Dear Wandering Spirit,
This summer I decided to make a road trip around north-east Germany, the country I am currently living in, and visit some beautiful places along the Baltic coast.
Road Trip Around North-East Germany
Many of us prefer to travel to southern destinations because of the sunny, warm weather. In high summer, I can recommend northern countries like Germany as well. The weather is mild and there are many sunlight hours per day 
Germany is Europe’s most populous country, and it is a federal republic, divided into sixteen states (Länder). When I am speaking about northern Germany, I mean three states: Schleswig-Holstein or SH, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern or MV, plus the city state of Hamburg.
Do not be scared of the long names, even German people prefer shorter forms when talking to each other. Therefore, this is the north Germany travel journal. 
Reasons to Visit Northern Germany
There are some exceptionally good reasons to visit north Germany:
1# Great bike routes
Inviting bike routes around the city, along the countryside or even by the sea. It is quite safe to ride the bike in Germany, and bike routes are indicated and well kept.
2# Sunlight until evening
Long sunny days in summer, especially in June and July. The sun rises at 5 am and begins to set around 10 pm. It is amazing how long you can stay outside and enjoy your time when it only gets dark after 11 pm. 😎
3# Clean, fresh air
Literally fresh air – the North and Baltic Sea breezes are a cure-all to respiratory diseases. It is true that it is very windy on the coast, but temps reach 30 degrees in summer, therefore, you won’t freeze at all.
The Hanseatic Attitude
When you talk to people from Hamburg, Lübeck or any other place on the North Sea, you will notice some truly unique characteristics. Probably you would not find them in south Germany to the same extent.
There is no ‘Hello, good morning, good evening’ – just ‘Moin’. Do not overdo saying ‘Moin Moin’, as it sounds pretty exotic. For Hanseatic people, you should keep it short and simple. 📣 At their best, they address you directly with a pinch of sarcasm.
Hanseatic people might not appear as the friendliest to strangers used to loud crowds, as they are quite intimate and calm. But if you get to know them better, you will see they are honest, good-hearted, and always ready to help.
Nobody is bothered by thin rain or wind. It’s only bad weather if it’s truly stormy. 🌂 On the coast, thin rain is just fog. Be used to windbreakers and to extremely changeable weather.
Fish, Fish Menus Everywhere...
While in south Germany you will find many meat or vegetable dishes, in the north you will be spoilt for choice if you like fish. Typical plates include baked fish, fish sandwiches (with either cooked or even raw fish), fish soup, fish served with bacon, and so on.
My top three:
The Fischbrötchen with onions, pickles, sauce, and of course fish. It fills you up. It can be herring, cod, small prawns, or salmon (my favourite). 🍔 Some people eat fish buns in the morning as a snack.
Fish and chips. A true evergreen. Pan-fried, filleted, battered, and so on. Hot fish with fries and remoulade sauce is the most popular version. 🍟
Fish soup. Each city and region have their own special dishes when it comes to soup. In Hamburg and nearby regions, you will mostly find lobster, small shrimp, or eel soup. 🦞 All stews come with a variety of vegetables (especially cabbage) and even dried fruits.
North-East Germany Travel Itinerary
You might need 7 to 10 days to enjoy the road trip around north-east Germany at its fullest. If you fly to Berlin, you can take the train to Rostock (around 2 hours) and take the train or bus (approximately 1h 30m) to Rügen island.
Before getting there, if you have half a day, pay a visit to the town of Stralsund, a truly pearl of the Baltic sea. Once on Rügen island, you should stay for a minimum of 3 days and rent a bike. The surroundings are beautiful. 🏞️ Whether it is the national park, the endless sandy beaches, or the lovely towns, you will not regret the long journey.
Take a train back and visit Schwerin. A full day to see the castle and, at least, the city centre should be enough. If you stay overnight, you might extend the visit to Wismar, which is around 40 km away and lies on the Baltic coast.
Once you are done, take a train or bus to Lübeck (1h 30m) and stay here for 2 days. Lübeck is a truly Hanseatic city, and you should enjoy it slowly. The nearby beaches of Travemünde, Timmendorfer Strand, and Scharbeutz offer relaxing moments too. Remember to book in advance a beach chair (Strandkorb).
Finish your visit at the beautiful Hanseatic city of Hamburg. 3 full days are necessary to meaningfully experience this place. 🏙️ Visit the harbour by foot or boat, check out the main spots, enjoy music open-air festivals, art exhibits and some vibrant nightlife. Hamburg airport is served by some low-cost airlines, but you might consider nearby airports like Bremen or Hanover too.
Facts About North Germany
What you might soon notice, is how clean and tidy most places in north Germany are. You find trash cans everywhere, uncluttered streets, and public toilets are always nearby. Public transport functions very well here, and, although it can be expensive, it is usually neat.
Efficiency as a concept is taken very seriously across Germany. Free Wi-Fi, car and bike sharing along the cities, and several activities during the weekdays will help you save time, cut costs, and stay active. 🛴
At this point, it should be clear that you cannot visit north-east Germany if you do not pack a windbreaker in your luggage. Since it is often windy, an umbrella will not help much. The rain is usually very thin and unnoticeable, but you will arrive home soaked – so you need something to cover yourself.
Sunglasses and comfy shoes are a must too if you want to visit the surroundings by bike. You will drink many different beers and eat tasty burgers as well. Remember to tip when you eat in a restaurant; 5% to 10% is common here (if you were satisfied, of course!).
For a quick travel cost breakdown in north-east Germany, check out here. If you have visited or are planning a visit to the Baltic coast, reach out and feel free to comment in the below section.
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