The 2024 film version of Nosferatu has placed the Northern German municipality of Wismar, population 44,000, on the radar. The former Hanseatic League city with a Gothic Quarter, narrow cobblestone streets, towering cathedrals and shaded sky feels like a place where a vampire would reside.
Wismar is located on the Baltic Coast, a two and half hour drive from Berlin.
The Baroque City of Dresden should be on everyone’s itineraries. The Saxony Capital offers splendid historical architecture.
The New Residence is an example of splendour in the Franconia city of Bamberg. Sitting on a hill overlooking the region, the 40 state rooms housed in the Rococo designed palace are rich visual gems.
Once, the German Train system was world known for reliability, pensility and good service. Those were the days. Now, taking a train the Europe’s biggest rail network is as sure as winning a million-dollar lottery. At times Deutsche Bahn (DB) feels as if it is held together by five cent bubble gum.
Recently, a major newspaper published a story on DB and all the troubles. Schedules are more estimates. The train comes, the train may not come. If you arrive, you arrive. If you don’t arrive, you don’t arrive. Perhaps, this is why the Swiss Rail System suspended the always late German Trains from its tracks.
Every German has a horror story. Just mention the company, then wait for the tale. One friend on her way to Hamburg suddenly got stuck in a small town with a derelict station building. The staff said, “End of the line.” The riders had to find their own way. This happens in Modern Germany, not in a called a “developing country”.
The past summer, I bought a train ticket to the north coast, while at the station, an announcement, “The train has been cancelled due to a faulty signal”. For many this was normal, standard procedure, however the rest of us not prepared for DB Chaos, we were lost. In the woods, no one to ask on the platform, just a blue screen with white letters. A fellow passenger, not a DBahn worker cause they are never around during moments of chaos, told me to go upstairs to the customer service.
The line, typical, go to a person, tell them the problem, then get a number. To my surprise, the wait was short. The DB customer service person did not need an explanation. Certainly, she knew the story. After explaining I could take another overcrowded train an hour later, then transfer to another train or fill out a form or wait until the next day. The last option seemed better. Cause of construction, I ploddingly made it to my destination one day and fifteen minutes late.
A competitor could help DB clean-up its act. For the moment FLixTrain has a few normal speed routes.
How long can Deutsche Bahn continue operating the way it does is a guess. I realise when I take a German train, pray, snacks and luck are needed.
Beaches have their own special properties, unique characteristics. Visiting
St. Peter Ording on the North Sea Coast Germany, a visitor would be hard
pressed to miss what makes this wide coastal landscape distinctive, the feeling
of landing on another planet. In a few moments the weather changes from bright
sun to grey overcast.The sounds of water coming in, the wind pitch in the ear,
Frank Hubert could have been inspired to write a wet version of his sci-fi
classic Dune after visiting Ording. There is an almost unnatural feeling on this part of the world.
In late August, I saw few sun bathers, rather beach trollers taking
advantage of the low tide, reflecting on nature allows us mere mortals to use for a moment.
A beach where visitors are required to walk without shoes. This is the tradition in the North Sea resort town of Büsum. As the tide leaves a moon surface textured seafloor pattern emerges. Once known as a small fishing village, Büsum is an ideal location for exploring Coastal Germany or for just a relaxing break. The seaside destination of 6,000 offers a Down to Earth charm worth absorbing.
Büsum is 415 miles from Berlin in Schleswig-Holstein.
Of course not, in August a beach in Usedom does not resemble this picture of tranquillity. The popular Northern German resort becomes a summer getaway for many visitors seeking sun and water. However, I tend to like the Baltic Coast during the less traveled times.
Usedom is a two-hour and thirty minute drive from Berlin.
Need a place to visit over the holidays. If you happen to be in Munich or the Bavaria Region I recommend trying wine country for a relaxing Staycation. There are many charming villages and areas around the Main River.
The Beach Island, Usedom, Germany. I made my annual migration to the Baltic Resort seashore.
Stay Tuned for the full story.
