If I had to pick a European city for a short break lots of places come to mind in Italy, France or Spain without even thinking, but Germany has never really been up there as an inspiring choice. Even though I studied German at school and have continued to learn the language since, Germany has never had the same allure as the Mediterranean countries do.
It's true, I love to go to the Christmas markets, but Berlin last December didn't live up to expectations and consequently the work trip I've just had to Hamburg was a revelation. Hamburg has a wonderful charm which was impossible to predict. The flight from Gatwick took less than an hour and a half, then the S-bahn train link directly from the airport terminal to the city centre took only 25 minutes and cost just Eur3.10. Once in Hamburg everything is very central and easy to walk to most places from the main station. Berlin in comparison has no train link from the airport, the city is vast and spread out which means walking for miles to get anywhere and taking lots of public transport.
Hamburg is thriving and often voted not only as Germany's 'most liveable city' but also ranks in the world table alongside Toronto and Barcelona. I now see why. With more bridges than Amsterdam, Venice and London put together, Hamburg is a city based on the water. From being northern Europe's largest port and major cruise terminal (hence the name 'gateway to the world' as thousands of Europeans embarked for the new life in America and other countries), the HafenCity development will expand Hamburg's city centre by 40% when the project is complete in 10 years' time.
I was fortunate to stay at the stylish 'grand dame' five-star Atlantic Kempinski Hotel overlooking the Alster Lake, which although a heritage hotel is totally geared to the contemporary traveller. The extra-wide hallways on each landing were originally designed to store guests' trunks in the golden era of travel when the hotel was built in 1909. Whilst there I had to try the Atlantic Restaurant signature dish of lobster bisque, still being made today to the traditional recipe created in 1909 to celebrate the hotel's opening. Truly delicious. With so much to explore Hamburg is a place I will definitely return to.
