Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie To Open January 2017.

A special ticket allotment for the opening concerts on January 11 and 12, 2017, will be set aside for the general public.  Exactly one year before the scheduled opening of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the opening act is set: the NDR Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Thomas Hengelbrock will be performing in the great hall on January 11 and 12, 2017. Located in the Hamburg harbor, the Elbphilharmonie was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron. The building’s curved glass construction is set on top of a historic cocoa warehouse. It perfectly combines traditional and modern design and boldly enhances Hamburg’s city scape. Now in its final construction phase, the building has already become Hamburg’s new landmark, and is poised to be one of the most acclaimed concert halls in the world. In addition to tickets reserved for invited guests, a number of tickets for the two opening concerts will be available to the general public. Advanced ticket sales for the two identical opening concerts start in June 2016. “Curiosity about the Elbphilharmonie is enormous,” says Prof. Barbara Kisseler, Hamburg’s Senator for Culture. “A house for everyone is rising right in the heart of the city – a house for children, who experience music for the first time in their lives; a house for music enthusiasts, who will experience unforgettable nights there; a house for everyone, who just wants to enjoy the fantastic view from the plaza. We want people from home and abroad to have the chance to experience the opening concerts in our new concert hall – not only invited guests.” Christoph Lieben-Seutter, director of the new philharmonic hall, and his team are currently fine-tuning the program for 2017, which will be announced in April. The Elbphilharmonie will officially be handed over to the city of Hamburg this fall. Its Plaza Level, a large public space connecting the historic building and the new construction, will open in November 2016 and offer breathtaking views of the Hamburg harbor. Following completion of the building’s exterior, the focus will be on the interior fittings and the finalization of the so called “white skin” in the great hall. Jacques Herzog of Herzog & de Meuron is excited about the construction progress: “One year before the opening, we can already see the tremendous impact the Elbphilharmonie will have on Hamburg. We are very happy.” For Hamburg, the Elbphilharmonie will be a significant new symbol of the city’s rich cultural life in the heart of the harbor. As a part of the “Hafen City Hamburg”, the largest inner city urban development project in Europe, and the adjacent UNESCO world cultural heritage site „Speicherstadt und Kontorhausviertel“ (historic warehouse district and Kontorhaus quarter), the Elbphilharmonie already is the most popular tourist spot in Hamburg. More information about Hamburg’s new city scape at www.elbphilharmonie.de. Additional information on Hamburg: www.hamburg-tourism.de.

Travelore Tips:10 Reasons To Visit Hamburg

Most tours to Germany include Berlin, Munich and perhaps the Black Forest or a trip along the Rhine. These are fantastic areas to visit, but there is so much more to Germany. Tucked away in northern Germany, Hamburg, the country's second biggest city, has a personality of its own and is well worth a stop on a trip around Germany.

Here are just a few of the many reasons to visit Hamburg.

1. History

The citizens of Hansestadt Hamburg, the city's official name, are very proud of their home's maritime history. Located on a river that connects the city to the nearby North Sea, Hamburg has been in a significant position for centuries. In 1189 the city was declared an Imperial Free City, meaning Hamburg enjoyed tax-free access up the Elbe River to the North Sea. The city officially joined the Hanseatic League in 1321, and over time became an important trading hub due to its port and harbor. Today it is one of the busiest ports in Europe, and many cruises include Hamburg on their itineraries.

2. Fish

Due to Hamburg's proximity to the sea, it's one of the best places to get fresh fish in Germany. Almost every restaurant has fish and seafood options, and you can get a fish sandwich (Fisch Brotchen) at any market in the city. On Sunday mornings,Hamburg's famous fish market is the place to see the fish stalls in action and get fish straight off the boat. Though Germany is known for sausages, Hamburg is definitely the place to go for aquatic fare.

3. It's not Bavaria

Lederhosen and Oktoberfest are what so many people imagine when they think of Germany. But this is just a glimpse of Bavaria, not Germany as a whole. A visit to Hamburg provides a different but still very Germanic view of the country. They have their own accent, local beers, and distinct cuisine. Almost anywhere you go, you will be near water, and you can't escape the sea air. The way the city has been built up around the port and the influence the sea has on the city makes Hamburg noticeably different from any other German city.

4. Art and other museums

Art lovers can enjoy seven centuries of art, from medieval to contemporary, in the three different buildings of Hamburg's Kunsthalle. Aside from its permanent collections, the museum receives international recognition for its special exhibitions which attract thousands of visitors a year. For more contemporary art and photography, visit the Deichtorhallen. But there are several other types of museums in Hamburg as well. The Maritime Museum explains Hamburg's history as a trading and shipping center. Spicy's Spice Market is a fun way to learn about the spice trade. One of Hamburg's most popular attractions, Miniatur Wunderland has the largest model railroad in the world, as well as full model cities and a working model airport.

5. Outdoors

Like in most of Germany, Hamburg's residents enjoy spending time outside. Due to its far northern latitude, Hamburg enjoys long days during the summer, encouraging everyone to go outside. Many people use bicycles as their main mode of transportation, even in cold or rainy weather. The city has lots of parks and outdoor spaces, but one of the most popular parks is the Planten und Blomen park in the center of the city. The old botanical garden is located here, as well as the largest Japanese garden in Europe, a tropical house, an open ice rink in the winter, and plenty of children's activities such as playgrounds and miniature golf.

If animals are what you're looking for, visit the Hagenbeck Zoo where you can see more than 200 different animal species as well as a four level aquarium. Sports are also very popular in Hamburg, especially soccer (European football). The city even has two teams, Hamburger SV and FC St. Pauli Hamburg. With so much water around, relaxing along the banks of the river or near the Alster Lakes is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Since this is still Germany, find a beer garden and try some of the local brews while enjoying some fresh air.

6. Youthful vibe

With many universities and an active night life, Hamburg maintains a very youthful vibe. St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn area is an area of full of clubs where young people spend their Friday and Saturday nights. More laid back bars can be found in Schanzenviertel. When the weather is nice, lounging in the park or at an outdoor cafe can make anyone feel young at heart. The city just feels more alive, like something fun might be just around the corner. Summer brings plenty of free events to the city for the budget conscious crowd.

7. Boats and water activities

Not only does Hamburg sit along the Elbe River, it also has the Alster Lakes located right in the city, just north of the main train station. Go swimming, kayaking, sailing or take a boat tour of the lakes during the summer, or during the winter try ice skating. Hamburg also has a long tradition of rowing. The first rowing club in Germany was founded there. Various clubs train on the Outer Alster Lake, certain sections of the Elbe River, and in some of the city's many canals.

At the Hamburg Port, join a boat tour of the harbor to get a taste of Hamburg's maritime culture up close. Some tours even journey into the canals of Speicherstadt, the largest single warehouse complex in the world. If you would rather watch the boats than ride in them, take a seat at Landungsbrücken and see the port at work.

8. Architecture

Hamburg has a variety of architectural styles throughout the city. There are many significant churches, including St. Nicholas which was the tallest building in the world for a short time in the 19th century, and St. Michael's where you can climb the bell tower for a beautiful view of the city. Hamburg's Rathaus (city hall) is an elaborately decorated building that was completed in the late 1800s. The city also boasts more bridges than any other city in the world. Take a stroll through the cobbled streets of Speicherstadt to see the brick buildings of the warehouses and the many bridges that cross the canals. In fact Hamburg has over 2,300 bridges throughout the city.

9. Music

Whether you enjoy the loud music of a dark night club or the more calm ambiance of a classical concert hall, Hamburg has you covered. Spend a night in the seedy night clubs in the Reeperbahn area or going to see a performance by the philharmonic at Laeiszhalle. By 2017 the new Elbphilharmonie concert hall is due to open. If the Beatles are your thing, retrace their footsteps in St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn clubs. Many parks, including the Planten und Bloomen park, also have live concerts during the warmer summer months.

10. Shopping district

Germany's wealthiest city offers many shopping opportunities from worldwide names to local boutiques. In the city center you will find typical shopping malls and stores. The most popular street for shopping is Jungfernstieg just south of the Inner Alster Lake. Wander away from the tourist district to find more unique locally owned shops. You never know what you might find, like a shop in Schanzenviertel that sells both shoes and wine.

If Hamburg isn't on your list of places to visit in Germany, it should be. The city has something for everyone, whether you're a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or a shopaholic. Outdoor activities such as boat tours feature heavily in most people's itineraries, but there are plenty of indoor attractions for a rainy day. Break out of the standard tour bus rut, see more of Germany than just Berlin and Munich, and visit Hansestadt Hamburg on the Elbe River for a uniquely German experience.

-Contributed by Alison Garland 

Celebrate The 50th Anniversary Of The Beatles Coming To America With The Top 10 Fan Destinations Around The World

On February 9^th, 1964, at 8:00pm, The Beatles, a rock band from Liverpool, launched the British Invasion when it performed live on the Ed Sullivan Show in New York City. Their performance changed the world. This year we mark the 50^th anniversary of the Fab Four’s unforgettable debut in the U.S. In honor of this milestone, the travel experts at Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, salute the global legacy of The Beatles with their Top 10 Beatles Fan Destinations around the World.

Arguably no band had as much an influence on the musical, fashion, political and culture scene as The Beatles, and, 50 years later, the impact of this iconic foursome continues. As we celebrate The Beatles’ debut in the U.S. we turn our eyes to top fan destinations located in the U.S. and the country that brought us the Fab Four - the United Kingdom.

·         Liverpool, England, United Kingdom - Nothing says The Beatles like the birthplace of the Fab Four. Liverpool has become a hot spot for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the roots of The Beatles. Whether you tag along on a group tour, which are in abundance across the city, or you set out solo, must-sees include The Beatles Story Museum, the original Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, the childhood homes of John and Paul and St. Peter’s Church. The original Cavern Club, where The Beatles played in their early days, is no longer in existence, but visit its replica across the street for tours and merchandise.

·         New York, N.Y., United States - Directly across from where John Lennon was murdered in 1980 is a section of Central Park known as the Strawberry Fields Memorial. The iconic “Imagine” mosaic at Strawberry Fields is famously decorated year round and has become a place for people to pay their respects. In addition to visiting the memorial, Beatles fans can recreate photo ops at the Statue of Liberty, see the Ed Sullivan Theater where the foursome first played in the United States in 1964, and check out the residences of Yoko and John in the Village and at West 72^nd Street.

·         London, England, United Kingdom - It’s hard to imagine a more iconic Beatles destination than Abbey Road, where the band did most of its recording from the early sixties until 1970. While Abbey Road studio is closed to the public, it provides a live, 24-hour stream of the zebra crossing made famous by The Beatles’ Abbey Road album cover. Additionally, there are extensive tours for daytrippers covering London, including the My Life Walk and Magical Mystery Tour, covering hot spots like The Beatles Coffee Shop, film locations for “A Hard Day’s Night” and more.

·         Cleveland, Ohio, United States - The Beatles might not be synonymous with Cleveland, but as home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this locale offers plenty of Beatles-inspired opportunities for fans – young and old. The Beatles exhibit is extensive, with more than 70 artifacts, including John Lennon’s Gibson guitar, self-portraits done by Stuart Sutcliffe and birthday cards among band members. Plus, check out other exhibits at the Hall of Fame, telling the history of other beloved rock and roll musicians.

·         Las Vegas, Nev., United States - Las Vegas is a hot spot for music entertainment and theatrical shows; it’s also home to Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles-inspired production, “Love.” A loose biography based on the band, “Love” incorporates theater punctuated by Beatles favorites and celebrates their legacy. During the creation of “Love” there was significant involvement from Paul, Ringo and the surviving widows of John and George for more than three years. “Love” has become a popular spectacle for fans to bask in the history and music of the Fab Four.

The Beatles impact circled the globe so our list of top fan destinations also includes Hamburg, Germany; Riviera Maya, Mexico; Rishikesh, India; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Prague, Czech Republic. To read the complete details on Cheapflights.com’s Top 10 Beatles Fan Destinations around the World, visitwww.cheapflights.com/news/top-10-beatles-fan-destinations-around-the-world.

Hamburg: Northern Germany’s Biggest City Offers A Plethora Of Festivals, Cultural Highlights, And A Top Horticultural Event In 2013

 

Visitors to Hamburg can expect even more than the well-known maritime attractions in 2013, when the city is host to the prestigious International Garden Show, and celebrates the anniversary of its renowned ballet company. These and many more events will make for a diverse program that shows the many faces of Germany’s northern most metropolis. The top highlights for 2013 include:

40 Years Hamburg Ballet – John Neumeier
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the internationally acclaimed Hamburg Ballet and its director and chief choreographer John Neumeier will be presenting a special jubilee program. Spanning the company’s artistic vision from the very beginnings in 1973 to its current multi-facetted repertoire, the season will include four revivals, one premiere, as well as two guest companies. Highlight of the anniversary program will be Hamburg Ballet Festival, which will open with the John Neumeier interpreted performances of “Scenes from Shakespeare”.
The Hamburg Ballet – John Neumeier kicks off the anniversary year with a tour of the United States in February 2013, with performances in Chicago, Orange County and San Francisco.
Celebrated as one of the great signature choreographers of tour time, American-born Neumeier is known for masterfully combining classical ballet tradition with very contemporary forms.www.hamburgballett.de

80 Gardens Around The World: The International Garden Show Hamburg (igs)
April 26 until October 2013
Poised to become the Mecca for garden enthusiasts and landscape designers, Hamburg will be showcasing “80 Gardens around the World” on 100 acres on the Elbe river island of Williamsburg, during the International Garden Show 2013. Seven horticultural themed sections will present unique eco-systems as well as cultures form around the world. Visitors will also learn about green initiatives, and experience the very typical regional agricultural and horticultural landscapes with its carefully kept gardens and fruit trees. The show is complemented by a full program of open-air activities, concerts, plays, and gastronomic events.www.igs-hamburg.de.

824th Harbor Birthday
May 9-12, 2013
Highlight of Hamburg’s annual events calendar will again be the Harbor Birthday celebration (Hafengeburtstag). Touted to be the world’s biggest harbor festival, the tradition goes back to 1189, when Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa granted the people of Hamburg exemption from customs duties for ships on the Elbe river. Centered on and around the Landungsbrücken (landing docks), Hamburg’s 824th Harbor Birthday is expected to draw some 1.5 million visitors who for four days will enjoy 500 booths, music, performances, food, and entertainment. Complementing the activities on land, some of the world’s most impressive cruise ships, frigates and steamboats ships will be part of the program with ship parades, tug boat ballet, dragon boat races and more.
Quickly becoming a new tradition, cruise lines are using the popular harbor event to stage their ship naming ceremonies. This year, on May 10, 2013, Hapag Lloyd’s MS Europa will be “baptized” in a festive public celebration. The event will culminate in a huge firework display.

Elbjazz Festival
May 24/25, 2013
The fourth annual Elbjazz Festival is again expected to draw fans from all over Europe to enjoy some 50 performances on ten stages at and around Hamburg’s harbor and the Elbe river. Unique venues range from open-air stages, to hidden ship yards, a freight ship or a local bar, and – in Hamburg fashion - fans can hop from concert to concert by boat. Jazz legends as well as newcomers from Hamburg and around the world will present their diverse styles. Line-up for 2013 includes the European Jazz Ensemble, Charlie Wood and many others.

Reeperbahn Festival
September 26 – 28, 2013
This one-of-a-kind urban club festival turns the formerly seedy red light district into Europe’s coolest live music venue. For three nights some 200 bands heat up the clubs, bars, theaters and churches in this legendary neighborhood. Now in its eighth year, the festival features bands and DJs from abound the word, but also serves as a platform for entertainment industry professionals, and offers a diverse program of street art, poetry and literature, movies, and parties. www.reeperbahnfestival.com.

Information on travel to Hamburg at www.hamburg-travel.com.