Reader Reviews

Germany: Rugen
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Reviewed by: Ben Kohls
Date of Trip: August 2, 2000

I spent a week on the island of Rugen, which is located in the Baltic Sea directly above Germany. There are not many Hotels on the island but it is the uncommercialized setting that makes Rugen a great stop while in Germany. The beautiful beaches can be found on all sides of the island. The water is usually fairly cool, but the sun is a perfect compliment to it. Early morning walks on the beach can provide you with a timeless memory of the sun rising over the serene Baltic. Also sunset hikes on the interior hills of the island are an excellent opportunity for one to watch the heavens and sea melt into one great explosion of oranges, reds, and yellows.

You can take a train or series of trains to get to northern Germany but you have to take the ferry out to the island. While on the island a bus is about the fastest way to get anyplace, but touring the island by bike on the many trails that wind throughout the island is one of the best ways to experience the island.

Hotel accommodations are not of great number. I stayed with a group of people and we were able to rent a school building for a decent price and we camped in the class rooms

The many Imbisses that dot the beaches provide decent food at a tourist price. The best places to grab lunch are at one of the locals houses the sell traditional German fast food (wurst!). There are a few sit down dinner restaurants for evening dinning, but nothing with any formality, after all you are there to be informal!

The beach. People go to Rugen to get away and relax with friends and family on the beach, and after all the beach is what you make of it.

Usually you can get in on a game of afternoon beach volleyball, with other vacationers. Swim, relax, and enjoy, that is the name of the game.

Kids love the beach! There are no daycare centers unless your hotel provides this kind of service.

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