Saudi FM calls Indian, Pakistani counterparts to discuss developments    Al Hilal thrash Gwangju to reach AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Saudi Arabia cracks down on fraudulent Hajj campaigns, urges pilgrims to use official channels    Nammos Amala Resort to open soon with Saudi-Greek designs    Saudi Arabia completes 674 Vision 2030 initiatives, achieves 93% of KPIs as ninth-year milestone marked    Literature Commission inaugurates Saudi Pavilion at Muscat Book Fair    Saudi Minister of Culture holds talks with his Costa Rican counterpart in Jeddah    Alkhorayef praises advancements in Al-Kharj food industries sector    MHRSD: 80% of recruitment offices are non-compliant with regulations    At least 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza    Teenage girl killed in French school stabbing attack    Trump claims meeting with China after Beijing denies any trade negotiations    GACA chief chairs 16th meeting of the Steering Committee on aviation's strategy    Saudi Theater Commission launches its Work and Learn Project in UK    The season has begun — and one comment shook us all    Jennifer Lopez dazzles in Jeddah with a Formula 1 performance    Saudi Arabia open to expanded 64-team World Cup in 2034, says sports minister    Average life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rises to78.8 years    Film Commission launches 'Cinema' initiative to enhance content    Famed Philippine film star Nora Aunor dies at 71    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



For Gulf family travelers, no place quite like Hamburg
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 23 - 07 - 2008

LAMISE Awad, an Arab executive working in Dubai, travels to Hamburg regularly for the summer:
“There is no place quite like Hamburg,” he said. “We first went there in 2005 to accompany my nephew, who underwent treatment in one of the city's top-notch medical institutions. After three weeks, he was fully rehabilitated –- and the whole family had found a new favorite holiday destination. Ever since, we have returned every summer.”
The German port city of Hamburg is increasingly attracting travelers from the GCC countries. According to recent data from the Northern Germany Statistical Office, the number of overnight stays from the region increased by an impressive 34% in 2007 alone, placing the GCC third in the list of Hamburg's most important tourism source markets, along with Europe and the United States.
“The GCC was our fastest-growing source market in 2007 and it looks like the positive trend will persist further throughout 2008,” said Heike Kamolz, Gulf States director of the Hamburg Tourist Board
The total number of overnight stays of Gulf tourists in Hamburg reached more than 33,000 last year, most of which over the summer period.
This year again, large numbers of Gulf Arabs, particularly from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, are heading to the Northern German metropolis for the summer. The city has put together a range of deals especially for families with children – attractive for Gulf travelers, among others.
Visitors can expect pedalo rides on the scenic Alsterfleet canals, feeding elephants in Hagenbeck Zoo, old-fashioned fun at the MiniaturWunderland model railway and gruesome goings-on in the Hamburg Dungeon. Hamburgs's open green spaces and bustling port provide the right blend for young and old alike.
Within an hour to 90 minutes' drive from Hamburg are two theme parks and a sensational safari adventure. In Soltau, to the south of the city, Heide-Park offers non-stop fun and entertainment for children and adults alike.
With more than 50 rides and attractions, there is everything from white-knuckle roller coasters and “wet ‘n' wild” rapids to old-time carousels and enthralling variety shows. Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen is Germany's largest safari and big game reserve. Visitors can see more than 1,000 exotic animals in the wild and experience Africa at its finest as they drive through the reserve in their own vehicles or on the Serengeti Bus, as animals gaze curiously through windows as they pass.
The zoological wonderland gives a first-hand look at giraffes, rhinos, camels and many other exotic creatures. Just outside the city of Lübeck is Hansa-Park, Germany's only seaside theme park, which boasts a host of rides, attractions and captivating shows. For those seeking thrill and adrenalin, the number one attraction is the ‘Torre del Mar', the world's tallest wave swinger gives a new perspective on Lübeck Bay. In an elevated, free-flying swing, people are flung round the central column at speeds of up to 70km/h.
This summer, the Ferris wheel and carousel are just two of the many highlights at the Sommer-DOM fair attracting visitors from the Gulf and around the world. Held in July and August, it's the largest event of its kind in northern Germany.
Another event not to miss is Cruise Days 2008 from 30 July to 3 August, where majestic ocean liners dock in the city-center harbor and celebrations continue on shore. At the end August, attention switches to the sky for the Alster Fair firework spectacular.
With a population of about 1.8 million, Hamburg is Germany's second largest city after the capital, Berlin. One of its many attractions is the Hamburg Harbor, which is visited by more than 8 million tourists annually.


Clic here to read the story from its source.