Hamburg presents new tourism highlights and openings

Visitors to Germany’s second largest city will find new sightseeing and hotel choices, a unique culinary culture, and two world-class art exhibitions.

Known for Beatles history, the trendy HafenCity district, a busy port and elegant maritime lifestyle, Northern Germany’s city of 1.8 million is becoming increasingly popular with travelers from North America. In the first six months of 2012, Hamburg welcomed 74,000 visitors from the USA and 8,800 guests from Canada, an increase of 8 and 9 percent respectively, compared to the same period a year ago.

While cultivating its traditional charm and Hanseatic elegance, much is happening in Hamburg as the city’s tourism infrastructure grows and new hotels, top restaurants, highlights and special tours make for an exciting “new” German destination for visitors from Europe and beyond.

New highlights and attractions include:

Two Exhibitions Highlight Work of Alberto Giacometti, Jan-May 2013
Hamburg’s major art institutions will be dedicating two parallel exhibitions to the life and work of Swiss sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti (1901-66). From January 25 until May 19, 2013,Giacometti. The Playing Fields, is presenting four decades of the surrealist artist’s works at Hamburg Kunsthalle, including his stretched, over-sized sculptures of human figures. At the same time, from January 26 until May 20, 2013, Alberto Giacometti. Encounters, will comprehensively focus on the artist’s portraits at the Bucerius Kunst Forum.

Highspeed Sightseeing by RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat)
Designed for offshore missions and used by Navy Seals, RIB’s (Rigid Inflatable Boats) now take Hamburg visitors on high adrenalin sightseeing tours. Passing the major sights of the harbor and up the Elbe river, the light boats reach speeds of over 60 mph. www.rib-piraten.de (in German).

New Arctic Sea Display at Hamburg Zoo
In June 2012, Hamburg’s Hagenbeck Zoo reopened its modern version of the Arctic Sea display that had been part of the animal park since its inception in 1907, but was destroyed during WWII. Visitors can now get a close-up look at polar bears, walruses and penguins, during an almost half-mile, 1 ½-hour walk that takes them above and below the water level. Built at a cost of 20 million Euro, the attraction aims to keep the animals in an innovative nature-like environment.

“Eat-the-world“ Hamburg City Tour Offers Culinary and Cultural Experience
Taking visitors off the beaten paths, Eat the World presents a unique cultural experience by sampling the flavors of Hamburg’s diverse culinary scene. From street food to local staples to delicatessen, the three-hour tours include seven food stops, and plenty of information on the city and its culinary scene on the way. Guests can choose between different neighborhoods, including the “sinful” St. Pauli district and the trendy Ottensen quarter. Tours are offered in English, from Euro 30.

A World of Chocolate at HACHEZ Chocoversum
It’s all about chocolate at Hamburg’s CHOCOVERSUM. Open since December 2011, the interactive exhibition explores all aspects of chocolate making, ranging from the cocoa bean to the finished product. Chocolatier Joseph Emile Hachez founded his chocolate factory in 1890, and it still produces chocolate from the original recipes. An extensively stocked gift shop offers the whole array of Hachez chocolates. Special chocolate events can be arranged. (Meßberg 1, Hamburg, T +49 (0)40 – 4 19 12 30-0).

New Blockbräu Beer Hall Serves Northern German Brew and Hamburg Specialties
Open since April 23, 2012 – the anniversary of the 1516 German Beer Purity Law – the Blockbräu Brewery serves up to 1,000 patrons at its new waterfront beer hall located at St. Pauli harbor. Hamburg’s answer to the traditional Bavarian beer hall, the Blockbräu brews its beers on site and serves it with typical Northern German fare. Making new friends from around the world, patrons indulge in local culture at long tables in the modern-style hall or enjoy the harbor views from the over-sized terrace.

Where to stay:
Arcotel Onyx Hamburg
Open since May 2012, the 4-star superior, family-run Arcotel Onyx Hamburg features 215 air conditioned rooms and suites, and an extravagant design of warm tones, high quality furnishings, and three theme rooms that reflect the hotel’s surroundings. Prominently located in the city’s Reeperbahn party and entertainment district, the Onyx is only a stone throw away from theaters, harbor and businesses.

Hotel Scandic Hamburg Emporio
Even before it opened on September 1, 2012, the new Scandic Hamburg Emporio became eco-certified and won awards for its sustainable building design. The centrally located flagship hotel offers 325 spacious, eco-aware, non-smoking rooms, as well as conference facilities and the H2O restaurant run by celebrity chef Jaime Oliver. In line with Hamburg’s environmental vision as ‘European Green Capital 2011’, the hotel takes pride in providing innovative solutions in terms of sustainability, accessibility and design. A water theme complements the Northern European design of blond woods and warm colors, adding to the soothing environment and maritime surroundings.

Barcelo Hotel
Open since March 2012, the 4-star Barcelo Hamburg offers 193 guest rooms and suites, cool design and city views. Located in a quiet side street near the inner city Alster lake, the Barcelo is close to Mönckebergstrasse and Jungfernstieg, Hamburg’s well-known high-end shopping streets.

Information on travel to Hamburg at www.hamburg-tourism.de

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