Why travel to distant lands when there is so much to see close by? The answer lies in this short cruise with the HANSEATIC spirit. With the taste of salt in the air and natural treasures at your feet, explore the fresh character of Frisian islands amidst craggy cliffs and sandy beaches. Treat yourself to a break at sea, recharge your batteries and experience the unique atmosphere of the small, state-of-the-art expedition ship. Relaxed and outside of peak season, special highlights await you. On board, you will enjoy the highest standards in terms of service and facilities – pampering body, mind and soul. The innovative design concept, “inspired by nature”, ensures feel-good moments in all cabins and suites. You will already appreciate the many open deck areas and the deck tour at the bow from Hamburg on your evening cruise on the Elbe, when small houses on the shore shine like a pretty chain of lights and impressively illuminate the scenery. Creative cuisine, an expansive spa, captivating expert presentations – every day, you have the freedom to choose anew. Or find your new favourite drink, served at the bar in the HanseAtrium, where you can round off the first evening with a small circle of like-minded people. Are you currently dreaming of places that promise idyllic scenery, picturesque nature and an easy-going lifestyle? You will be surprised how close you already are to them. Because there are regions practically on your doorstep that will unfold into exciting new territory for you to explore. Get to know the Frisian Islands with their fine sandy beaches, nature reserves surrounded by mudflats and wild, romantic dunes. On board the small HANSEATIC spirit, you will experience the island chain along the North Sea coast in an inspiring new way.

You’ve certainly never celebrated German Unity Day like this before – and probably not in the Netherlands either. Texel welcomes you with its bountiful unspoilt scenery. The island is famous for the sheep of the same name and its typical farmhouses. The creative power of nature on the largest West Frisian island is in no way inferior to the buildings built by man. Feel the wind in your hair as you explore De Slufter nature reserve*, a vast area with tidal creeks and salt flats amidst a chain of dunes. Take an island tour* and discover the dreamy, idyllic town of De Koog with its lovely centre and small beach cafes. Or you can head out with a shrimper on the Wadden Sea* to haul in fresh catches. The sandy, muddy coast is ideal for “Garnalenvissen”, as fishing for crustaceans is called in the Netherlands.

Red the rocks and rich the birdlife: Helgoland, Germany’s only deep-sea island, is a hotspot for birdwatching, especially in October. The experts on board will sharpen your eye for the great variety, which you can ideally observe from your front-row seat on deck. Up to 430 species have been recorded here – unique in the whole of central Europe. A popular breeding place and, at the same time, one of the most impressive natural landmarks in northern Germany is Lange Anna. The stack of rock rises 47 m (154 ft) into the air off the island’s coast. If the weather permits, the Zodiacs will be put to use. A pure expedition feeling and unimagined perspectives await you in the robust motorised rubber boats. This is how the pirates must once have felt, for whom the island is said to have served as a smugglers’ paradise. A very famous pirate, Klaus Störtebeker, was captured off Helgoland in 1401. The grey seal shares the dunes with common seals. Reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mph), they hunt for sardines and cod in the water. You, meanwhile, will hunt for spectacular panoramas on a 2.8 km (1.74 mi.) walk along the edge of the cliffs. A fish roll tastes especially good in the fresh North Sea air.

Say goodbye to the North Sea and continue your journey back to Hamburg, the metropolis on the Elbe. It’s hard to believe how many stories of the north you will take with you from this short cruise. Yet Hamburg, the so-called “gateway to the world”, still has plenty for you to discover. Whether it’s the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, numerous museums or the fish market – enrich your experiences with exciting impressions between the Elbe and Alster in the home port of the HANSEATIC spirit. Your travel concierge will help you make a plan in advance. Completely according to your wishes, just like your entire cruise.