Just outside Hamburg, in the triangle between Hamburg, Buxtehude, and Stade, lies a unique cultural landscape along the Lower Elbe: the largest contiguous fruit-growing area in Germany, and even in Northern Europe, known as the Alte Land. When apple and cherry trees bloom in late April and early May, a kilometer-long sea of white and soft pink blossoms enchants the Alte Land. However, a visit is worthwhile throughout the year, for example, when cherries are sold by the roadside or during harvest time when the apple trees bend under the weight of their crisp and juicy fruits. There are also many historical monuments to discover: stately noble estates and farmhouses, magnificent ornate gates invite visitors to linger and explore the region, along with churches and windmills.