The Island of NEUWERK - where the way is the goal

"So, by which ferry did you get here?" asks the chubby little lady and her accent gives her away as Southern German. "Well, I came here walking", I beam at her, still thrilled by my hike from the mainland to the island of Neuwerk.

To Neuwerk - this way! You cannot blame people if they don't believe that you came to an island walking.

The lady looks over the rough sea where the huge waves are rolling towards the shores of Cuxhaven. She frowns and shakes her head and is, obviously, thinking I'm trying to tell her a cock and bull story.
Little does she know: Visiting the island of Neuwerk, the way is the goal; definitely.

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HAMBURG - revisited and re-edited

Hamburg revisited: Germany's second largest city prides itself to be the "most beautiful city in the world". While this, of course, is just a highly exaggerated catchphrase, it actually is alluring with views that make you yearn for undiscovered shores - Germans call it 'Fernweh' (loosely 'aching for distance') - lots of maritime charm and its historic openness to the world.

Along the river Elbe all the way to the Northern Sea...who wouldn't get the travel bug with this view?
(Photo: © Andreas Vallbracht / www.mediaserver.hamburg.de)

However, since this guide was published, it has become one of my blog's most popular posts. A valid reason to re-edit and update it!

HAMBURG - gateway to the world

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Coming to America: From Northern Germany to the "New World"

In the 19th and 20th century, millions of people left Europe via the North German ports of Hamburg and Bremen respectively Bremerhaven in search of a better life in the "New World", mostly the USA.

This sculpture called Die Auswanderer, emigrants, is standing on the shore of the river Weser and remembers the seven million passing through the port of Bremerhaven. Actually, this statue by Frank Varga was donated by the German-American Memorial Association.

As a counterpart to the arrival halls in Ellis Island, several museums in German cities remember the adventurous journeys of the emigrants in transit.

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BOOMTOWN BREMERHAVEN. A complete guide.

Last week, I've guided you through Bremen, Germany's smallest Federal States consisting of only two relatively small cities: Bremen and its exclave Bremerhaven, located about 60 km up North where the river Weser empties into the North Sea.

Let me introduce you right away to one of Bremerhaven's greatest attractions, the Seute Deern (which in Low German means Sweet Girl), world's last cargo sailing ship made entirely of wood.
Today, this fine lady houses a museum and a lovely restaurant.

Which, by the way, was the main reason to build Bremerhaven in the first place: The direct access to the North Sea.

After a changeful history, today the city is almost secretly evolving into a Boomtown.


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BREMEN - BIG and small. A complete city guide.

Bremen, located in the northwest, is definitely not Germany's most famous city. However, visitors who find their way here, will certainly be surprised - and even rewarded: The historic old town - partly a UNESCO world heritage site - deems like the capital of a fairyland; and you'll actually run into some fabulous creatures and fairy tale figures.

Mr. Roland in front of the town hall: As long as he stands tall, Bremen remains free and independent.

But there is far more to discover in this Free Hanseatic City.

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HAMBURG - gateway to the world

(Updated January 2019)

Hamburg, Germany's second largest city, prides itself to be the "most beautiful city in the world". While this, of course, is just a highly exaggerated catchphrase, it actually is alluring with views that make you yearn for undiscovered shores - Germans call it 'Fernweh' (loosely 'aching for distance') - lots of maritime charm and its historic openness to the world.

Along the river Elbe all the way to the Northern Sea...who wouldn't get the travel bug with this view?
(Photo: © Andreas Vallbracht / www.mediaserver.hamburg.de)

Hence the other slogan - "gateway to the world" - takes it already much closer to its real assets.
Whereby the city owes this description rather to the fact that Hamburg is Europe's third largest industrial port and has connected it with the rest of the world over centuries.

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