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Nico Berg, ex-captain of AIDA Cruises, mentions that the location “feels like home”
A retired cruise line commander has revealed what he considers one of the top places to explore in Europe — and it turns out to be an obscure treasure rarely visited by large groups of travelers.
Having spent over two decades navigating the seas aboard both cruise and freight vessels, Captain Nico Berg has explored nearly all parts of the globe—yet one location continues to stand out in his memory.
He considers
Germany
‘Hamburg is a top destination in Europe, particularly for travelers seeking an alternative to more popular spots like Rome or Paris.’
In an interview with
Wine Traveler
The former captain of AIDA Cruises, which was previously owned by Germans, stated that nothing surpasses traveling along the Elbe at dawn and arriving at Hamburg Harbor.
The river Elbe, which passes through the Czech Republic and Germany on its way to the North Sea, was one of Nico’s preferred paths.
Spanning 680 miles, the river flows through mountainous regions, rural landscapes, and ultimately reaches the center of Hamburg — an experience he describes as unforgettably remarkable.
He mentioned the “remarkable” scenery as the vessel moored ahead of the harbor piers’ bend, with the sunrise appearing behind the iconic Hamburg Michel church.
Nico said: “Even though I am at home everywhere around the globe as a sailor, Hamburg always makes me feel like I’m returning home. As our vessel departs from Hamburg Harbor, visitors line up along the Elbe River and enthusiastically wave at us.”
The ex-captain suggests the Speicherstadt, also known as the “City of Warehouses,” for newcomers.
This vast network of canals and brick-built storage facilities used to be a duty-free trading region, and is currently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Speicherstadt covers an area of 260,000 square meters, holding the title of the biggest storage facility globally.
For a close-up perspective, the ideal approach is to board a tiny boat and navigate the network of tight canals.
Nowadays, Speicherstadt functions as a lively center, featuring various museums, spice stores, and an extensive miniature train exhibition.
Interestingly, the area continues to manage coffee, cocoa, and electronics exactly as it did over 100 years ago.
Nico also suggests visiting Hamburg’s unusual and historical St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel, which was inaugurated in 1911, located under the river and accessible for walkers and bicyclists.
He additionally encourages guests to explore the city’s famous Fish Market, operational every Sunday morning since 1703. Those who get up early will find a variety of offerings including live performances and freshly caught sea food.
Meanwhile, a
A woman who has spent 3,000 nights traveling across the seas has shared the places that all cruise travelers should consider visiting and sailing toward.
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Joy Howe, 78, hailing from Malvern in Worcestershire, mentions that her daughter encouraged her to take her initial seaside vacation after losing her husband, Michael, when she was only 49—and she has been enjoying them ever since.
Having cautiously embarked on her initial cruise 27 years back, she quickly adjusted to life at sea and mentions that by the midpoint of her first journey, she had already reserved her next adventure—and has since traveled across six continents and 58 nations.
A travel specialist mentions that her longest journey was an extensive global tour which included visits to Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, India, and Malaysia.
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