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Hamburg – The Pearl of the North

Konzert Saal

Our personal highlights of the port city

With about 2 million inhabitants the port city of Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany. With 4,500 bridges – more than in Venice, Amsterdam and London together, Hamburg is called the bridge city. In addition to the Elbe, which merges with the North Sea, there is the beautiful Alster. It offers a breathtaking view of the most beautiful parts of the city, especially through the charming canals. Hafenstadt BrückeHamburg has been the center of European trade since its accession to the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages. This brought enormous wealth to the city and left a rich cultural and historical heritage. The spirit of the sea and the traditions of the Hanseatic League characterize Hamburg perfectly: from architecture, cultural sights, to the food and screeching of seagulls at the harbor. In two days we got to know the city pretty well and quickly underlined the personal highlights:

Sternschatze + Karolinenviertel

The craziest quarter of the city is the Sternschanze, also called Schanze. The shops, the clothing style, the cafes – pure hipster spirit. The street art on the walls is is remarkable and represents the alternative movement. No wall of the neighborhood was exposed, graffiti everywhere! Karolinenviertel Einkaufen Near the S-Bahn station Sternschatze is the famous restaurant ‘Bullerei’, which is led by the German TV chef Tim Waelzer. The core of the trendy district is Susannestrasse with countless bars, restaurants and shops. The Schanze is popular for its shopping variety. The charming little boutiques hidden in the small streets of the neighborhood. Sustainability and innovation is a big topic in the young and alternative neighborhood especially when it comes to food and fashion.

Speicherstadt – the showpiece of Hamburg

The Speicherstadt is a whole city with centuries-old red brick warehouses in the northeastern part of Hamburg harbor. A water excursion along the Port of Hamburg  is an integral part of every tourist program. Hamburger Speicherstadt The picturesque quarter, crossed by channels with characteristic round arches, is now used for many museums and exhibitions. For example, the well-known miniature wonderland with the largest railway model in the world. For the construction of storage blocks, a large part of the old town was demolished, leaving behind the impression of medieval flair due to the massiveness of the brick buildings. Today, the historic buildings are occupied by creative areas with agencies and demonstration halls, as well as various entertainments for tourists.

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

This building was called an art object for a good reason. It combines modern architecture, a unique location, excellent acoustics and a diverse concert program. The huge 110-meter building was under construction for about 10 years, and the budget of the Philharmonie grew from 70 to 800 million euros. Konzerthaus von vorne The building houses two concert halls – a large hall for 2100 people and a small hall for 550 people. Parallel to its cultural purpose, the Elbphilharmonie offers residences, commercial space, a five-star hotel with 244 rooms and restaurants. The brick foundation of the building occupies 8 floors (37 meters high) and the upper part of the glass occupies 12-18 floors. The platform between is an observation deck with a 360 ° panoramic view of the city of Hamburg and the harbor. Glasfassade und Backstein The shape of the roof is curved and looks like a wave, so it is called “The Glass Wave”. Grosser Saal Konzerthaus The concept of the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg was developed by the local architect Alexander Gerard, who wanted to create a new landmark for the city – “a cultural beacon for all citizens”. Architects from Herzog & de Meuron were responsible for the design of the Philharmonie. Originally, the construction of the building should be completed by 2010, but all work has been postponed several times for various reasons. Only after a new contract between architects, builders and Olaf Scholz (Mayor of Hamburg), all construction work was resumed. The grand opening of the Great Hall of the Philharmonic on the Elbe took place on January 11, 2017. https://www.elbphilharmonie.de/de

Hafencity

One of the world’s largest projects for the development of urban areas near the water and the largest European construction. Here it is planned to create apartments for 12 thousand people by 2025. Junge Menschen in Hafencity The Hamburg architectural complex HarbourCity (HafenCity) has no analogies to the world. A new stilts area has been built on the former 155 hectare harbor. The harbor city is a “port city”. On the one hand, the district borders on the central part of Hamburg and widens its territory, and on the other, it is the harbor, surrounded by a river and canals, through which the sea transport actively moves. Aussicht auf die Zukunftsstadt How everything fits together, you can evaluate yourself during a visit to the HafenCity. This is a unique area whose unusual structure gives the impression of being in the future.

Beach bars & Beach clubs in Hamburg

The reward of long walks and cultural attractions are the beach clubs and beach bars on the Hamburg “Strand”. In summer, artificial beaches become popular holiday resorts. The Hanseatic city offers many multi-faceted beach clubs and beach bars with a relaxed and unconventional atmosphere.

The 3 favorites we summarize here:

Strand Pauli

Strandbar in Hamburg

28 Grad Strandbad

28 Grad Strandbad

Sky& Sand

Beachbar in Hamburg

Hotel recommendation

Last but not least we spent a great time in the wonderful Hotel Mövenpick Hamburg. The modern 4-star superior Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg is called one of the best hotels in Hamburg for a reason, because it is located in a historic water tower from the 19th century and is located in the immediate vicinity of the green area around the Sternschanze. The special features of the hotel are the original bricks in the whole interior and above all the authentic sounds in the lobby (like ship horns or seagulls yelling) making the full Hamburg atmosphere experience complete.

https://www.movenpick.com/de/europe/germany/hamburg/hotel-hamburg/overview/

Wasserturm Ausblick vom Park
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A Relaxed spa weekend at Frutt Lodge

Enough of the everyday office life, ready for a few days of relaxation? A spa weekend in the mountains is the ideal place to leave everything behind and to do something good for the senses. A suitable spot for this, is located on Melchsee-Frutt, Europe’s highest 4-star superior hotel: The Frutt Lodge.

About Frutt Lodge

2011, 8 years after the fire of the Sporthotel Kurhaus, the Hotel Frutt Lodge & Spa opened at the same location. Frutt Lodge is located at the idyllic Melchsee, in the car-free health resort Melchsee-Frutt. At 1920 m above sea level, the lodge is the highest 4-star hotel in Europe.

The hotel has 58 rooms, 6 junior suites and 3 suites. The interior and exterior architecture reminds of a typical lodge style: high, spacious rooms are characterised by natural materials such as wood or natural stone.

Perfect for a relaxing spa weekend

Here you will find Alpine Wellness at the highest level. We particularly liked the really beautiful spa landscape – from the pool you have a direct view to Melchsee and the surrounding mountains. The panorama sauna, the steam bath and the refreshment buffet are further highlights that perfectly round off a spa weekend.

Enjoyment at its finest

Frutt Stübli is a fusion of traditional haute cuisine, local fresh ingredients accompany great wines. The gourmet restaurant has been awarded 15 Gault Millau points.

Those who like it authentic, simple and rustic will find seasonal and Swiss inspired cuisine, paired with a wonderful selection of wines in the Frutt Tischli.

In the evening you sit down comfortably in the Cigar Lounge and let the evening end – what could be better?

The kids are taken care of

A few meters from Frutt Lodge, connected by an underground tunnel, you will find the Family Lodge. Professional care is available for the kids and there are various activities for the whole family:

  • Outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, etc. for the whole family (from beginners to professionals)
  • Fruttli Weg – adventure and learning path
  • Ski kindergarten/ski school
  • Indoor activities such as cinema, mini bowling alley, table football

3 Lakes Hike

Those who like to move and take a nice walk can march from Melchsee via Tannensee to Engstlensee. A wonderful course, ideal for all fitness levels.

https://www.fruttlodge.ch
https://www.frutt-familylodge.ch

Preise fr0m ca. 230 CHF per night

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4 Days Hiking in Switzerland

Don’t we all sometimes look for a quiet place, an opportunity to slow down, let our thoughts flow and enjoy nature? Let me anticipate: a few days of hiking in Switzerland is the ideal activity to do so! 

4 days hiking in Switzerland

In the busy city life we sometimes forget how incredibly beautiful the Swiss mountains are. Paradise is not far, from Zurich you are within 2 hours in the middle of Graubuenden with various hiking trails and adventures. 

Kesch-Trek in Grabuenden

The kesch-trek is a four-day hiking tour in Graubuenden. You will sleep in SAC huts, far away from civilization. In the evening there is delicious food served by the hut keeper, cards are played, laughed and people talk about God and the world. At night, the endlessly beautiful sky full of stars appears, it is worth to go and have a look!

Prerequisites

The tour is safe, but requires a good physical condition for medium to long hikes in the high mountains.

Pictures & Rights Globesession

hiking switzerland

cow switzerland

Kesch-Trek Hike

The Kesch trek takes you through the middle of the Graubunden mountains, four full days over various passes through the middle of the high mountains. The destination of this wonderful hike is a new SAC hut every evening. There is no mobile network or other distractions – that guarantees perfect relaxation!

The mountains are silent masters and make silent disciples. – Johann Wolfgang of Goethe

hiking tours in switzerland

Hiking in Switzerland

switzerland hiking

hiking trip switzerland

Day 1 – Journey to Davos and ascent to the Grialetsch hut

Hiking in Switzerland should not start too challenging. The first day of the Kash Trek is the perfect start for a 4-day adventure.

Where to go
From Davos station take the post bus to the Susch, Chantsura stop. An ascent to the Grialetsch hut follows

Route & Duration
5 km walk with approx. 500 m altitude difference ¦ 2:00-3:00h

Grialetsch Hut
Authentic, small hut at 2542 m above sea level. Starting point for various wonderful hikes and fantastic ski tours in winter. Open from the end of February to the end of April and from mid-June to mid-October.

Level ✭✩✩✩✩

hiking tours

sac hut

Day 2 – Hike Grialetsch hut to Kesch hut

Where to go
It goes on a bit more sporty, the route begins with the descent in the direction of Dürrboden, followed by a 600-metre ascent to the Scaletta Pass.

Route & Duration
16 km walk with approx. 500 m altitude difference ¦ 4:00-5:00h

Kesch Hut
The biggest and most comfortable hut on the tour. It offers 92 sleeping places and is modernly designed. A large part of its consumption is covered by renewable energies. Showers are available on request.

Level ✭✭✩✩✩

kesch hut

glacier switzerland

Day 3 – From the Kesch hut to the Es-cha hut

Where to go
Definitely the most demanding route of this hike, it goes over 1000 meters uphill and downhill.

Route & Duration
14 km walk with > 1000 m altitude difference ¦ 5:00-6:00h

E flat-cha hut
Lovely and cosy hut at 2594 m above sea level. Incredible panorama during the day, at night you can admire the wonderful sky full of stars.

Level ✭✭✭✩✩

hiking group switzerland

swiss hut

Day 4 – Descent to Bergün

Where to go
The descent to the final destination follows: Bergün

Route & Duration
20 km walk, about 1000 meters down ¦ 4:00-5:30h

swiss mountains hike

Requests

Bergün Filisur Tourismus
Dienstleistungszentrum Plazi 2A
7482 Bergün/Bravuogn
Tel. +41 (0)81 407 11 52
Fax +41 (0)81 407 14 04
[email protected]
www.berguen-filisur.ch

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