Think German travel and you likely think mountains, maybe Munich’s gemütlichkeit or Berlin’s trendiness. What you probably don’t think about is the country’s North Sea and Baltic Coast regions. That’s where locals go to relax, to commune with nature and one another. If you’re out to see Germany the way the folks who live there do, the region is well worth the trip.
The country’s expansive coastline is a short drive or train ride from Hamburg, or a quick trip by air from Frankfurt. You might want to start your coastal odyssey near the Polish border, on the island of Usedom. You may have never heard of it, but musicians know it well. The island’s Sommerkonzert is set for Aug. 26. Head north to the country’s largest island, Rügen. It’s ripped right out of the pages of a fairy tale: white sandy beaches framed by stark white cliffs, beautiful bays – all punctuated by picturesque villages. Rügen is perfect for biking.
Too tame? Follow the compass north, to Kiel. The student scene here is scintillating, the aura laid-back and urban, all in the same breath. Kiel is the capital of Schleswig-Holstein, and through Aug. 25 the area plays host to the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival.
After taking in the Baltic Coast, travel by train to the western coastline and the North Sea. The topography is quite a contrast. Compared to the Baltic Coast, Germany’s North Sea Coast is flat and devoid of cliffs. The hippest of this region’s islands is Sylt, summer home some of Germany’s rich and famous. During the summertime Sylt swells as visitors flock to kite-surf and prep for the Kite surfing World Cup in the nearby resort of St. Peter-Ording.
Sea, sand, surf and some surprising discoveries. If you like to travel like a local, Germany’s North Sea and Baltic Coasts are worth considering.
(Image: tillwe)
