On a tour through the Altes Land you will experience the beauty of Europe’s largest continuous fruit-growing region. In May, when millions of fruit trees are in blossom, the area becomes a popular day-trip destination. Another favourite among tourists is the almost one-thousand-year-old town of Buxtehude which you will also visit on this tour.

The tour through Buxtehude starts in the historical part of the town. You will walk along the old cobblestone street past the St. Petri church - the town’s landmark -, the old town hall and the many century-old half-timbered houses. 

After the tour you will experience the beauty of the Altes Land, Europe’s largest continuous fruit-growing region. The fertile marshland that used to be flooded time and again was settled by the Dutch in the 12th century, who gradually made the land arable. Today the Altes Land, an approximately 10,000 ha [8,750 acres] large area, is mainly used to grow apples. Every year a total of 250,000 tonnes of apple, pear, cherry and plum varieties are harvested. 

The day will come to a relaxing close with a cup of coffee and home-made butter cake and apple cake at the orchard.

 

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