Back Roads Germany (Dk Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

34

Right Lush apple orchards in Jork, Altes Land

Below left Stately Rathaus on Am Markt,

Lüneburg Below right Outdoor cafés in Stade

WHERE TO STAY

LÜNEBURG

Bergström moderate

This four-star hotel has com fort able

rooms. Facilities include a pool and a

gym. Pets are allowed.

Bei der Lüner Mühle, 21335; 04131 30 80;

http://www.bergstroem.de

Bremer Hof moderate

A perfect starting point for sight seeing,

this hotel has a restaurant that serves

traditional as well as innovative dishes

from northern Germany.

Lüner Strasse 12–13, 21335; 04131

22 40; http://www.bremer-hof.de

ALTES LAND

Altes Land inexpensive–moderate

The attractive Altes Land combines

village charm with modern comforts.

Its restaurant features regional cuisine.

Schützenhofstrasse 16, 21635 Jork;

04162 914 60; http://www.hotel-altes-land.de

STADE

Parkhotel Stader Hof moderate

Built in 1990, this well-known first-class

hotel has 100 rooms and 6 suites.

Schiffertorsstrasse 8, 21682; 04141

49 90; http://www.parkhotel-staderhof.de

Zur Hanse moderate

Surrounded by mansions, this private

hotel provides modern and

comfortable rooms.

Am Burggraben 4, 21680; 04141 952 40;

http://www.altstadt-hotel-stade.de

VISITING LÜNEBURG

Parking

The most convenient parking lots are

at the train station and the Rathaus.

Tourist Information

Rathaus, Am Markt, 21335; 04131 207

66 44; http://www.lueneburg.de

BACK ROADS GERMANY

1 Lüneburg

Lower Saxony; 21335

This former salt-mining hub and

Hanseatic city was once one of

the richest in Germany. Lüneburg’s

past wealth is evident in the

splendid gables that line the streets

of its old town. One of the city’s

three Gothic churches, the

Johanniskirche, has a 354-ft (108-m)

high brick steeple that leans more

than 6 ft (2 m) from the perpen-

dicular. Built between 1300 and

1370 and restored in 1420, it is

considered a major example of

north German brick architecture.

The city’s most important

monu ment is the Rathaus (Jan–

Mar: open Tue–Sat; Apr–Dec: open

daily), located in Am Markt. This town

hall, parts of which date back to

the 13th century, is one of the most

architecturally interesting town

halls in northern Germany. Its council

chamber features Renaissance

wood work by 16th-cen tury artist

Albert von Soest, and the Museum

im Rathaus holds a remark able

collection of municipal silverware.

To the left of the town hall, the

Schroederstrasse is lined with

good restaurants, cafés, and bars.

Stroll on Ilmenaustrasse, which

2 Lüneburger Heide

Lower Saxony; 21274

Situated south of Hamburg,

between the Elbe and Aller rivers,

the Lüneburger Heide is a remote,

enticing heathland and nature reserve.

The half-stepped terrain also serves

as grazing land for a special breed of

sheep, the Heidschnucken. Starting

at the pretty village of Undeloh, this

area can easily be explored on foot,

by bike or horse-drawn carriage

(Mühlenstrasse 2, Bispingen; 01805 20

07 05). The highlight is the tradi tional

village of Wilsede, whose tranquil

Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150

runs past the old port on the Ilmenau

river. On Lüner Strasse stands the Altes

Kaufhaus, a former herring ware-

house with a superb Baroque façade.

This striking building was formerly

used to load salt on to ships. A walk

across the historic heart of the city

leads to Michaeliskirche, with its

beautiful basilica, consecrated in 1409.

ª From Lüneburg, take the B209

toward Amelinghausen, then

follow the road to Soderstorf. Take

Schulstrasse toward Evendorf and

then Evendorf Dorfstrasse to Egestorf,

then get on to Schätzendorfer Strasse

in the direction of Hanstedt. In

Schätzendorf, turn left to Undeloh.