Hamburg, GERMANY
Airing Date: Apr 14th, 2002
Hamburg is commonly associated with style, energy, parties and money. More millionaires live in Hamburg than anywhere else in Germany.
The Hamburgers, as they are known, arent short of water. Everywhere you look in Hamburg there is water. The Alster Lakes are about the size of 200 football fields and can be found right in the heart of town.
A great way to experience Hamburg is by boat. Two hour cruises run hourly in summer. The unique thing about Alster Cruises is that after buying a $12 ticket passengers can jump on and off as often as they like.
A popular exit point is The Cliff Restaurant, which offers a delicious all day breakfast including smoked salmon, prosciutto and champagne for around $17.
Hamburgers love to party and the Sunday morning fish markets are a local favourite. The markets are fun, wild and even feature a beer hall, where many people head after a Saturday night out.
The Hamburger Dom is a huge annual fun fair that runs three times a year in winter, summer and spring. The fair actually dates back to the 11th century when merchants and craftsmen used it as a market place, but now when the fairs are on they are the place to be.
The festivities of the Hamburger Dom generally kick of with a parade and then it is non stop partying for an entire month.
Entry is completely free and once inside the three kilometre area party goers are presented with an array of rides such as The Power Tower, the worlds biggest ferris wheel and the Booster, all for a cost of between six and eight dollars.
To have enough time to test the rides, stroll around the stalls and sample the cuisine, you'll need to free up at least six hours.
Everything at the Dom right down to the food is not only good but relatively cheap. For about $12 visitors can pick up a pizza and a glass of wine.
The facts
Lufthansa in conjunction with Thai Airways flies daily to Hamburg. Return economy airfares start at $1835 from Sydney, $1818 from Melbourne and Brisbane and $1751 from Perth. Includes taxes & subject to exchange rates. Conditions apply.
Lufthansa German Airlines
Tel: 1300 655 727
Rooms at the Steigenberger Hamburg Hotel, right in the heart of the city, start at $335 per double per night or $362 for a room with a water view.
Steigenberger Hamburg Hotel
Tel: 0011 49 40 36 80 60
World Cars
Ph: 1300 65 66 01
German National Tourist Office
Tel: (02) 8296 0488
