Convention countdown

The Germany you don’t know

When people think about traveling to Germany, certain images may spring to mind: Oktoberfest in Munich, dramatic Alpine landscapes, the Romantic Road with its medieval towns. But as those who attend the 2019 Rotary International Convention in Hamburg from 1 to 5 June will discover, there’s another side to Germany that is equally captivating. 

When people think about traveling to Germany, certain images may spring to mind: Oktoberfest in Munich, dramatic Alpine landscapes, the Romantic Road with its medieval towns. But as those who attend the 2019 Rotary International Convention in Hamburg from 1 to 5 June will discover, there’s another side to Germany that is equally captivating. 

Home to Europe’s second-largest port, Hamburg is known for its cosmopolitan outlook. The city offers enough canals and bridges to rival Amsterdam; two inviting lakes in the heart of the city; and easy access to nearby North Sea and Baltic beaches that stretch for miles. 

You’re not likely to run into any lederhosen-clad polka dancers in Hamburg, but you can visit a world-class concert hall; you might not find Wiener schnitzel on the menu, but the seafood is fresh and abundant; and any thoughts of castles on the Rhine will be forgotten when you catch sight of the huge ships plying the Elbe. 

Of course, some stereotypes of Germany do hold true, even in Hamburg: The public transportation system, for instance, is efficient, clean, and easy to navigate. Convention goers will find it even easier to use, thanks to an all-access transit pass that will be included with registration.

Register for the 2019 Rotary Convention in Hamburg at riconvention.org.