A walk through the quaint staircase quarter [Treppenviertel] of Blankenese, Hamburg‘s picturesque district right on the banks of the Elbe, is particularly interesting. Climb up and down the many steps and you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Elbe and the Altes Land. Your lunch will be served on board one of the cosy harbour-tour boats that will take you back to Landungsbrücken.

Summer residences, staircase quarter, beach dwellers – the slightly challenging walk will lead you through Blankenese with its mix of elegant houses, carefully tended parks and fisherman’s huts while listening to stories about the ferry station, and the oxen path [Ochsenweg].

Blankenese is situated in the west of the city district of Altona on the banks of the Elbe. It is part of Hamburg’s so-called Elbe suburbs [Elbvororte]. The unusual name can probably be traced back to a sandbank glistening in the sun – the “blanken nes” (shiny nose) – in front of the historical village, which was washed away by a storm surge in the 17th century. Blankenese became a part of the community, and thus a part of Hamburg, in 1938 only. Today it is home to some 12,000 people.

After an approximately two-hour-long walk, a launch boat will take you to Hamburg Landungsbrücken. On board you will learn interesting facts about the Port of Hamburg and enjoy a beautiful view of Hamburg and its port while having lunch.

• See the shuttle bus departure times in the conference brochure and in the conference hotels.