Hamburg, Germany

Nestled along the beautiful Elbe River lies exquisite Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany. You can barely tell that this illuminated metropolis traces its history to the year 831. And while there are plenty of modern buildings to see, like the highly anticipated Elbphilharmonie along the water, it’s Hamburg’s older culture that can be most exciting. Try a visit to the Fish Auction Hall and Market, an open-air market that’s been hawking local wares since 1703. Your visit promises authentic local culture, because it’s not just a market. It’s a neighborhood scene, a great place to absorb local color. And that means you might be lucky enough to catch the occasional rock band playing there in the morning, alongside locals selecting their evening meals from the catches of the day. Model enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the spectacular Miniatur Wunderland, a massive model exhibit that leaves visitors speechless with its detail and realism. Of course, there’s historic architecture all around and a lovely botanical garden at Park Planten un Blomen. With something for everyone, there’s no question you’ll have a guten tag in Hamburg!