By Gondola Through the Canals of Hamburg

With over 2,500 bridges and canals, Hamburg is also known as the ‘Venice of the North’. However, there are more things in common with the northern Italian city than just this. An original Venetian gondola has been sailing along Hamburg’s canals since 1999, giving the Hanseatic waters some Adriatic flair.

The gondola measures more than ten metres in length and was built in the Roberto Dei Rossi boatyard on the island of Giudecca in Venice. It was christened ‘Ursula’ there with a celebratory bottle of Prosecco. The black and blue boat is adorned with brass horses and carvings, while the seat is covered in plush red fabric. A trip through the Speicherstadt district is also very popular, particularly at night-time.