Christmas markets in Hamburg

In contrast to the blinding sunshine I had streaming through my window during my flight, the first glimpse I have of Hamburg are grey and industrial. Most of the walls and fencing lining the railway are graffitied, as are the wagens on the freight trains. There is construction in progess across the city adding to the industrial feel. The bridges across the canals and river are iron; built for strength and practicality rather than aesthetics. And yet I like it and am left wanting to know more about the history of of this port city.

I'm meeting my cousin and Uncle outside of the city and need to catch another train. As I travel away from the city centre the land opens up to suburbs, then fields, farming and woodlands. It is not long before I am in Tostedt about 35km SW of Hamburg. Here I learn that the train was running late which means I've missed my connection to Sittensen, so there is a change of plans and I shall be picked up here instead.
Once we are all together we go for lunch before driving 40 minutes out to our accomodation. It is a gorgeous little cabin in the woods with a potbelly stove for heating, no WiFi and no TV. I am on holidays and forced to relax with a book, board games and conversation. It is perfect and so nice to be away from all the modern distractions.Read more