When Germany hosted the 2006 Wold Cup my brother and I decided to try and get tickets for a game; any game we could get tickets for, but one including England was preferable. In the end after endless searching through the online ticketing system we managed to pick up a random match – Ukraine vs Saudi Arabia in Hamburg. We decided to base our trip upon this game and so planned a stay in a city we both knew very little about.

Hamburg was very impressive. As Germany’s second largest city (after Berlin) with approx. 1.8 million people there is plenty to do and see. Yet we always found it easy to get around. We stayed near the quarter St Pauli, and found cheap accommodation, as it is by Europe’s largest red light district and home of strip clubs, brothels, bars and nightclubs. We spent a few nights out on the Reeperbahn and in the Fan Fest (designated area provided for football fans) having a few drinks with fans from around the world. We made so many friends and the Germans were very hospitable and friendly.

The port of Hamburg was certainly worth visiting and there are many cafes and restaurants there. We learnt a lot in our stay there about the history of the city and bombings during Second World War which meant large parts of the city had to be rebuilt. It is certainly worth visiting and the Germans lived up to their reputation for organisation and efficiency – we had never been to such a welcoming place.

If you’re looking into a cheap getaway or a city break weekend in Berlin for next year you will be able to experience the planned events in commemoration of the fall of the Berlin Wall which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary.

It was 9th November 1989 when the Berlin Wall finally tumbled to the ground ending years of divide in the city.  On the 9th November 2009 the build up to the 20th anniversary will culminate in a street part celebration and organized concerts across the city.

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