Rügen is a German island in the Baltic Sea. It is a nature lovers' paradise, and one of the most uncommercialized tourist locales in Europe. It is much-loved by Berliners for weekend get-a-ways, because it is not far away. We have been there many times and visited again over Pentecost. (Berliner schools get the Monday and Tuesday after Pentecost Sunday off!) This time, we were at a the northernmost tip of Rügen called Cape Arkona that is known for its chalk bluffs facing the sea.
The landscape is amazing in any season, but the rapeseed fields in spring were especially breathtaking. I kept thinking that I was in the middle of a Van Gogh painting!
It's rarely what we'd call "hot" on the Baltic sea, and most of the time, we had on long sleeves and jackets. But my kids were determined to go swimming no matter what the temperature was.
The area around Cape Arkona is also known for its bike trails. We covered many kilometers on our bikes each day and returned home each evening with that wonderful tired but relaxed feeling you get after lots of fresh air and physical exertion.
The landscape is amazing in any season, but the rapeseed fields in spring were especially breathtaking. I kept thinking that I was in the middle of a Van Gogh painting!
It's rarely what we'd call "hot" on the Baltic sea, and most of the time, we had on long sleeves and jackets. But my kids were determined to go swimming no matter what the temperature was.
Rügen is also a rock collector's treasure chest. We brought home a lot of souvenirs and a few things for future art projects.
The area around Cape Arkona is also known for its bike trails. We covered many kilometers on our bikes each day and returned home each evening with that wonderful tired but relaxed feeling you get after lots of fresh air and physical exertion.
We also got to ride horses through the forest along the chalk bluffs. I don't have any pictures of us riding, though, because after not having ridden a horse in 20 years, I was too nervous to let go of the reins and take a picture!
We'll be celebrating Pentecost at our church gathering this Sunday, so stay tuned!
Wow Sheila! It looks like a fabulous place! So glad you all had a wonderful get-away!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenni! It was a great place. We even managed to get sunburned.: )
DeleteWhat a wonderful weekend! I love the photo of your kids in the rapeseed fields--it's so picturesque!
ReplyDeleteI wish our schools had vacation days after holy days like Pentecost. I always feel like they don't get enough emphasis because it is only celebrated on Sunday in church.
Happy Pentecost celebration this Sunday!
Thanks, Cheryl! It really was a much needed break for our family.
DeleteThe holidays are nice, but they have their drawbacks as well. It means also that you can never celebrate the holiday in church that week, because nobody is actually there.
Also, the majority of Berliners have no idea what Pentecost actually is. They just know it's some sort of religious holiday.
Beautiful, both the family and the landscape!
ReplyDeleteMy aunt and uncle just spent a few days in Rügen, I think it was two weeks ago :)