Have you ever seen the characteristic image of proud harbor cranes rising along numberless jetties on the banks of a wide majestic river, that seems to open its arms to embrace the sea? It's the Port of Hamburg, the biggest port in Germany, also tenderly called "Gateway to the World". The date of its foundation - 7 May 1189 - represents the biggest annual anniversary for the city.

Still more than 100 km far away from the North Sea, the port is located in a strategic position, in which two rivers, the Alster and the Bille, join the Elbe - one of the most important German trade routes that crosses the whole country. A fine network of big and small channels, so called "Fleeten", traverses the city donating such quarters as the historic Warehouse district and the modern HafenCity, with the world famous Elbe Philharmonic, an incomparable charm.