German Christmas Markets

Surrounded by water, and located on the River Elbe, Hamburg has a heritage stretching back over 700 years, where many of the historic buildings and monuments are typical of the Hanseatic culture, such as the steeple of St. Nikolai, which was almost destroyed in World War II. A significant maritime city, Hamburg is crisscrossed with hundreds of canals and thousands of bridges, including the 17th century Zollenbrücke Bridge and the famous Köhlbrandbrücke – high enough for ships to pass underneath.

Originally occupied in the 9th century by the Vikings, the charming town of Honfleur has attracted artists for many years, with masterpieces housed in its museums and art galleries. Under the guidance of Eugène Boudin, a young Claude Monet and his friend Alfred Sisley began studying light effects and painting landscapes outdoors, rather than from memory, trailblazing for artists of the future.