Why everyone is talking about Hamburg
<p><em><strong>Justin Paul writes for <a href="http://blog.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Virtuoso Luxury Traveller</span></a>, the blog of a <a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">global luxury travel network</span></a>, and he enjoys nothing more than taking a holiday.</strong></em></p>
<p>Tune in to Hamburg for the visually delightful, acoustically advanced Elbphilharmonie.</p>
<p>Today the building sails into its role as one of the world’s leading concert venues with a three-week festival that includes the Vienna Philharmonic, Yo-Yo Ma, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the resident NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.</p>
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<p>Perched above a warehouse on the historic Sandtorhafen docks, the Herzog & de Meuron-designed project houses three performance halls, a hotel, and numerous bars and restaurants. Visitors enter on an arced 270-foot escalator through a glowing, sequin-lined tunnel and arrive at an outdoor public plaza with 360-degree city views.</p>
<p>Among Elbphilharmonie’s high notes: its Grand Hall, which floats within the structure on giant springs for soundproofing and features an interior “skin” of 10,000 gypsum fiber panels placed to optimize sound.</p>
<p>Steeply tiered seating surrounding its center stage ensures all attendees close proximity to the musicians.</p>
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<p>Oh, and that exposed plumbing beside your seat? Just one of the organ’s 4,765 pipes – touching is encouraged.</p>
<p>Have you ever been to Hamburg? Let us know in the comment.</p>
<p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://blog.virtuoso.com/destinations/everybodys-talking-hamburg/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Virtuoso Luxury Traveller</span></strong></a>.</em></p>
<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Click here</strong></a></span> to visit its website for more information.</em></p>
