Once cut off from the western world during the “Iron Curtain Years” this area is known as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since re-unification and forms the unspoilt German part of the Baltic Sea bordering Poland.  Like so much in former East Germany it lived in a time-warp for 40 years– certain places still look like they did before the First World War – and everything has now been lovingly been restored to what it was like when the German Emperor and nobility made this coast their secret hideaway.

There are the historic Hanse towns with the most picturesque buildings (some very Dutch in character), active spa towns with superb facilities, peaceful lakes, fairy-tale castles, colourful thatched fishermen cottages, spotlessly clean beaches of fine white sand with the unique ‘Strandkörbe’ (beach box-baskets) and stunning piers.  During its communist era, it was no secret that East Germany’s Presidents used to spend their summer holidays in one of the luxurious ‘turn-of-the-century’ villas on the most exclusive part of this coast line, whereas the ‘ordinary’ population would end up in basic holiday camps similar to Butlins!

We will be staying in the Baltic Sea Family Hotel Wustrow (***) situated directly on a pure white beach that stretches along for many miles between the Baltic Seaside resorts of Dierhagen and Wustrow.  This thatched hotel has recently been totally restored and all rooms are now non-smoking. The hotel has a small wellness area. Both overnight stops will be in our ‘mod-con’ Radisson Blue Hotel (****) in Cologne.

Programme:

Saturday:             Departures 06:00 to 06.30 hrs; lunchtime train; early evening arrival in Cologne

Sunday:                Buffet breakfast; travel to Wustrow with stops en route; late afternoon arrival; evening meal

Midweek:           Three optional coach excursions with local guide:

                                                Tour of the local area including a horse-drawn carriage ride and visit to an Amber Museum

                                                A castle tour in a nature park referred to as “Switzerland” due to its rolling hills and lakes

                                Guided tour of the town of Rostock; guided boat trip of the huge port of Rostock ending up in Warnemünde; visit and tour of the Minster in Bad Doberan; ride on a steam train       

Sunday:                Buffet breakfast; travel to Cologne with stops en route; late afternoon arrival

Monday:              Departure after buffet breakfast; afternoon train; return 20.30 to 21.00 hrs

This package price includes:

·         4-star air-conditioned coach & Eurotunnel return

·         2 nights’ Bed/Buffet Breakfast in Radisson Blue Hotel, Cologne, Germany

·         7 nights’ Bed/Buffet Breakfast and 3-course evening meal (with choice of main course) in Wustrow

·         Courier/hostess service throughout