44
Above Old mill beside a pond in the town of
Ahrensburg Below Picturesque old town
and canal in Lübeck1 Wedel
Schleswig-Holstein; 22880
Situated on the Elbe river’s right bank,
Wedel was once an important cattle
market. A reminder of this is the
Roland of Wedel monument that
stands in the Marktplatz as a symbol
of market law. The town’s main attrac-
tion is the Willkomm-Höft (welcome
point) on the Elbe. Vessels arriving
here have been traditionally
greeted with flag signals
since 1952, while the national
anthem of the country of
origin of the ship is played.
ª Take Pinneberger Strasse to
Pinneberg. Head to Schnellsen
via Rellingen. Take the B432,
then B433 to Hummelsbuttel.
Get on to Poppenbutteler Weg.
Take Saseler Damm/Saseler
Chaussee to Ahrensburg.BACK ROADS GERMANY
Statue in the town
of Ratzeburg3 Ratzeburg
Schleswig-Holstein; 23909
Ratzeburg is situated on
an island in the Grosser
Ratzeburger See. In 1143,
Heinrich der Löwe (Henry
the Lion) became the ruler
of the town and was respon-
sible for the con struc tion of the
Romanesque Dom (May–Sept: open
daily; Oct–Apr: closed Mon). An early
exam ple of brick architec ture, the
cathe dral fea tures deco ra tive
elements in the southern vesti bule.
ª Return to Harmsdorf and
continue on the B207 to Lübeck.2 Ahrensburg
Schleswig-Holstein; 22926
Located in the Tunneltal, Ahrensburg
is part of the Hamburg metro politan4 Lübeck
Schleswig-Holstein; 23552
By the end of the Middle Ages, Lübeck had become one of the richest
and most powerful Hanseatic towns in Europe. Today, it is renowned
for its unique Backsteingotik (north German Gothic brick architecture)
and seven towers. The town was also home to Nobel Laureate Thomas
Mann, one of the most famous figures in the German literary world.WHERE TO STAYLÜBECK
Radisson Blu Hotel Lübeck moderate
The modern Radisson Blu has all the
amenities of an upmarket business
hotel. Its homey interior has a
distinctive mari time touch. The hotel
also has an indoor pool and a fine
German restaurant.
Willy-Brandt-Allee 6, 23554; 0451 14 20;
http://www.senatorhotel.de
Ringhotel Jensen moderate
One of the oldest hotels in the old town,
this family-run place has individually
designed rooms with modern facilities.
An der Obertrave 4–5, 23552; 0451 70
24 90; http://www.hotel-jensen.deFEHMARN
Die Strandburg moderate
This well-equipped four-star hotel has
upmarket holiday apart ments in
different sizes.
In der Strandburg, 23769; 04371 86
96 66; http://www.strandburg.com
IFA Fehmarn moderate
A three-star hotel with a beachfront
complex and 422 apart ments. It also
has wellness and spa services.
Burg, Südstrandpromenade 23769;
04371 890; http://www.ifa-fehmarn-hotel.comA two-hour walking tour
Exiting the parking lot at the end
of Wallstrasse, turn right on to
Holstenstrasse to the Holstentor 1 ,
or Holsten gate. Based on Flemish
designs, the gate was built by Hinrich
Helmstede at the end of the 15th
century. Con ti nue on Holstenstrasse
to the 14th-century Petrikirche 2
(closed Mon), or Church of St. Peter,Lübeck’s only five-naved church.
Turn left into Schlusselbuden to visit
Marienkirche 3 (open daily), which
houses great art treasures. From here,
turn left into Mengstrasse to the
Schabbelhaus 4 , a charming patri-
cian house with step ped gables.
Return to Schlusselbuden and con-
tinue along Mengstrasse to the
Gothic Buddenbrookhaus 5 (openVISITING LÜBECKParking
Parkhaus Mitte, in the center of the
town, is the best spot for parking.
Tourist Information
Welcome Center; Holstentorplatz 1,
23552; 045188 997 00; http://www.luebeck-
tourism.de; open dailyWhere to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150area. The town’s highlight is the
Renaissance Schloss Ahrensburg
(Mar–Oct: open Sat & Sun; Nov–Feb: open
Wed, Sat & Sun), which dates back to- The build ing has four pro mi nent
corner towers and luxurious interiors.
ª Head to the A1, cross it to reach
Stubben, then get on to Labenz. Take
Klein Kinkrade then Hauptstrasse to
Sierksrade. Take the B208 to Ratzeburg.