Coastal Route

Hamburg: Speicherstadt ©DZT

Hamburg (4 nights)

• Day 1: Stroll through the city, walk along the Inner or Outer Alster Lake. Excursion to Hamburg's Speicherstadt and visit to the Speicherstadt Museum, followed by a walk through the HafenCity,the model for a new, sustainable European city, on the waterfront. To get in the mood for the tour, visit the International Maritime Museum in Hamburg,with exhibitions detailing the relationships between humankind and nature.
  Tip:
  Take an evening boat trip along the canals of the illuminated Speicherstadt, followed by dinner in one of the many restaurants in the historic warehouse buildings.
• Day 2: Excursion to the Archaeological Border complex Haithabu and the Danewerk, including museum visits (2.5 hours by train and bus to Schleswig; further on foot 5-10 mins). Visit to the reconstructed Viking houses in Haithabu and walk along the embankments of the Danewerk. The Viking-era sites are also nature reserves and provide a safe habitat for many protected species.
  Please note:
  The Viking Houses are closed from November to March.
• Day 3: Excursion to Bremen (1 hour by train), stroll through the city, visit the historic town hall and Bremen's "statue of liberty": the Roland. Walk through the historic Schnoor quarter and the modern, sustainable urban development area of Überseestadt.
• Day 4: Excursion to the Wadden Sea (1.5 hours by train to Cuxhaven). At Cuxhaven there are various different tour providers, for example, for the mudflat walks. It is possible to reach Neuwerk Island by public transport (bus), boat, on foot or on the traditional "Wattwagen" horse-drawn carriage. Detailed information on how to get there can be found here.

Lübeck: The Holsten Gate is the city's landmark ©DZT

Lübeck (2 nights)

• Day 5: Continue your journey to the Hanseatic city of Lübeck (45 mins by train). Visit the Holsten Gate, the Salzspeicher (salt storehouses) and the old town island. Wander through the medieval Old Town. The numerous green oases hidden in the alleyways and courtyards of the Old Town are a special highlight.
  Tip:
  Be sure to try the locally produced Lübeck marzipan – available in numerous shops and cafés.
• Day 6: Excursion to Wismar (1.5 hours by train). Wander through the historic town centre, the Krämerstrasse and visit the many churches.
  Tip:
  A fresh mackerel roll is a must-try!
• Day 7: Excursion to the state capital Schwerin (train, 1 hour). Visit to the fairytale Schwerin Castle and exploration of the picturesque castle gardens.
• Tip:
  The historic old town with its attractive pedestrian zone invites you to stroll and linger.

Stralsund: St.Nikolai church and the old town hall at the market in the Hanseatic city ©DZT

Stralsund (2 nights)

• Day 8: Continue your journey to Stralsund (3 hours by train). Visit the Old Town, with its almost untouched medieval layout. Visit the Ozeaneum and learn all about life in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Atlantic Ocean through its exhibitions and aquariums. End the evening with a view over the sea.
• Day 9: Excursion to Rügen, Germany's largest island (1.5 hours by train or bus), to the Königsstuhl National Park Centre at the world-famous chalk cliffs in Jasmund National Park.
• Tip:
  The award-winning hiking trail along the cliffs, starting at Sassnitz with great views, leads directly to the National Park Centre (8 km).
• Day 10: Continue your journey on to Berlin (3 hours by train) and return home.
• Option to return by boat and rental bike
  Keen cyclists can make the onward journey particularly relaxing, by taking a river cruise with cycling tours. From Stralsund, the cruise takes you across the sea, up the Oder and along the Oder-Havel Canal to Berlin. Duration approx. 7 days.