Hamburg

Oct 20-23, 2012
AC503 YYZ-ORD, LX2609 ORD-ZRH, LX1050 ZRH-HAM, LX1051 HAM-ZRH, LX861 ZRH-YUL, AC435 YUL-YYZ

I have been known to take trips for a number of strange reasons and this was certainly not an exception, but also turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant destination.  The Fairmont hotel chain had a special targeted promotion to provide complementary top tier access after just one stay at an international property.  Since that status comes with free stays at some pretty incredible properties, I found that Hamburg was both available for a free ticket and an inexpensive Fairmont.  The city had a lot to offer and the fall weather was beautiful and I spent much of the weekend walking and exploring the river front and old town.   The flights also worked well and it was a nice long weekend.   

Oct 20-21
Overnight flight via Chicago and Zurich, day to explore Hamburg

Hamburg Rathaus

St. Nicholas church remains following WW2 bombing left as a monument

The spire of St. Nicholas was the tallest building in the world from 1874-1876

St. Michael’s church one of the more pretty of the 5 lutheran churches in the city

Some of the German architecture along the banks of Elbe river

One of the many boats enjoying the sunny fall day on the Elbe

After taking the public ferry downriver, enjoy the scenic walk back along the riverbank

Looking at the large port operations

Shops and restaurants along the Alster canal that cuts through the city

The Heinrich Hertz tower behind the Hamburg congress center

Reeperbahn street during the day in the grittier side of Hamburg

The shielding entrance to the red light zone; I didn’t explore behind the wall

Some of the new construction in the Hofencity development on the banks of the Elbe

Oct 22
Another day in Hamburg, but not any great photos

Oct 23
Early flight home via Zurich and Montreal