OFF-BEAT WAYS TO HAMBURG
Explore the Cooler Side of Germany’s Second Largest City with Guided Tours Focused on Alternative Culture, Art and Local Flair.
Hamburg / Los Angeles, November 12, 2014 – Known for maritime flair, understated sophistication, a famous red light district-turned-entertainment hub, and one of the most design-oriented waterfronts in Europe, Hamburg now offers various tours that will satisfy the curiosity of every visitor by offering a glance into the city’s alternative culture.
Below is a list of Hamburg’s most interesting – and off-beat – tours.
Hamburg Beatles Tour
With about 280 concerts on Hamburg stages the Beatles “grew up” in Hamburg, as John Lennon put it. As the originator of the musical Beatles-Tour Stefanie Hempel musically guides tourists in the Beatles’ footsteps through the famous red light district of St. Pauli. Stops include the Indra, a former strip club where the band met Ringo Starr; a hidden backyard famous as the location for the “Rock’n’Roll” album cover shoot; the Star Club where the Beatles played on opening night; and the house where the Fab Four bunked after arriving in Hamburg. The Beatles played their last Hamburg concert on New Year’s Eve 1962. After that they returned to England and Beatles mania began.
Hamburg’s Alternative Scene
A truly unique exploration of a lesser-known side of Hamburg, this tour focuses on a collection of local and international graffiti and street artists and offers an inside look at Hamburg’s bohemian districts and alternative culture. In the trendy quarters of Schanzenviertel and Karolinen Quarter, participants will learn about community protests, the city’s great diversity, urban art movements and get to visit repurposed bunkers and creative hubs. The Alternative Hamburg walking tour runs on a pay-what-you-like basis to ensure that it is accessible to everyone. Tours are 2 hours and start near Sternschanze S-Bahn Station, through the Schanzenviertel to St. Pauli district before ending up back towards the city center near the Gänsemarkt U-Bahn station. Must request English-speaking guide at booking.
A Taste of Hamburg – The St. Georg-Tour
From the historic buildings along the Alster lake to fantastic local shops, Hamburg’s oldest district, St. Georg, has much to offer. What had long ago been a rather sketchy area, today St. Georg has become a magnet for artists, celebrities, high earners and the gay and lesbian community. Eat-The-World’s culinary exploration of the district starts at the main railroad station and allows participants to experience the Alster lake and the ‘Lange Reihe’ street with its colorful mile of exciting shops and stylish houses. Participants of the St. Georg Tour will see the birthplace of Hamburg’s early movie star Hans Albers, and have the opportunity to sample delicacies from small shops and restaurants. Stops may include a traditional café, a spice and tea store, a Persian deli, a Lebanese sweet shop or a vegetarian bistro. English guides available upon request.
Reeperbahn Tour: Hamburg’s Naughty Side
Perhaps Hamburg’s most famous street, the Reeperbahn, is the center of the city’s red light district, which in recent years has morphed into a popular live music and mainstream entertainment center. Offering a tantalizing look at Hamburg’s nightlife scene, guests of the Reeperbahn Tour will explore the St. Pauli quarter, with its provocative Reeperbahn and Herbertstrasse streets, take a peek inside a strip club, see the boxing club where Mike Tyson trained and enjoy a drink at a local bar. The guide will point out popular local hot-spots, famous landmarks and legendary venues, including the Zur Ritze bar. The final stop is a look inside Olivia Wilde’s “Jungs Stripclub”, one of the more amusing venues in the area where men are only allowed in if they dance. Must request English-speaking guide at booking.
Hotrod City Tour
Car enthusiasts can now tour Hamburg in an authentic German Hotrod minicar. These tours wiz guests past Hamburg’s main attractions including the St. Pauli district, the inner and outer Alster lake , the rehabbed HafenCity waterfront and the historic warehouse district. Tours run daily and in summer months an evening tour is available for couples that includes a romantic surprise. The meeting point for this tour is at the Hamburg Landungsbrücken (jetties) and tours run from 10 am until 8:00pm.
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General images of Hamburg are available for download. Special images upon request.
Media Contacts:
USA: Kirsten Schmidt
KMS Communications
kschmidt@kmscommunications.com
p/ 818-385-0631 (USA)
HAMBURG: Guido Neumann
Director Media Relations
Hamburg Tourismus GmbH
guido.neumann@marketing.hamburg.de
p/ +49-40-41 11 10 – 617
