Baltic coast
On the Baltic Sea coast, where there are no tides like on the North Sea, the islands of Hiddensee, Rügen and Usedom are magnets for visitors. The almost untouched landscape on Hiddensee is diverse and the abundance of birds not only attracts ornithologists. Rügen is the largest German island. It is a popular holiday destination with long sandy beaches and the Jasmund National Park, where the famous chalk cliffs are located. The white cliffs that fall abruptly into the sea inspired the painter Caspar David Friedrich, for example. At the beginning of 2005, the Wissower Klinken chalk cliff collapsed. Usedom, the second largest island in Germany, attracts visitors with its charming nature with miles of sandy beaches, beautiful forests, moors and pastures. In addition to the popular holiday islands, the Baltic Sea also includes the Bay of Kiel, the Mecklenburg Bay with the Lübeck Bay and the Pomeranian Bay. The Bay of Mecklenburg stretches from the island of Fehmarn in the west to the Fischland-Darss-Zingst peninsula in the east. The holiday destinations of Grömitz, Neustadt in Holstein, Timmendorfer Strand, Niendorf and Lübeck-Travemünde are located in the Bay of Lübeck, part of the Bay of Mecklenburg. In the Mecklenburg Bay in the state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, the Baltic Sea resorts of Boltenhagen, Kühlungsborn, Heiligendamm, Warnemünde and Graal-Müritz are popular holiday destinations.
Mecklenburg Switzerland
According to topschoolsintheusa, a popular holiday region is Mecklenburg Switzerland in the northern part of the Mecklenburg Lake District in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. In the nature park between the towns of Dargun, Demmin, Teterow, Malchin and Waren there are centuries-old oak trees, historical castles and parks as well as otters and beavers living in the wild. With its nature parks and beautiful water routes, the Mecklenburg Lake District offers ideal conditions for water sports enthusiasts. Even beginners can practice motor boating here, a special boat license is not required.
Weser Uplands
The Weserbergland stretches between Hamelin and Hannoversch Münden, a varied low mountain range landscape through which the Weser runs its course. The Pied Piper town of Hameln is located in the Weser Valley. In the summer, the famous fairy tale is performed here every Sunday afternoon. There are several important buildings in the Weser Renaissance style in the city. The charm of the three-river city of Hann. Münden comes from its half-timbered houses and the idyllic location at the confluence of the Werra and Fulda, which flows on as the Weser.
North sea coast
The North Sea coast in Germany stretches from Borkum to Sylt. The best known are the regions and towns of North Friesland with Husum and Friedrichstadt and the Husum Bay, the North Sea peninsula of Eiderstedt with St. Peter-Ording, Garding and Tönning, and Dithmarschen with Büsum and Friedrichskoog. The North Frisian and East Frisian Islands are located off the North Sea coast. Between these archipelagos lies the German Bight. The North Frisian islands of Sylt, Föhr, Amrum, Pellworm, Nordstrand and the Halligen have a reputation as popular holiday destinations and are known for their diverse bird life. The East Frisian Islands include Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge. An important North Sea holiday island is Heligoland. The island is made of red sandstone and rises 61 m high out of the sea with its cliffs. Among other things, the German part of the Wadden Sea was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009.
Bremen
Germany’s oldest port city, Bremen, has over 500,000 inhabitants. Bremen is also a city-state and has been a trading city since 965. The oldest buildings, such as the Gothic brick town hall, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located around the market square. The Roland, the symbol of the city, documents the long and proud history of Bremen. In the pedestrian zone there is a sculpture of the Bremen Town Musicians, known from the fairy tale of the same name by the Brothers Grimm. The St. Petri Cathedral rises on the market square and houses a museum for Bremen’s church history. A stroll through the Schnoorviertel, an old residential and artists’ quarter with beautiful town houses and cozy pubs, is particularly attractive. The mill on the wall is the only surviving mill of eight that were built in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Saarlouis
The garrison town of Saarlouis was founded by the Sun King Louis XIV with historical fortifications by the famous master builder Vauban. There are numerous buildings from the French and Prussian periods (17th-19th centuries) in the city. In the lovingly restored casemates there are so many restaurants and pubs that they are also called the “longest bar in Saarland”.
Hamburg
With more than 1.7 million inhabitants, the city of Hamburg is the second largest city in the Federal Republic after Berlin. The baroque Michaeliskirche (the »Michel«), the town hall with the green copper roof, the elegant Hanseviertel, the harbour, the Alster Arcades and the Alster (the largest lake within a city in Europe) are among the city’s most popular sights. The Hamburger Kunsthalle, the Altonaer Museum and the Deichtorhallen (modern art) are just a few of the most interesting museums. The Hamburg State Opera and the Deutsches Schauspielhaus live up to Hamburg’s reputation as a cultural center. The »Dom« fair takes place several times a year near the television tower at the Feldstrasse underground station. The Reeperbahn in the bar and entertainment district of St. Pauli in the Altona district is notorious. After a hard Saturday night, the fish market beckons early in the morning. A harbor tour through the huge port area is a must. The shopping streets of downtown Hamburg are concentrated in the area between the main train station and Gänsemarkt on Jungfernstieg and Mönckebergstrasse, with pedestrian zones, department stores, elegant shopping arcades and street cafes. The Hamburg Cruise Center is located in Hafen City.
