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Travel Tips Europe |
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This week let us explore the unknown and less famous north eastern part of Germany. The area know in Germany as Mecklenburg Vorpommern has its own hidden treasures. The magic of this country lies in its nature, almost untouched due to 50 years of Socialism in the former GDR. Here you will find nature at its best just like it has been 150 years before. In spring you can watch the storks building their nests high on the church-towers and adders playing in the lakes.
Our journey starts in Lübeck. Another old Hanse-town near the Baltic Sea. The old town lies on the banks of the river Trave. Beside the famous landmark of the medieaval town-gate ("Holstentor") there are many ancient buildings now restorated to their former glory. Never leave Lübeck without tasting the famous Lübeck marzipan!!
Why not take a ride on one of the open touring-boats on the river. From here you can best admire the old architekture. In the evening you should test, what the northern cousine is best known for: fish specialities. The "Schifferbörse" is the restaurant with the best and most romantic atmosphere in town. Dine on long wodden benches, taste home-made beer and liqueurs. Under chandeliers and panneled ceilings you will feel like on a journey back in time.
Now we are ready for a tour through the country. Allow a leasurly pace and enjoy nature at its best. My favourite tour goes south through the small towns of Ratzeburg (with its famous barock cathedral) and Schwerin (lovely castle and church). The countryside is marked by the hundreds of clear lakes, inviting you to take a refreshing bath or just relax on the shores while listening to the music of the waves. Watch kingfishers and herons fishing or stroll through one of the many quaint villages on your route.
My favourite place in Mecklenburg is Ludwigslust palace (in the town of the same name), which translated means Ludwig's (a prussian emperor) delight. And that indeed it is still. It is surrounded by one of the most charming landcaped gardens in the old English style of Capabillity Brown. Take a walk in the park or have a picnic with the view on the palace. If you ever happen to be there you will know why so many prussian emperors choose this place as a hunting lodge and love nest.
The castle itself can be visited, too. Though most of the furniture has still not returned from different museums the wonderful plaster ceilings and paintings are in itself worth a visit. Ludwigslust has luckily survived the time of Socialism in Eastern Germany, during which many ancient places have been used as storage places for corn or as cattle barns. Ongoing restoration will ensure the return to its former glory.
Coming up next week: Vienna, town of the Habsburg-Dynasty and the empress Sissi.