Lake or on guided bustours and...when visiting many other sights. Also free or reduced admission to many museums: doesn't that sound great?

A walk through Hamburg's ALTSTADT starts at the MAINLINE RAILWAY STATION. This has the largest free-span root of any railway station in Germany and measures 120 x 140 metres and has a height of 35 metres.

Under its roofs is a large number of restaurants, kiosks, shops which are all particularly popular because they can stay open longer in the evenings and in the weekends.

Now I have to leave the initiative to you....walk and enjoy as I did.....because of the sheer size of the city you will certainly need more than 1 or 2 days....it is a place to come back to, time and again and each time you will discover new and interesting, exciting things......

And each time you will enjoy THE ATMOSPHERE.....REALLY UNIQUE AND ALWAYS HEARTWARMING....

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To end this INTRO with: an old photograph of a WATER CARRIER....called "DER HUMMEL".....

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