We meet at the harbour in Glückstadt, a town whose name alone conveys a positive atmosphere. After a welcome and presentation of the programme against the picturesque backdrop of the Elbe, we set off for Brunsbüttel, where we take a look at the lock chambers at the entrance to the Kiel Canal and, weather permitting, cross over by ferry. With a bit of luck, we will be able to observe one of the 100 ships that pass through the NOK every day.

This Schleswig-Holstein tour continues through Marne, the carnival capital of Schleswig-Holstein, to Friedrichskoog, where we can take a short walk on the dyke along the waterfront. With the Wadden Sea just offshore, this little corner of the world also offers other interesting places to explore on foot. Passing through extensive marshland, this tour of Schleswig-Holstein then takes us to Meldorf, where I can show you just how much land the population has reclaimed from the sea through their so-called ‘köge’ (polder dikes). Meldorf is home to the Schleswig-Holstein Agricultural Museum, where you can also experience historical hand weaving.

After a short visit to Meldorf Cathedral, we drive to Büsum, which greets us from afar with its lighthouse. This North Sea spa resort offers the ‘Sturmflutwelt Blanker Hans’ storm surge exhibition, a museum harbour and a ferry crossing to Heligoland. The picturesque harbour promenade boasts many seaworthy fishing boats and other historic vessels. Depending on the schedule of the Schleswig-Holstein tour, lunch can be taken here.

The journey continues to Heide, where Germany’s largest market square awaits us. With St. Jürgen Church in the south-west, Heide is also worth a stop. Lunch can also be enjoyed here. We then continue through marshland and peat bogs to the Albersdorf Stone Age Park, where we can go for a short walk and, if desired, visit the Dithmarschen Museum of Archaeology and Ecology.

On the way to Barmstedt, we make a short detour through the otherwise insignificant village of Wacken, which once a year becomes a pilgrimage site for German and foreign festival fans during the ‘Wacken Open Air’ festival. Itzehoe can also be included in the itinerary if the day is planned accordingly. Once in Barmstedt, we will explore the castle island with its castle and enjoy coffee and cake, which we will work off on a walk around Lake Rantzau.

The final stretch of our Schleswig-Holstein tour takes us to Elmshorn, where we will fill in any open questions and hopefully find conclusive answers, such as: ‘When will you take your next tour with me?’ At the St. Nikolaikirche in Elmshorn, I will then say goodbye and hope you had a fun and informative day with me! This Schleswig-Holstein tour can of course be extended, shortened or modified in any way you wish.