Schwerin Castle - Luneburg

Route: Hamburg - Schwerin Castle - Luneburg - Hamburg
Duration: 9 h
Firstly we will visit to the Schwerin Castle is romantic fairytale castle is reflected in the waters of Lake Schwerin in all its glory – complete with countless towers, domes and wings. Frederick Francis II had the building converted into an impressive symbol of his dynasty back in 1857. Situated in a romantic spot on an island in Lake Schwerin, Schwerin Castle is one of the finest examples of historicism in Europe and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site . Although its roots go back more than 1,000 years, the castle was brought to life in its current form with five wings when Frederick Francis II, the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, ordered for reconstruction work to be completed. The magnificent building has no fewer than 653 rooms, which are decadently filled with marquetry flooring, intricate carvings, gilding and stucco ceilings. Highlights include the throne room with columns made from Carrara marble and gilded cast-iron doors, the ancestral portrait gallery, the dining room and the round tower room, which is designed as a garden room and offers up a panoramic view across the lake. On the floors, the museum exhibits include precious paintings, sculptures, and crafts mainly from Schwerin’s most glamorous era, the 19th century. Special highlights are the porcelain collection, the newly opened silver chamber, as well as the extensive collection of ducal hunting and parade weapons. Next we will visit to  Lüneburg – the historical Hanseatic town built on salt, idyllically situated between the Elbe River and heathland. Lüneburg dates back more than 1,000 years and is without a doubt one of the prettiest towns in northern Germany. Having survived World War II unscathed, it has retained its charming Medieval character. Wherever you go, you get a taste of Lüneburg's eventful history, as it rose to become one of the most important places in the Hanseatic League through its salt production. The Alter Kran, a historical crane at the former Ilmenau docks, was also used in the salt trade. It is one of Lüneburg's most famous landmarks and remains a defining feature of the riverside Wasserviertel district. The historic Rathaus (City Hall) dates back to the 1200s, and is the largest Medieval City Hall in Northern Germany. It’s quite impressive inside too. Luckily, it was never damaged by war, so the building is well preserved. Originally it was Gothic brick, like most of the buildings in Lüneburg, but a storm in the early 1700s damaged the facade, so they replaced it with the current Baroque facade. Lüneburg is also a university town with youthful flair, where a shopping spree along the old gabled buildings is a real delight. After we return to Hamburg.
Price: per person