German cities bursting with pride

Hamburg has much to celebrate in 2013.

Just got back from Berlin where I had the most amazing time exploring the nightlife of one of Europe's greatest cities.

The energy in Berlin is electric and there's as many cranes working there as in Dubai. Since the Berlin Wall fell, more than 20,000 new buildings have been erected in Berlin but it's the old ones in a hip area called Kreuzberg that really impressed me.

The graffiti-covered warehouses of Kreuzberg have been taken over by struggling young chefs who serve up Michelin-star meals at a fraction of the price. Locals know all about these "pop up" restaurants and I'll be talking about them in the April issue of TraveLife magazine - the January issue featuring a story on Berlin's historic Adlon Hotel is now available http://www.travelife.ca/contact-us/past-issues.html.

I can't wait to go back to Berlin and another German city I'm anxious to see is Hamburg, the maritime marvel that will be celebrating a number of important events in 2013, including the International Garden Show.

Themed "80 Gardens Around The World" the International Garden Show Hamburg
is slated to run from April 26 through October and it may be the biggest event on the European tourist calander this year.

The event will be showcased on 100 acres on the Elbe river island of Williamsburg and will be split into seven horticultural themed sections featuring eco-systems as well as cultures from 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. For more information, go to www.igs-hamburg.de.

Hamburg will also be celebrating the 40th anniversary of its world-renowned ballet. The internationally acclaimed Hamburg Ballet and its director and chief choreographer John Neumeier will be presenting a special jubilee program to mark the event.

Spanning the company’s artistic vision from the very beginning in 1973 to its current multi-facetted repertoire, the 2013 season will include four revivals, one premiere, as well as two guest companies. Highlight of the anniversary program will be the Hamburg Ballet Festival, which will open with the Neumeier interpreted performances of “Scenes from Shakespeare”. For more information, go to www.hamburgballett.de

Being one of the world's biggest port cities, Hamburg has been celebrating its martime history for 824 years now and from May 9-12 it will hold the world's largest harbour festival - a  tradition that 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.

Other events Hamburg will be offering this year:

- Elbjazz Festival: May 24/25, 2013

- Reeperbahn Festival: Sept 26 – 28, 2013, www.reeperbahnfestival.com.

For information on travel to Hamburg visit www.hamburg-travel.com.