Starting from Hamburg

You may be thinking more far afield , but we thought Lüneburg was one of the most beautiful towns we’ve visited anywhere. It is about 50 miles from Hamburg. Safe travels.

Denny & AshleyMIA, thanks for the helpful information. This is just the sort of information we're looking for. We'll look into them.

So very true about Lüneburg as "one of the most beautiful towns...visited anywhere." I saw the place first in July 1971 as day trips from Lübeck, the big M had not even reached that town by then in Germany. Two years later when I came back, it was there.

You don't have to get a car, Hamburg Hbf to Lüneburg or Lübeck is a direct connection, likewise to Kiel.

I suggest only a car if you intend to see several small places in the greater Hamburg area , say as it pertains to history, Pinneberg,

Friedrichsruh, Lauenburg an der Elbe, Lüneburg, Lübeck, Kiel, Plön, Eutin, camp memorial site in Neuengammen,

For culture and architecture, have you checked the UNESCO world heritage sites for Northern Germany, like Bremen, Hildesheim, Quedlinburg, Goslar, Lübeck?

For scenery: The Wadden Sea and the North Sea with its islands and Halligen is a unique area within easy reach from Hamburg. How about a guided walk to an island? You could even do that right from Hamburg if you choose Neuwerk.

The Harz is a bit farther off, but might be combined with towns like Goslar or Quedlinburg.

Fred and Anna, I'm sorry for the late response. My wife and I have been searching your suggestions and recommendations. They are very helpful. We can't wait to go on the trip. Thank you very much!

Scenery: day trip to Helgoland by ferry.

Archaeology: Haithabu and Dannewerk.

Culture: Museum Schloss Gottorf and museum village Molfsee (close to Kiel).

@ JK...Keep in mind that North Germany has some very lovely places. Time-wise I have been there several times in August. Different culture, scenery, atmosphere, landscape, etc. to be seen and sensed here.

I suggest also the small towns (Husum, Heide, or, not a small town, even Cuxhaven) aside from those I mentioned above...Schleswig where the Schloss Gottorf is located, on my bucket list too. I was in Schleswig in May 2018 but didn't have the needed time for the famous Schloss.

How about taking the cruise on the Kieler Förde or the harbor cruise, did that twice on two trips, only given in German, just it was in yesteryear.

Needless to say, I am all for staying in the area too. There is more than enough to see and do in Northern Germany for three days.

Of course you can go to Brussels or Copenhagen, it's certainly doable, but you'll be spending half of those three days in the car. I'd save those places for a later trip.

Here's another destination for you, especially if you happen to have German ancestors and are interested in that kind of thing: the Auswandererhaus in Bremerhaven.