An unusual kitchen idea

During the course of a 2-month internship, the winner of the Sharp #GetItDownOnPaper Competition Siobhán Andrews took advantage of the resources available at such a successful and technically adept company to bring her idea to life in the form of a prototype. Her concept for potentially making life in the kitchen easier for any amateur chef is the so-called Chopping Board 2.0, also known as the Chop Sync. The Chop Sync is essentially a large board which combines several practical functions.
An Internet connection provides users with a convenient way of seeking out the required recipe in advance ready to be brought to life in the actual pots and pans. The ingredients needed can be measured out on the spot with the aid of integrated scales, and quantities are automatically calculated depending on the number of diners entered into the system. The surface of the device is even robust enough to allow all the component parts of the meal to be cut to the right shape and size on the chopping board itself. Although Siobhán’s invention may not find its way into the shops, we still think it’s still a pretty cool idea!

ARCOTEL Hotels – The Story of a Name

Founder Raimund D. Wimmer

It all started with the vision of ARCOTEL Hotels founder Raimund Wimmer to develop an Austrian hotel group in which each hotel has its own unique personality. But a great company needs a great name! And so ideas were hatched and suggestions made until, after much discussion, the name ARCOTEL Hotels was born.   

the origin logo of the ARCOTEL group

But why ARCOTEL? What is the deeper meaning behind this artificial word? The syllables are easily explained: ARCus (lat. arch) and ÔTEL (German with a French accent, the guesthouse). The name blends two concepts and expresses Raimund Wimmer’s idea of spanning an arc between the host and the guest and offering guests a home from home. This in turn led to our corporate philosophy of "passionate hosts", which the teams at ARCOTEL Hotels having been putting into practice for more than 25 years now.

But the unofficial explanation for the name is this: Raimund Wimmer wanted his guests to find him as quickly as possible. He therefore chose a name that would come pretty near the front of the telephone directory – even in those days, our founder was ahead of his time, because in a way, he was already doing "search engine optimisation" 25 years ago. 

Hamburg for the whole family

Many argue that Hamburg is the most beautiful city in Germany. This is why it is also known as the "pearl" of the north. Hamburg has many faces, ranging from the historic (city centre) to the ultra modern (HafenCity), and from the traditional (fish market) to the hip and trendy (Schanzen district). We have asked around and looked around, and put together some great and entertaining thing s for the whole family to do. All you need to do is convene the family council, plan all the entertaining things you want to do and then enjoy your stay in the city. Allow yourself to be amazed by the diversity and variety of Hamburg!

SIGHTSEEING
What could be more exciting than discovering the history of the city of Hamburg together? The easiest way is with the legendary double - decker buses, great fun for all the family. It's not just the children that stand amazed at the port: everyone can marvel at the small boats and massive ships, some of which can also be boarded. Taking a trip in a small motorboat or a large steamboat is an experience in itself.

THE WORLD IN MINIATURE
Visiting the now world - famous MIWULA, Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg is an absolute must when here with the family. This is where you can see Europe's largest model train exhibition! It takes just a few minutes from the desert city of Las Vegas to Hamburg, while the large Knuffingen Airport is impressive not just for fans of aviation and technology, and you can even watch take-offs and landings.

ALWAYS ON THE MOVE
If the weather is good we recommend taking a trip to the Climbing Forest. Here, everyone aged 5 and up can hang from tree to tree. If you prefer the water then you can splash about and swim in one of the 25 Bäderland swimming pools, including the children's adventure area, flumes and jumps. And for anyone still not tired enough to fall into bed, there's always the Rabatzz indoor play area. Here it's all about running, climbing, crawling, sliding, jumping and skipping. The "Planten un Blomen" park offers the whole family the chance to experience nature in the heart of Hamburg. And if that is not adventurous and exciting enough, you can visit one of Germany's largest leisure and theme parks, Heide Park.

SCIENCE & CULTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Why does the giraffe have such a long neck? Can elephants really trumpet? And do orang-utans understand sign language? You'll find all the answers at the amazing Hagenbeck Zoo. If you want to know what it's like to grow up with monkeys or meet a real king of the jungle, you're best advised to take in one of the marvellous musicals in Hamburg, such as "ROCKY – the Musical" or "The Lion King". If it's the infinite stars in the sky above the Savannah in Africa that you're dreaming about, you can experience this "live" in one of the most advanced planetariums in Europe. We recommend the shows for children. But if things have yet to click for you then get yourself down to the KL!CK Children's Museum in Hamburg. Here it's all hands-on, and getting involved is a must.

Musuem and bunker underneath the Main Trainstation

Did you know that a bunker is hiding under our Hamburg Main Trainstation? Don't worry, you are not the only one who didn't know that. Even long-established Hamburg citizens do not know this .

Only 10 minutes from the hotel ARCOTEL Rubin exists the only underground bunker museum in Northern Germany . The bunker was built in 1941-1944 during the Second World War. The total area of ​​2,700 m² is spread over 3 floors and was designed to protect up to 2,460 people . Few Hamburg bunkers could accommodate so many people at once. After the war, the underground bunker at first fell into a deep sleep. In 1965, during the " Cold War" , the capacity of the bunker was increased in order to protect 2,702 people. 

Today the bunker provides a shelter for occurring disasters and for guided tours. The guide leads visitors through an adventurous journey to the underworld based on the history of World War II. During this tour , many of the 150 rooms are shown. The entrance to the bunker for the tour is located on the Steintorwall right next to the main train station and is also the entrance in case of an emergency. 

Tour info: bunker Steintorwall
Admission: EUR 7.00 per person , concessions EUR 5.00 per personDuration of the guided tour : 100 minutesPre-registration is essential for this tour. Your tour booking , you can easily book online.

Apple Day - or funny and interesting things about the apple

Right on time for Apple Day, we want to devote our blog entry today to the refreshing and healthy fruit. Whoever thinks “Apple... how boring”, should know that the apple can do much more than just spend its existence as the bitten into variety in the logo of a large and well-known American company.

Viewed historically, the apple already has several legends under its belt. One of the best known is probably the story of Adam and Eve, in which the apple played a rather fateful role. Also in Greek mythology, the apple in the form of a present was rumoured to have finally triggered the Trojan War. In many cultures, the round fruit is indeed considered a symbol for love, fertility and the giver of life, and is assigned as a symbol to the corresponding goddesses.

Now as then, the apple serves as an excellent source of vitamins and keeps the body healthy.
Particularly during the winter months, the vitamin store needs to be regularly replenished. For this reason, we are greeting our guests when they arrive with tasty apples in their rooms. The teeth also benefit from regularly enjoying an apple: the apple is also commonly known as Nature’s toothbrush.

And we finish with a small fun fact:

A well-known apple lover was Friedrich Schiller. All over his studio and in his desk drawers were apples, but not to eat, as it is generally thought. Friedrich Schiller loved the mouldy apple smell given off by the decaying fruit. This smell was the source of his inspiration.

Autumn - Time for the largest berry of the world

This month is culinarily devoted to "the largest berry of the world" - the pumpkin.
Cucurbits are originally from America , but are now cultivated in all the warmer regions . Our ancestors have eaten the edible squash many thousands of years before Christ in many different variations already . What makes the usually orange -colored berries so delicious and healthy, is the fact that the pumpkin is low on calories ( 25 calories per 100 grams), is rich in vitamins, aromatic and wonderfully versatile in the kitchen.

Our recipe of the month is hence simple, but delicious:

Pumpkin Apple Cream Soup .
Follow this link in order to receive the recipe : http://bit.ly/monatsrezept

Who is up for a nightcap in the crystal bar: this month awaits our guests another two great  creations of the Martini family:

AGAVE CHOCOLATE MARTINI & BASIL MARTINI

Not just a looker during production, also a great taste experience , or have you ever tasted a cocktail with basil?

Culinary September Highlights

Tafelspitz – A Viennese Classic

The name of the delicious cut of boiling beef that is so well-known from Viennese cuisine is of Bavarian-Austrian origin. While it is basically a simple dish to prepare, a couple of tips and tricks are needed to make sure you get the very best result. Beef that is boiled in water quickly loses its distinctive flavour, so the secret is making sure that you season the stock properly. One well-known lover of Tafelspitz was the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. He could never get enough of the tender cut of beef that is similar to silverside.

Viennese Tafelspitz is served in a bowl together with the stock in which it was boiled. Traditionally, it is accompanied by apple and horseradish sauce.

The picture shows our: Altwiener Tafelspitz with chive sauce, apple and horseradish sauce, pan-fried potatoes and fine creamed spinach

Pssst… our cocktail of the month will also knock your socks off:

Negroni – The Stronger Americano

The origins of the Negroni cocktail can be traced back to Italy. According to legend, Count Camillo Negroni, a well-known man about town, went to his favourite bar one day and asked the barman to make him a stronger Americano. The barman responded by creating this unusual drink which is made of Campari, vermouth and gin. Ever since, this delightful drink has been known as a "Negroni" and in Italy it is especially popular as an aperitif.

"Heaven can wait chor" at the St. Pauli Theater

Inspired by the American film "Young @ Heart", and the British band "The
Zimmer", whose oldish members not only inspire the Americans and British, the generation is also in this regional choir project of the St. Pauli Theater 70 + on stage and they want to rock. "This choir performs only hits from the past few decades, such as "Stayin 'Alive" by the Bee Gees, "die perfekte Welle" by Juli, "Gekommen um zu bleiben" by Wir sind Helden, "Smells Like Spirit" by Nirvana. They are nightly accompanied by a live band.

The musical manager Jan Christof itself is an all-rounder and knows the Hamburg music scene like no other.

Credits: Frank Siemers

Sporty, Sportier, ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg 2nd Place in the Competition for the Sportiest Team of Hosts

"Do you go jogging with your colleagues through the hotel lobby, do press-ups in the restaurant, turn pans into dumbbells in the kitchen or compete against one another in the hotel pool. Or do you work out together after you’ve finished work? If you do, then take a photo!" – this was the invitation to take part in a competition of a very different kind.
"Our 4-star Superior Hotel ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg didn’t have to be asked twice by the AHGZ (Allgemeinen Hotel- und Gastronomie-Zeitung) and got straight down to business – after all, this competition was simply perfect for a hotel team that is always on the move", as Manfred Mayer – CEO of ARCOTEL Hotel AG – put it.

The reception was turned into a gym as the ARCOTEL Rubin team showed off its sporty side.
Trainee Elisa Schöncke occasionally likes to take the plunge into a hotel bath, while Marco Schubert, the head waiter from the banqueting department, keeps himself fit by doing chin-ups on the baggage trolley. And if that were not enough, he "lifts" both Front Office Manager Myriam Spalting and Front Office Agent Caroline Schweizer and their chairs. The AHGZ rewarded this tongue-in-cheek sporting ambition with a voucher for a House Running session. Adventure-loving athletes are attached to a special harness and then given the chance to take a most unusual walk along the edge of a hotel roof before walking down the side of the building facing the floor.

Rainer Müller – Management ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg:
"Our team has already built up a reputation as passionate hosts – after all, the ARCOTEL claim is 'Hosts with a Passion'. The ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg also has a passion for sports and proves that a 'sporting attitude' is always an advantage, even for a job in the hotel industry."

The ARCOTEL Rubin Team on the HSH Nordbank Run

The simple basic idea behind the HSH Nordbank Run, northern Germany’s biggest charity run, is to get people out running with their colleagues, bosses and friends with none of the stress of a competition and with the satisfaction of knowing it’s all in a good cause. The team at the ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg also liked the sound of this fantastic idea and last weekend put on their running shoes to help a good cause.

In glorious summer weather, thousands gathered in the HafenCity for the same reason as the team from the ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg, namely to run four kilometres through this youngest and rapidly-growing district of Hamburg in aid of the children’s charity "Kinder helfen Kindern". All in all: 789 teams with 21,162 participants took part – a phenomenal success!

Rainer Müller – General Manager of the ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg:
"The HSH Nordbank Run is northern Germany’s biggest charity run and thanks to steadily growing enthusiasm, has become a tradition in its own right. It was a great honour for us to take part in this exemplary project with other like-minded people. One of the most fantastic things was that we all had so much fun while at the same time doing something for our health and raising money for charity. "

The four kilometre race was more exciting than ever this year: After the horn of the Queen Mary 2 had given the starting signal, the teams ran through the Sandtor Park towards the Überseequartier in glorious sunshine and a light breeze. The commercial heart of the HafenCity was followed by perhaps the most beautiful section of the route, with runners moving along the waterfront of the Brooktorhafen before circling the Ericusspitze. The next section of the route went to the Sandtorkai and offered a wonderful view of the Speicherstadt, before continuing to the landing stages of the venerable harbour. Runners then continued over the spacious Magellan terraces in the direction of the Kaiserkai Promenade with its magnificent view of Hamburg’s future landmark, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall. Now it was just a few more metres to the Marco Polo terraces and the finishing line of what is probably the most beautiful course in Germany.

ARCOTEL Hotels and VERPOORTEN make Hobby Bakers’ Dreams Come True!

"Win a place at a baking workshop and at the same time spend a luxury weekend in the 4-star superior hotel ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg, including travel to and from the hotel." That was the invitation to all amateur baking enthusiasts who didn't want to miss this fantastic opportunity. ARCOTEL Hotels and VERPOORTEN gave away places at this very special culinary summit meeting, which included hotel accommodation, in a prize draw and made 16 participants extremely happy.

A World Champion Pastry Chef met a "yellow classic" at the 4-star superior hotel ARCOTEL Rubin. With her heavenly recipes, the World Champion Pastry Chef Andrea Schirmaier-Huber (35) belongs to the nation's culinary elite and sets the standard for unusual and exquisite baked goods. Baking enthusiasts now had the perfect opportunity to learn from her at a one-off bakery workshop at the ARCOTEL Rubin. Together they prepared culinary creations using the "yellow classic" according to fail-safe recipes developed by Andrea Schirmaier-Huber exclusively for the family-owned business VERPOORTEN from Bonn. She also gave valuable baking tips and showed the group a number of tricks as well as demonstrating the versatility of VERPOORTEN ORIGINAL as an ingredient in tasty recipes.

The list of recipes that were tried out at the baking workshop at the ARCOTEL Rubin delighted the group even before things got started. The programme included Amore Cake Pops, Love Muffins with Strawberries and VERPOORTEN, and spring cheesecake cup-cakes.

Follow the link for additional photos, recipes and tutorial videos:
http://www.verpoorten.de/specials/Kuchen-Rezepte-Back-Workshop-mit-Konditoren-Weltmeisterin.html

Taster Day in the ARCOTEL Rubin

On Thursday, 13 December 2012 we welcomed around 15 young men and women who are participating in a part-time course in the hotel industry / gastronomy.

In cooperation with Department for U25 Career Advice at the Employment Agency in Hamburg, we organised a series of programmes to outline the various jobs and opportunities in our industry to these young people from midday to 3.00pm, in a very "palatable" way.

The young people were welcomed by Mr Müller and Ms Koblitz. After a brief round of introductions, both of them presented themselves and their careers. They also touched on the various training opportunities available at the ARCOTEL Rubin. The young people were then taken on a guided tour of the hotel by Mr Stahl.

For the last part of the day the visitors were split into two groups. In these groups they were able to gain some practical insight into two key departments at the hotel, the kitchen and the events restaurant FACETTE. Tables were laid immaculately and various cutting techniques were practised in the kitchen. Finally, the groups sat down at the set tables and ate the food they had all prepared together.

The purpose of the day was to pass on some knowledge to the young people and perhaps also encourage one or two to join us for professional training.

A wander through Hamburg's Christmas markets

November is drawing to a close, the days are becoming shorter again, and slowly but surely everyone is getting into a festive mood. Of course, this time of year we cannot miss out on the Christmas markets, and there are plenty in Hamburg to choose from. Gift ideas with a difference can be found well on into the night in Hamburg's most frivolous Christmas market – Santa Pauli – on the Reeperbahn. If you're looking for something a little quieter and cosier then you're best to visit the traditional Christmas markets, such as the one on the Rathausmarkt with its arts, crafts and carvings. One particular highlight here is Father Christmas, who hovers above the Christmas market with his sledge every day at 4.00pm, 6.00pm and 8.00pm.

Here we have put together a summary of all the Christmas markets in central Hamburg for you:

Jungfernstieg:
26.11.-31.12.2012, daily11.00 a.m. - 09.00 p.m. (24. + 25.2012. closed)

Petri-Church
26.11.-30.12.2012, daily 11.00 a.m. -9.00 p.m. (25. + 26.2012. closed)

Spitalerstraße:
26.11.-30.12.2012, daily 11.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. (25. + 26.2012. closed)

Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz:
26.11.-30.12.2012, daily 11.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. (25. + 26.2012. closed)

Gänsemarkt:
26.11.-23.12.2012, daily 11.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m.

Rathausmarkt:
26.11.-23.12.2012, daily 11.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m., Friday & Saturday til 10.00 p.m.

Fleetinsel:
26.11.-23.12.2012, daily noon - 9.00 p.m.

HafenCity at the Überseequartier
26.11.-23.12.2012, daily noon - 8.00 p.m.

Santa Pauli:
22.11.-23.12.2012, Monday-Thursday 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m., Friday 5.00 p.m. - 1.00 a.m., Saturday 1.00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m., Sunday 1.00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

ARCOTEL Rubin, 5 years – a "small anniversary"

(Photo from left to right: Victor Broohm, Nancy Damm, Henrike Burkard, Katrin Hennig, Kristina Rauch, Ulli Seehase, Rainer Müller, Gabriele Koblitz, Mario Hinkel, Mario Kleinbauer, Peter Greite and in the middle as mobile bar Annett Freigang)

It's amazing just how fast time passes. To us it seems like only yesterday that we opened the glass doors of the ARCOTEL Rubin at the grand opening for guests. But in actual fact, this took place 5 years ago on 26 October 2007. Back then the media reported that "ARCOTEL Rubin offers top quality comfort and convenience with a natural but outstanding service, combining modern life, cosmopolitanism and a love for tradition in a contrasting yet uniform manner." Today we can proudly say that these same values still underlie all the work we do.

Since we are always on the look-out for a good reason to celebrate, we took the opportunity of this small anniversary on 26 October 2012 to take stock of the last five years with our guests and neighbours from the district of St. Georg over coffee and cakes. Many guests spontaneously struck up a rendition of Happy Birthday when enjoying a welcome drink from our mobile bar, to express their congratulations on our 5th birthday. We are now already asking ourselves what we could do if we meet together in another five years to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ARCOTEL Rubin.

Hamburg is the place to be for New Year!

There are lots of places where you can see out 2012 and give a fitting welcome to 2013. Naturally, we are biased and can imagine no finer place than Hamburg. At the turn of the New Year you can really make a noise here, whether it’s on land at small or large parties, or on the water on the Rivers Elbe and Alster.

There is an unimaginable range of possibilities, from large New Year’s Eve parties through to lively boat parties, where you can watch the fantastic, colourful fireworks in Hamburg’s skies from the water. On board you can pop the champagne corks and enjoy a New Year’s Eve buffet in a pleasant atmosphere with musical entertainment. The most spectacular fireworks will be set off in the harbour and on the River Alster. As this is well-known, many people come to Hamburg every year from all around. On the stroke of midnight the harbour skies are lit up by the rockets’ breathtakingly colourful light and all the boats welcome in the New Year by sounding their horns. No-one goes home hungry either, as there are lots of stalls along the harbour promenade. For those who don’t want to miss the fireworks but don’t want to be in the crowds of people, there is a small trip available on the outer Alster lakes. There are many locations here where you can observe and enjoy the light show in the sky in peace and quiet.

Our ARCOTEL Rubin Tip: Celebrate the New Year to your heart’s content in Hamburg and start your New Year’s Eve in the ARCOTEL Rubin with our celebratory New Year’s Eve buffet in the FACETTE restaurant. We will let you quietly sleep off a long night and you can then enjoy our New Year lie-in breakfast.

Run and jump through June

In Hamburg, June is all about sporting endeavours, sweaty trainers and the fun of exercise. There’s one sporting event after another: charity runs, beach volleyball Super Cup, hella hamburg half marathon, German Derby and Hamburg ballet days.

  

It’ll be on your marks, get set, go on 03.06.2012 at the Race for the Cure® charity run in the tall ships harbour of the Hanseatic city. Everyone is encouraged to support women with breast cancer in a sporty way according to the motto "Race for Life". You can also get sweaty and run for a good cause in the HSH North Bank Run in the city. This is a 4 kilometre run on 16.06.2012. For every runner or team a donation will be made to the project "Children helping children", started by the Hamburg Evening Paper, called Hamburger Abendblatt.  

Those people for whom short distances are no longer a challenge, should not miss the hella hamburg half marathon on 24.06.2012. The 18th summer half marathon will start in the city on the Reeperbahn and the athletes will go past the Altonaer fish market, along the St. Pauli Landing Bridges, past the central railway station and Outer Alster Lake to the finish line on Rothenbaumchaussee. Amongst others the local radio station Hamburg 1 will be there with an entertainment program, music and some delicious refuelling for the successful runners. 

If you prefer to feel the sand between your toes when it’s warm then you can head on down to the Strandkai district on 08.06 – 10.06.2012 for the beach volleyball Super Cup as part of the Smart Beach Tour 2012 and cheer on your favourite team. There’s sport for the animals too from 29.06 – 05.07.2012 at the German Derby.  On the third of the six race days the most important race in the racing calendar for the Blue Ribbon takes place. There’s a gentler pace at the 38th Hamburg ballet days from 17.06 – 01.07.2012, which has become the traditional high point and end of the season for the HAMBURG BALLET. Come along and be enchanted by the many international dance stars in the Hamburg State Opera.  

Easter in Hamburg

Nothing planned yet for the Easter holiday? Then we thoroughly recommend a short break in Hamburg where there is a whole lot more going on than just Easter egg hunts – a wealth of interesting things to see and do over the holiday.

A popular attraction are, of course, the traditional Easter bonfires (Osterfeuer) which will be lit at several locations along the river Elbe on Easter Saturday (7th April) as part of the Easter celebrations. And if you really can’t make up your mind which one of the many bonfires to go to, why not enjoy the atmosphere of an Easter bonfire boat trip along the Elbe and get the best possible view of all the bonfires? The trip departs from the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken pier and the journey takes around two hours. With refreshments available on board, you can just sit back and enjoy this amazing spectacle.

Fans of the music of Johannes Brahms, Hamburg’s most famous citizen, will also not be disappointed over Easter. His music is to be the focus of the seventh Hamburg Ostertöne festival to be held at the city’s Laeiszhalle. Now an established part of the musical calendar the festival, which runs from 6 – 9 April, is under the artistic direction of Simone Young, Director of Hamburg’s State Opera. The central theme running through this year’s concerts will be a series of musical arrangements, written for the piano, reflecting the interplay between past and present.

Let’s just hope that the April weather is kind to us and that we will see at least some sunshine over the Easter weekend!

It’s not only the steadily increasing temperatures which promise a pleasant March. We’ve summarised our highlights for the month and hope you’ll enjoy them!

In March a constant stream of stars will again be performing at Hamburg’s O2 World. This month will see Udo Lindenberg, Dieter Nuhr, Scooter, Roger Cicero & Band, Atze Schröder and the crazy Hamburg Hip Hop and Electro band Deichkind making the hall rock. The St. Pauli theatre, the city’s oldest private theatre and one of Germany’s oldest theatres, will be staging the Pulitzer Prize winning play Death of a Salesman. The premiere of the major classic Sonny Boy is on 31st March and tells the tale of the comic duo Willie and Al.

The International Week Against Racism runs from 16th to 24th March, setting a clear sign against intolerance and xenophobia thanks to the active support of many well-known figures during concerts, readings and workshops.

Another event not to be missed is the three-way “battle of the arts” at the Schauspielhaus on 25th March, where the two Slam giants Julius Fischer and Sebastian 23 will face off against each other in the disciplines text, film and song. Equally to be recommended is a visit to this year’s spring fair at the Hamburger Dom which opens its gates to visitors on 23rd March.

What highlights await you in Hamburg during 2012?

Although the past year was an eventful one, the prospects for 2012 are extremely promising. A wide range of diverse events await us.

2012 will be a year of several high points for motorbike fans. Right at the start of the year, on January 27th and 28th, the engines will be running hot and humming at the Hamburger Motorrad Tage, the city’s motorbike event, and visitors will be able to look at and examine the latest motorbike models on display. The legendary bikers’ church service, held in Hamburg’s St Michaelis church, takes place on 10th June. Each year around 10,000 bikers attend this service, driving off in convoy afterwards to celebrate in Kaltenkirchen. Hamburg is again firmly in the hands of motorbike enthusiasts just a few days later as they meet up for the Harley Days, from 22nd to 24th June, to indulge in their shared hobby.

The Port of Hamburg will also be busy again in the coming year. There’s hustle and bustle with both large and small cruise ships entering the port. You’ll find a complete list (in German) of all those ships arriving under http://www.hamburg.de/kreuzfahrtschiffe/ . A particular highlight, and certainly worth a trip to the port, are the regular annual visits of the impressive Queen Mary 2. During this year’s Cruise Days, from 17th to 19th August, seven cruise ships will drop anchor in the Port of Hamburg. At night, artist Michael Batz’s Blue Port lighting production submerges the port in magical blue light, illuminating the ships to create a fascinating, all-embracing work of art. Equally to be recommended is the port’s annual birthday festivities, which will be celebrated on a large scale this year, from 11th to 13th June. This year we welcome India as our partner country.

High spirits and colourful parties are popular again this year. Laughing and dancing partygoers meet up at major events including the Schlagermove, Hamburg’s festival of Schlager, or popular, music, and the Christopher Street Day gay pride parade. Schlager music fans get out their 1970’s trousers and flower print shirts on 7th July to dance to the best Schlager songs, accompanied by 45 decorated trucks. The event starts and finishes at the Heiligengeistfeld in St. Pauli. On Saturday 4th August the Christopher Street Day Parade sets off on its procession from St. Georg. Whether leather boys, feather boas, dykes on bikes, dance groups or bikini girls – it’s going to be colourful again!

Hamburg: European Green Capital 2011

In 2009, the European Commission launched the European Green Capital Award, in order to strengthen environmental awareness in Europe’s cities and promote sound economic growth compatible with the protection of natural resources. Stockholm was the first city to hold the annual title of European Green Capital and was succeeded by Hamburg on 15 December 2010. When stating the reasons for its decision, the European Commission particularly lauded Hamburg’s efforts to reduce air pollution, its management of urban traffic congestions and greenhouse gas emissions and its ambitious plans for future environmentally-friendly measures. The priority issues for this special year included the categories of climate & energy, sustainable consumption, mobility, nature & urban green space, protection of resources & economic activity, and urban development & housing.

As Hamburg’s year as Europe’s Green Capital 2011 draws to its end, we look back on a time filled with exciting activities. One of them was the “Train of Ideas”, which toured Europe on a mission to draw attention to its “visions for future cities”. In addition, the “My Tree – My City” campaign provided everyone interested with the opportunity to donate money for the planting of a particular tree in a particular location. As soon as sufficient money was donated for a particular tree, the city of Hamburg doubled the donated amount, so that the tree could be immediately planted in the designated place. These are only two of the many interesting activities that were carried out as part of the European Green Capital Initiative in the past few months. However, the year has not ended yet, and a visit to the website umwelthauptstadt.hamburg.de will provide Hamburg’s citizens and visitors with detailed information on the upcoming events in the next two months. For 2012, Hamburg will hand over the title of European Green Capital to the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz in the north of Spain.