Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany and the eighth-largest city in the European Union. Hamburg is a showpiece of modern architecture, in which historic buildings stand alongside towering steel-and-glass skyscrapers. Much of the city’s attractions are located quite far apart, so visitors are forewarned that taxis and the various means of public transport will be needed to cover more than the sites of interest that are clustered in the centre. Hamburg is a major transportation hub in Northern Germany and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. It has become a media and industrial centre, with plants and facilities belonging to Airbus, Blohm + Voss and Aurubis.

Dresden, Germany

On the 13th February 1945, 773 Avro Lancasters bombed Dresden. During the next two days the USAAF sent over 527 heavy bombers to follow up the RAF attack. Dresden was nearly totally destroyed. As a result of the firestorm it was afterwards impossible to count the number of victims. Recent research suggest that 35,000 were killed but some German sources have argued that it was over 100,000. Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II. It has been reconstructed as a landmark symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies. The reconstruction of its exterior was completed in 2004, its interior in 2005 and, after 13 years of rebuilding, the church was reconsecrated on 30 October 2005 with festive services lasting through the Protestant observance of Reformation Day on 31 October.