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Brick Facades and Big Impressions – A Short Stop in Hamburg

15 hours ago

 

After our exhilarating visits to Stralsund and Wismar,  Hamburg was our next stop on the route north.

With only two days to explore, we focused on the essentials. We wandered through the Speicherstadt, Hamburg’s iconic warehouse district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its red-brick architecture, bridges, and narrow canals contrasted the quieter heritage towns we’d just left behind.

We also visited the Elbphilharmonie’s viewing platform, where the city stretches out between cranes and copper rooftops. The view gave us a different perspective – one of Hamburg as a living port city, always moving, always changing.

 

 

We rounded our time in Hamburg off with a performance of Hercules – a modern musical experience.

Though not a world heritage city, Hamburg impressed us with the vibrant connection of history and modern-day life. We´re excited to next move beyond the German border and continue in Denmark and Norway!

 

Wismar – Where History Meets the Sea

2 days ago

Wismar welcomed us with the perfect mix of maritime charm and historic beauty. We climbed the viewing platform of St. George’s Church for a stunning panorama over the red rooftops and the Baltic coastline. Strolling through the old town, we admired the colorful facades, felt the laid-back energy of the city, and enjoyed long conversations by the harbour.

 

 

A visit to the World Heritage House gave us a deeper glimpse into Wismar’s UNESCO story and its rich Hanseatic past. This small city left a big impression on us – full of history, but so alive with warmth.

From here, our journey continues to Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo and finally Bergen – discovering more World Heritage gems along the way.

Stralsund – Baltic Breeze & Festival Vibes

4 days ago

Stralsund welcomed us with the salty air of the Baltic Sea and a city full of charm. Colorful façades line the streets, each one telling its own story from centuries past. We strolled along the promenade, had warm conversations, and simply soaked in the relaxed coastal atmosphere.

This weekend, the Wallenstein Days brought the city to life even more: good music, lots of laughter, and a joyful crowd celebrating together. We couldn’t resist a sweet crêpe while enjoying the festive vibes. One of our highlights was an exclusive guided tour through the World Heritage Exhibition, where we got a deeper look into Stralsund’s fascinating history as part of the Hanseatic League.

 

 

As a UNESCO World Heritage City, Stralsund perfectly blends maritime heritage with vibrant community life. It’s a place where history doesn’t just sit in museums – it lives on in the streets, festivals, and the people who call this city home.

 

 

From here, our journey along the World Heritage trail continues further north. Next stops: Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo and finally Bergen.

 

From left to right: Sophia, Steffi Behrendt (Head of the Department for Culture, World Heritage, and Media in Stralsund), and Melanie – after an insightful guided tour through Stralsund’s World Heritage exhibition.

From left to right: Sophia, Steffi Behrendt (Head of the Department for Culture, World Heritage, and Media in Stralsund), and Melanie – after an insightful guided tour through Stralsund’s World Heritage exhibition.

First Stop: Berlin 22-24 July 2025

4 days ago

 

And we are off. Our very first stop took us straight into the buzzing heart of Germany: Berlin.

We played tourist with zero shame. Alexanderplatz? Check. Fernsehturm? Check. Brandenburger Tor, Nikolaikirche, Museumsinsel and even the Rotes Rathaus? Absolutely. Somewhere between dodging e-scooters and snapping too many photos, we even squeezed in a musical (Cabaret) and a public viewing of the Women’s Euro. Because culture comes in all forms.

 

 

But the real highlight? An invite to the World Heritage Festival at the Hufeisensiedlung, a dreamy, colorful housing estate from the nineteen twenties that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Berlin Modernism Housing Estates. It is not every day you get to experience a brass band, improv music and architectural deep dives all in one evening. We loved every minute!

 

 

 

 

Big thanks to the lovely folks from the OWHC who made it possible. We felt fancy, inspired and just a little bit like VIPs. It was one of those moments that reminded us why we are doing this trip in the first place: to find the soul behind the stones.

Berlin, you were bold, beautiful and full of stories.
Next up: Stralsund. Bring on the Baltic breeze.

 

Kick off: Regensburg

4 days ago

 

 

Exams are done, the cafés are full, and the Danube riverbanks are packed with students soaking up their first real breath of freedom.

You can´t help but love this city.  A mix of medieval streets, relaxed energy, and those small everyday moments that make you pause: crossing the old Stone Bridge at sunset, sharing a spritz on the Bismarckplatz steps, or grabbing coffee and cake in quiet Stadtamhof before jumping back into the buzz.

 

Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage City, but it does not feel like a museum. It feels lived in, layered with history, but full of life.

And it is here, in our university town, that we are kicking off this journey: heading north through Berlin, Stralsund, Wismar, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo, and finally Bergen.

Travel with us

July 22, 2025

The first team of our 2025 Young Travellers has just set off – join them on their trip through our World Heritage Cities. Stay tuned!