July 2014 cruise. Full day in Travemunde. How to spend it? My thoughts are as follows: We should definitely visit Lubeck, and if we are going to spend some time in Lubeck, we do not have enough time to do justice to Hamburg, which we should visit on a future trip. My questions are these: 1. Any real disagreement with my basic premise? 2. How much time do we need in Lubeck? Are there any walks or guides there anyone can recommend? 3. The Holsteinische Schweiz region with Eutin and the Plon lakes is a short distance from Lubeck? With only a day and time devoted to Lubeck, is the region worth a visit? If so, would you visit by car or train, and are there lake cruises available to the general public?
Posted by
Germany
868 posts
Spend the day in Lübeck. If some people can spend two days in a tiny place like Rothenburg it shouldn't be a problem to spend one day in a much bigger, and much more significant (head of the Hanseatic League) city, which is also a World Heritage Site. - explore the old town (twice as big as Rothenburgs) - see the Gothic churches (which were the model for all churches in the Baltic). There are five big ones in the old town. - have lunch at the Schiffergesellschaft (brotherhood of captains), a historic restaurant in a wonderful building (17th century). The Ratskeller (cellar of a town hall) is equally interesting. - visit the town hall - have a coffee at Cafe Niederegger and enjoy the marzipan... and buy some.
- if you are interested in literature, visit the Buddenbrookhaus - see the Passat, one of the famous Flying-P liners
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Hi, No disagreement on your basic premise to spend time in Holstein. If your arrival in Travemünde is in the early morning, spend a few hours there, then take the train (short ride) to Lübeck Hbf., get there by noon or so, and you will have ample time, ie thr rest of the day, to see Lübeck, the famous Tor, and all that Backsteingotik. From the Hbf. if you walk it, signs point to the Tor and the center (Innenstadt). Save Hamburg for another trip, esp if you're targeting historical museums on Prussian-German history in the greater Hamburg area. Eutin/Holstein is worth a visit, esp if you're interested in classical music. I never visited the lakes, only the town of Eutin. The Schloss is worth it if you're interested in WW I.
Posted by
OP
Mandeville, LA, USA
565 posts
Martin, thank you. And Fred, thanks again. Eutin is a short train ride from Lubeck, but what I am reading is that Lubeck is a small gem with plenty to see. I had an idea what the responses would be. Plans to visit multitple places in a day are too often a bridge too far. But it is nice to get confirmation from people who know.
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Hi, You're welcome. Travemünde and Lübeck hold some sentimental nostalgia for me since my first arrival in Germany was Travemünde. Lübeck was the first city in Germany I visited. Eutin/Holstein is a quaint town, very recommendable. See the house/museum of the composer contemporary to Beethoven in Eutin, that of Carl Maria von Weber. Depending on how many days you're staying in the area, I would suggest Kiel and environs. But, if it's just one day, pick Lübeck. It is a gem. If not, with a car you do have time for both Eutin and Plön.