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Car Hire in Kiel
Kiel
With its natural harbour on an extension of the Baltic Sea, the city of Kiel became a flourishing centre for trade with the opening of its canal in 1895. Since then, the city has changed considerably, mainly due to extensive bombing during the Second World War, and Kiel is now a modern-looking place with broad streets, wide squares and green parks. The city's close ties with the sea are demonstrated every June, when Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) sees a week of special events, including a regatta involving over 1,500 yachts. In fact, the Olympic yachting in 1936 and 1972 took place on the waters at Schilksee. The best view of the city and the harbour is from the 107-metre tower of the Rathaus, while for a better look at the harbour itself try a stroll along the Hindenburgufer (Hindenburg Embankment), which passes along the west side of the fjord, opposite the shipyards. Day trips can be taken to Laboe for the beach and a restored submarine (U Boot 995) or the open-air Schleswig-Holsteinisches Freilichtmuseum - here you will find 16th to 19th century houses and farms rebuilt on-site, complete with craftsmen and working animals.