Bus from Cologne to HAMBURG

This extremely old cathedral city on the river Rhine is one of the most important commercial and cultural centers in western Germany. Cologne (Köln in German) is famous over the world for its 12 great Romanesque churches - especially the magnificent Cologne Cathedral - all an easy walk from the historic Old Town, and its university is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. Today, the city remains one of Germany's most important cultural centers, home to numerous arts and entertainment facilities, along with more than 100 galleries and some 36 museums.

 Cologne Cathedral: Near the left bank of the Rhine, Cologne's towering landmark, the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary, is a masterpiece of high gothic architecture. One of the largest cathedrals in Europe, it was started in 1248 and is considered the most ambitious building project of the Middle Ages. As impressive as its 157-meter tall twin towers is the cathedral's incredible interior. Covering an area of 6,166 square meters and boasting 56 pillars, highlights include the 12th-century Reliquary of the Three Kings created by local goldsmiths; the Treasure Chamber with its many precious objects, including ancient reliquaries and manuscripts; and the panoramic views from the south tower, reached by more than 500 steps that pass the cathedral's famous bells.

Cologne's Old Town: As you explore Cologne's numerous historic churches and museums, you'll crisscross the city's lovely Old Town quarters with its many unique charms. In addition to old churches such as Great St. Martin, you'll find yourself traversing countless quaint alleys lined with traditional old houses, many now home to boutique shops, galleries, cafés, and restaurants. And with its many pleasant paths along the Rhine, you'll find ample opportunity to enjoy great views as you plan your route through this ancient city. You'll also find yourself in awe of the countless monuments and fountains that adorn the area, along with its Archeological Zone with its many ancient ruins and artifacts.

The Wallraf-Richartz and Ludwig Museums: Art lovers will want to visit both the Wallraf-Richartz Museum and the Ludwig Museum when in Cologne. Housed in one of the city's newer architectural structures, these two excellent galleries cover a wide range of European painting, with works by Rembrandt, Manet, Renoir, Leibl, Liebermann, and Slevogt.

St. Gereon's Church : Romanesque St. Gereon's is perhaps Cologne's most unusual church. It was built on the site of a former 7th-century church, which was itself constructed on a ten-sided domed structure dating from Roman times (and still visible) beginning in 1151. Dedicated to Saint Gereon, this visually appealing structure includes highlights such as its unusually long choir as well as its numerous medieval murals, mosaics, and ancient relics.

The Old Town Hall: Cologne's Old Town Hall, the Kölner Rathaus, is the oldest public building in Germany. With a rich history dating back more than 900 years as the focal point of the ruling classes during medieval times, the building you see today reflects a number of different architectural influences, including the 14th-century main building, the 15th-century tower, and a Renaissance-style loggia and cloister.

Cologne is known for all these things, but especially Kölsch beer.  A straw-coloured beer with a biscuit flavour and fleeting freshness, it is served in small .21L glasses called stange.  No need to hail the bartender at any bar in this city, beer will continue coming until you place your coaster over your glass.

 

Hamburg - the Gate to the world, the City of bridges or Venice on the Elbe. Hamburg belongs to one of the ten most popular tourist destionations in Europe. With its sitizens numbering around 1,79 millions, Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany after Berlin, the eighth biggest city in the European Union and consequently the biggest city that is not at the same time the capital of a state. Hamburg is divided into seven districts and 104 city parts. Hamburg is located in the northern Germany with the warm maritime climate. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of 17.4 ° C, and the coldest month is January with 1.3 ° C. Temperatures around 28 ° C are not uncommon in summer.

Hamburg is famous for its tourist attractions:

The Port of Hamburg (der Hamburger Hafen) is the largest sea port in Germany and one of the most effcient ports of the world. For this very reason the city bears the name of the Gate to the world. Every year, up to 10,000 ships enter the port of the Hansemetropole,and their number is increasing from day to day. In total, the port, which is more than 800 years old, occupies an area of around 7,200 hectares, which is about one-tenth of Hamburg's area.

The Warehouse District (Speicher stadt) is famost around the world. Since july 2015 this legendary attraction, together with the Kontorhaus District and Chilehaus, belongs to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It is considered to be the largest connected warehouse complex in the world that was built in 1883.

One of the most popular sightseeing spots in Hamburg is the Main church of St. Michaelis (die Hauptkirche St.Michaelis). The 132-meter-high church is the landmark of the city and one of the most important buildings in Hamburg. Among the locals the church is affectionatelly called "Michel". Since its first edification in 1647, the church has been rebuilt twice.

Another architectural as well as musical sight of Hamburg is the Elbphilharmonie. It combines tradition and modernity in such an impressively manner that cannot be compared to any other city in Germany.

If you're looking for city sightseeing in Hamburg, the you should definitely visit the Hamburg Town Hall (das Hamburger Rathaus) in the city center. The magnificent building dates from the 19th century and stands out from the typical Hamburg architecture by its extremely elaborately decorated facade. The sandstone building, which regularly houses exhibitions, evokes associations with a neoclassical castle.

If you want to explore Hamburg with children, the Zoo Hagenbeck (Tierpark Hagenbeck) is just the right choice for you. Sightseeing for the whole family is worthwhile in the largest private zoo in the world. Thezoo, which is more than 100 years old, is the first in the world to completely dispense with cages in its enclosures and to adopt a more equitable attitude which provides more freedom to the enclosed animals.

The Floating Dock (Landungsbrücken) – if the statistics are to be believed, then the St. Pauli Floating Dock is second ,ost important and famous tourist attraction after the Brendenburg Gate. As a matter of fact, the dock is always lively and there’s always something going on.

St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn - The Reeperbahn, also known as "Kiez", is and will remain Hamburg's amusement district number one. With the operetta house, numerous tabledance bars, discotheques and student clubs, there is always something to satisfy each person’s taste at the surface of 930 meters! During the day it can berather quiet,but it is the evening when the street awakens in its complete splendour.

Hamburg is a cosmopolitan and diverse city with an incredible number of sights, events and leisure activities, making it the perfect destination for a short stay.