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Germany will not be the primary nation that involves thoughts whenever you consider a seaside vacation vacation spot, however that’s precisely what I found throughout my latest go to to Ruegen Island. Positioned within the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Ruegen Island is Germany‘s largest island and it attracts holidayers for lots extra than simply its seashores. Throughout my go to, I obtained to hike alongside chalky cliffs, watch reside outside theatre, trip in some distinctive modes of transportation, and drive the island’s “tree tunnels” – stunning stretches of street coated in a thick foliage of timber. Right here’s somewhat recap of what that appeared like:
Climbing the white chalk cliffs of Jasmund Nationwide Park
On the subject of pure wonders, Ruegen Island doesn’t disappoint. Positioned on the northeastern tip of the island, you’ll discover Jasmund Nationwide Park, a spot the place the white chalk shoreline tries to play tips along with your eyes. Can it’s? Is it actual?
In case you’ve ever visited the Cliffs of Dover in England, or Møns Klint in Denmark, you then’ll know precisely what I’m speaking about. These white chalk cliffs stand up alongside the shoreline and make for one of the crucial stunning sights you’ll ever witness. Because it seems, England and Denmark aren’t the one locations the place you possibly can see this marvel – Germany’s Ruegen Island has simply as spectacular a shoreline.
The 2 primary lookout factors in Jasmund Nationwide Park are Koenigsstuhl, which interprets to King’s Chair, and Victoria-Sicht, which implies Victoria’s View. The stroll to Victoria’s View makes for a pleasant stroll via the forest, after which there’s additionally a turnoff the place you possibly can stroll right down to the pebbly seaside under so you possibly can benefit from the cliffs from a special vantage level.
Watching a medieval play on the Stoertebeker Festspiele
In case you ever go to Ruegen Island within the summertime, you gained’t have the ability to drive quite a lot of hundred meters with out seeing posters of a good-looking younger man, wearing medieval garments, with blond locks flowing right down to his shoulders. These posters promote the Stoertebeker Festspiele, which is an open air theatre that takes locations on a large outside stage proper by the water.
The play is ready within the medieval interval and it consists of one thing for all ages – love, betrayal, sword fights, and even a couple of explosions. The story and the characters change each summer season, and that’s one of many causes individuals hold coming again for extra. And that’s the opposite factor, individuals flock to this occasion by the hundreds! I used to be shocked after I noticed the variety of seats (over 8000!) accessible and I puzzled in the event that they’d have the ability to fill them contemplating the scale of the cities and villages on the island, nonetheless, the Stoertebeker Festspiele is such a well known occasion that guests make the drive not simply from across the island, but in addition from the encircling mainland.
The play was in German so we didn’t fairly comply with the entire storyline, however the sword fights and the pub brawl stored us entertained.
Additionally, as a tip, in case you ever end up in Ruegen and plan to attend this competition, carry a blanket and hoodie to maintain heat. The summer season nights can get fairly chilly and I stored wishing I’d worn one thing hotter the entire efficiency.
Using in a Trabi from the previous GDR
Having minored in German Research after I was in college, I spent a number of weeks finding out Ostalgie, a unit that coated the nostalgia for East Germany that developed years after the wall got here down.
To provide you a fast background on the subject (I’m a trainer in any case!), after WW2, Germany was divided into 4 occupation zones, and finally into West Germany and East Germany. Two very distinct cultures developed on account of this division. East Germany was influenced by the Soviets, whereas West Germany was utterly open and influenced by the remainder of the Western world.
One of many distinctive elements of East German tradition was the vehicles they drove, or I ought to say ‘automobile’ as a result of nearly everybody had a Trabant. This was a automobile that you just needed to wait about 15 years to obtain and it was additionally recognized to be one of many least dependable vehicles on the market. They have been always breaking down and other people have been at all times having to seek out inventive methods to restore them.
As soon as the wall got here down and East Germany and West Germany have been as soon as once more reunified, most East Germans sought to improve their autos. The Trabant was thought-about a factor of the previous, that’s till Ostalgie kicked in. It wasn’t too lengthy earlier than some East Germans began eager for the issues of the previous, objects that have been solely accessible within the former German Democratic Republic, which was now rapidly changing into increasingly Westernized. The Trabant, affectionately often known as the Trabi, out of the blue noticed a resurgence in reputation. It grew to become a automobile that folks wished to drive and you may nonetheless see in on the streets in the present day 25 years after reunification.
And that’s why I used to be so excited to get to trip in a vivid orange Trabi whereas I used to be in Ruegen Island! This previous Trabi had been transformed into an eTrabi with an electrical engine, and although I wasn’t the driving force, it was nonetheless plenty of enjoyable using in a single merely due to all of the historical past behind the automobile.
Travelling aboard the Rasender Roland
I do know I’m sounding like a complete transportation fanatic right here, however indulge me somewhat, will you? Now I’m going to inform you a couple of actually cool prepare as a result of in case you ever end up in Ruegen Island you gained’t wish to miss using the Rasender Roland. That is an quaint steam engine prepare that runs between Putbus and Goehren.
For a lot of locals this was as soon as a commuter prepare to journey between the cities alongside the southern a part of the island, today, nonetheless, the route has gained plenty of reputation with vacationing vacationers who wish to trip alongside this scenic route. The tracks run previous farms and wooded areas, and it’s a gradual and straightforward trip for all ages.
An alternate in case you want one thing a bit extra energetic is to hike the trail via the woods that runs alongside the prepare tracks. That method you continue to get to take pleasure in nature and see the steam engine prepare in motion.
A neighborhood was later telling me that typically there are particular music occasions placed on the place you trip the prepare to the forest, individuals carry their picnic baskets, after which whenever you arrive, musicians are already taking part in reside music. Might there by something extra idyllic than that?
The seashores in Goehren
Ruegen Island wouldn’t be thought-about a summer season vacation spot if it didn’t have seashores, and the seaside city of Goehren affords exactly that. I solely had half a day within the city, so I can’t provide the full scoop on all of the sights, however I can inform you that it has a pleasant seaside promenade with some pretty stretches of sand. (The place jogged my memory of a few of the Baltic seaside cities that I visited in Finland final summer season!)
One of many issues I discovered most fascinating in regards to the seashores was seeing the Strandkorben (double seaside chairs that supply somewhat cowl from the wind). Previous to visiting the northern elements of Germany, my mother who used to reside in Hamburg, had instructed me about windy summers by the Baltic Sea – summers that concerned sitting in a Strandkorb, bringing a e-book right down to the seaside, and maybe even draping a blanket over your legs when you stared out on the sea.
Effectively, I occurred to be visiting throughout an uncommon warmth wave so blankets weren’t obligatory, nevertheless it was nonetheless cool seeing the Strandkorben all lined up on the sand.
The place to remain in Ruegen Island
Whereas in Ruegen Island I stayed at , which affords actually distinctive lodging within the type of flats constructed on stilts over the water. It was fairly cool falling asleep with the moonlight streaming in via the home windows, and concurrently listening to the sound of the water lapping in opposition to the pier and the sailboats within the harbour.
Have you ever visited the Baltic Sea within the summertime?
Any favorite locations to share?
This journey was deliberate in partnership with the German Nationwide Tourism Board as a part of their #JoinGermanTradition marketing campaign which seeks to spotlight distinctive customs and traditions throughout Germany.
