Top Reasons to Go to Hamburg

Alster cruises: Marvel at the luxurious villas gracing the shores of the Alster lakes and its canals while relaxing with a Glühwein (mulled wine) or cool beer and listening to tidbits of trivia about the city.

Hamburger Kunsthalle and the Deichtorhallen: Spend an afternoon admiring the fantastic art collections at two of Germany's leading galleries of modern art.

Historic harbor district: Travel back in time and walk the quaint cobblestone alleys around Deichstrasse and the Speicherstadt.

Retail therapy: Indulge your inner shopper as you weave your way through the streets behind the elegant Jungfernstieg, amble up and down Mönckebergstrasse, stroll through Altona and the Schanzenviertel, and end the afternoon at one of the quarters' funky cafés.

Sin City: Adventure along the Reeperbahn, browse its quirky sex shops, and dive into the nightlife of Europe's biggest party district.