Darss Holidays, Germany This stunning peninsula, located between sea and bay north-east of Rostock, is extremely diverse. With white-sand beaches, primeval forests and salt flats, Darss is a nature wonderland, and the resting place for thousands of migrating cranes and geese. The resort villages of Born and Wieck draw visitors with thatched houses and deserted beaches, while the five kilometre beach at nearby Prerow is considered the finest on the Baltic coast.
Greifswald Holidays, Germany Located five kilometres from the Baltic Sea, this vibrant university town has the second oldest education institution in Northern Europe, established in 1456. The historic Gothic and Baroque buildings and churches around the town square have changed little since they were portrayed in the paintings of Casper David Friedrich, on display in the Pommern Museum. Greifswald’s city walls make for an interesting walk around the old town.
Rostock Holidays, Germany Through its eight centuries, this Hanseatic city has been the commercial and trading hub of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. Rostock’s old town has an impressive harbour, historic city walls and waterfront gabled houses. There is also as an interesting art gallery, several theatres and some quality museums. The Hanse Sail boating event attracts over a million visitors for three days in summer. Twenty kilometres north is the beach resort of Warnemünde.
Rugen Holidays, Germany Germany’s largest island (976 square kilometres), Rügen has been one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations since the 19th century. With small fishing villages, endless white-sand beaches, soaring cliffs, upmarket resorts, several castles and the Jasmund National Park, Rügen is remarkably diverse. Though large, the island is best explored by bicycle and on foot, but can also be seen via the Racing Roland Steam Train.
Stralsund Holidays, Germany Almost completed surrounded by water, this historic maritime city is often seen only in passing by visitors en route to nearby Rügen. Stralsund is famous for its architecture, with a 14th century town hall and many townhouses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The German Sea Museum has large aquariums and a gigantic whale skeleton. The tower of the Church of Mary offers a wonderful view of the old town and the surrounding area.
Usedom Holidays, Germany More than a century ago, the cream of aristocracy holidayed on this narrow island. Now, the resort towns of Bansin, Heringsdorf, Ahlbeck and Zinnowitz are recapturing the charming nostalgia of that time by restoring old facades and building exclusive seaside resorts. Germany’s second largest island, Usedom has almost 40 kilometres of sandy beach and 100 kilometres of cycle tracks. Many visitors come for the Usedom Music Festival in September.
Wismar Holidays, Germany This maritime city set in the secluded Mecklenburg Bay on the Baltic coast was for centuries an important port and trading centre. The harbour and the bustling market square, the largest in Northern Germany, make for an interesting walk, while there are many attractive patrician houses with decorated facades in the old town, including the famous Alter Schwede dating from 1380. On nearby Poel Island there are miles of white sandy beaches.
