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Posts tagged baltic
Hotels On The Baltic Sea Are A Cut Above The Rest
May 27th
Visitors can choose from a wide range of top-class, award-winning hotels along the Baltic coast in Schleswig-Holstein. Between Glacksburg in the north and Labeck in the south there are many 4-star establishments where you can enjoy a really luxurious holiday. Every one of these first-class hotels has its own special character and unique, individual charm. From wellness for body, mind and spirit to exquisite and varied cuisine they satisfy their guestsa every wish.
In 2001, Hotel Seeschlasschen (Sea Castle) in Timmendorfer Strand was the first establishment on the Baltic coast to receive a 5-star rating, the highest classification possible for hotels in Germany. The hotel has been owned and operated by the von Oven family for over 90 years. It was originally established in 1908 as the Restaurant and Cafa Seeterrasse (Sea Terrace). Since then it has been turned into a first-class luxury establishment with 84 double rooms, 30 single rooms and 16 suites.
For the last 30 years Rohlf and Brigitte von Oven have been attending to the running of the hotel and the comfort of their guests personally every day.
In May 2003 a second 5-star hotel was opened on the Baltic coast the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Casino Travemande, which now has a well-earned reputation as one of the top luxury establishments in northern Germany. The 74 rooms and suites of the Four Seasons, the building of which is protected as a national monument, are lovingly decorated and furnished with painstaking attention to detail.
The spacious layout and high ceilings typical of this lovely old architecture underline and enhance the establishmentas aura of historical culture. Guests are also entranced by glorious panorama of the Bay of Labeck, which can be seen from the majority of the hotel rooms and especially from the first class gourmet restaurant probably one of the most beautiful spots on the Baltic Sea.
The historic Travemande Casino is next door to and directly connected to the hotel, providing a perfect complement to the unique hotel concept.
Despite all their elegance and luxury these two 5-star hotels and the 4-star establishments on the Baltic Sea coast have all also retained a pleasant character that is typical of northern Germany: Everything here is genuine and authentic, the friendliness of the people is direct and comes from the heart.
Family atmosphere and first-class luxury are a successful combination that is very much appreciated by the guests.
Dive in and enjoy yourself! The Baltic Sea Thermae (Ostsee-Therme) offers pure aquatic fun and pleasure, right on the beach. Enjoy the many facilities in the wonderful water world, including the super giant water slide! The 3,000m2 sauna department on two floors offers an amazing choice of eleven different saunas, and there is now also direct access to the beach! Or you can relax in the jacuzzis on the roof terrace with a magnificent view of the Baltic Sea.
Refreshing, exciting and fun that’s the Gramitzer Welle. At this beautiful adventure pool centre with a wave machine you can relax and swim in warm seawater all year round, play in the breakers or just let the waves carry you. There are also plenty of fun facilities for the kids, including a paddling pool, a water slide and a play area.
Shopping On The Baltic Coast For Designer Gear
May 25th
It’s Saturday, market day in Eckernarde. The heady scent of flowers mingles with the aroma of smoked fish and ham, tasty country cheeses and fresh fruit a festival for the senses in a town that already has so much to offer. Shopping in charming Eckernfarde is always a delightful experience. Of course there are boutiques and fashion shops, but that’s not all. Between them you’ll also find a large selection of unusual little speciality shops with friendly and helpful proprietors.
People here still have time for their customers, for a chat and a friendly word. And there’s so much to see that it really is a good idea to take your time so that you can enjoy it all.
Eckernfarde’s pleasant shopping district has a unique character all its own, and it’s just a short walk from the beach and the harbour. Keep your eyes open when you’re strolling through the pedestrians only shopping streets, otherwise you might miss the unobtrusive, old-fashioned signs identifying privately-run little shops where you can browse happily for hours.
You’ll find beautiful items for your home, arts and crafts, gold jewellery, antiques, maritime souvenirs and much more. If your feet get tired you can always stop for a rest at one of the pretty pavement cafes or little restaurants serving tasty local cuisine. The towns on Schleswig-Holstein’s Baltic coast are often underestimated as a place to go shopping. In fact you can find everything here, from top international shops to antiques and rare collector’s items.
And when we say top international shops we mean it. For example, in Timmendorfer Strand you can find all the same names you would expect to see on the Kanigsallee in Dusseldorf or the Kurfarstendamm in Berlin, all in the space of a couple of hundred metres, including Prada, Gucci, Chanel and Dolce & Gabana. Top brands are definitely en vogue here there are even big-name stores for fashion-conscious kids. And all combined with the unique character that makes this Baltic seaside resort so special, and not just in the summer.
Apropos special: In recent years the beautiful beach promenades in many of the towns on the Baltic coast have undergone a transformation. In addition to their original charm they are now also attractive shopping precincts. For example in Gramitz, you now have the endless beach on your right and shops, restaurants, pubs and more on your left.
Here, and in Kellenhusen, Dahme and other towns along the coast, you can enjoy a truly unique shopping experience not to be had in the big city. No wish remains unsatisfied no matter whether you prefer to stroll through picturesque little towns like Eckernfarde, Schleswig or Eutin, town of roses, absorb the maritime charm of Heiligenhafen and Neustadt, or stay on the beach and do your shopping between sunbathing and swimming. If you keep your eyes open on your travels in the region you’ll also find that there is plenty more to discover in addition to the shops.
For example art galleries, arts and crafts markets and farm shops particularly in the smaller towns and rural communities you can often come across many hidden gems. The regular farmers markets, which are now also staged in the towns, are another big attraction.
Now, in addition to the famous cakes and pies you can also buy a thousand and one beautiful and useful things and enjoy a really entertaining shopping experience.
Travelling To The Baltic Coast
May 23rd
The attractive Baltic towns of Kiel, Puttgarden and Travem Ande are among the leading ports for international ferry services between Schleswig-Holstein and Scandinavia. There are now daily car ferries to and from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, which carry passengers and cargo across the Baltic Sea in just a few hours. Excellent service, entertainment and a pleasant atmosphere are assured on all the ships.
The German-Danish shipping company Scandlines AG has the most extensive network of services in Baltic Sea region. The best-known ferry line operated by Scandlines is probably the Vogelfluglinie (Birs Flight Line) between Radby in Denmark and Puttgarden on the island of Fehmarn. Four modern double-ended Scandlines car ferries carry over 6.5 million passengers across the Fehmarn Belt every year; the services run round the clock at 30-minute intervals, taking only 45 minutes for the journey.
There are two attractive services between Sweden and the Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein: The Stena Line connects Guteborg with Kiel and the TT Line runs between Trelleborg and Travem Ande.
The Finnlines passenger and cargo ferries run daily services between Travemnde and Helsinki, with a choice of extra-luxurious vessels. The journey takes around 36 hours, with exceptionally high standards of comfort for the passengers. The excellent food and some non-alcoholic drinks are included in the fare.
Germany is served by over a hundred international airlines. For travellers to the Baltic coast region the nearest international airport is in Hamburg.
Deutsche Bahn AG (German Rail) operates a modern, nationwide rail network with fast and efficient services to all major cities.
There is a good network of roads throughout the entire Baltic coastal region of Schleswig-Holstein, including some wonderfully beautiful and idyllic country and coastal roads. If you want to travel quickly you can drive on the A1 autobahn between Labeck and Oldenburg in Holstein, or the A7 between Hamburg and Flensburg. There are no general speed limits on German autobahns unless otherwise indicated by signs, but a general maximum speed of 130 km/h is recommended. Off the autobahns there are speed limits of 100 km/h outside built-up areas and 50 km/h within built-up areas, unless otherwise indicated by speed limit signs.
Put simply if you never try it you will never no, the world is a lot bigger than most of us would believe so why not take a trip into the unknown, you may end up going back. Have fun we go now go three times a year and cannot recommend it highly enough, whether it is for a romantic break or a traditional holiday with your young family or elderly relatives.