Isle of Usedom, the baltic island, Germany

The 445 km² Isle of Usedom lies to the far north-east of Germany. Germany’s second largest island, it has a bizarre form and has an almost unbelievable variety of landscapes. There is a 40 kilometer white, sandy beach fringed by woods, rolling hills, wide meadows, forest, bays and lakes. You can explore the island along 400 km of well-signposted nature trails and enjoy the wide vistas of the superb countryside. You can still see sea eagles circling here where the trees bend in the wind and admire thatched cottages and mediaeval churches. It would be easy to imagine the life of the fishermen, farmers and travelers centuries ago.
The towns of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, Bansin, Ueckeritz, Koelpinsee, Koserow, Zempin, Zinnowitz, Trassenheide and Karlshagen lie along the coast like a string of pearls.
The flair of the old traditional resorts reflects an individual charm reminiscent of the Imperial days. The cream of society once promenaded here. Famous people like Johann Strauss, Tolstoi and Maxim Gorki took their constitutional strolls in the fresh sea air. In those days there were many prestigious hotels with marine terraces.

There are villas here built in the Spa's architectural style of classicism. Now, they usually have a fresh gleam and offer the most modern standards. For the most, the long boardwalk has been freshly laid and makes for an enjoyable stroll. The cycle path also runs along here; it has been extended a further 100 km in the last four years.

Anybody not wishing to stay in one place can give the car a rest anyway and mix cycling with rail travel. The train operates between Wolgast and Ahlbeck and between Peenemuende and Zinnowitz.
The boat trips between the piers to Poland and the neighboring Isle of Ruegen are also very popular.
If the weather is not conducive to swimming, cycling, or walking you could take time out in the newly opened leisure center Ostseetherme Usedom, right on the main road between Ahlbeck and Heringsdorf or visit the marine swimming pool at Zinnowitz.
There is a full cultural programe, including plays in the theatre tent "Chapeau Rouge" on the Heringsdorf promenade, the Usedom Music Festival, weekend and flea markets and summer festivals in the port. Of special interest is a visit to the Museum in Peenemuende that was closed to the public for several decades and used for secret military research. It now offers tourists an exhibition in its historical technical information centre at the birthplace of space travel.