Germany Guide
Brandenburg
When Berlin's bustle becomes too much, an expedition into its sleepy Brandenburg hinterland might be just the thing. You'll discover a state replete with gentle scenery, a patchwork of beech forests, fields of dazzling rapeseed and sunflower and heathland sewn together by a multitude of rivers, lakes and waterways. Brandenburg's unsung attractions were explored by Theodor Fontane, who divided the region into four geographical entities that still hold: the Havelland, immediately west of Berlin; the area around the town of Rheinsberg on the border of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to the north; the Oderland, or those lands in the catchment of the Oder, which now mostly straddle the Polish border east of Berlin; and, most popular of all, the Spreewald, a short drive southeast.
Though rubbing shoulders with Berlin, Brandenburg's capital Potsdam could barely be more staid and provincial, yet it's the state's most obvious destination thanks to generations of Hohenzollerns who favoured the city with fabulous palaces and gardens. Elsewhere in Brandenburg, water has been the most conspicuous force, leaving the landscape with a dense web of canals and rivers. The more attractive major towns such as Brandenburg an der Havel straddle them, spreading across several islands, but elsewhere the waterways produce vitally important wetland landscapes. This is best appreciated in Brandenburg's most heavily touristed area, the Spreewald, where the web of gentle waterways is particularly popular for punting and canoeing, and the indigenous Sorbs, a Slavic people, keep their traditions alive.
Highlights
1 Potsdam Potsdam harbours several fine palaces, including Frederic the Great's mighty Sanssouci.
2 Sachsenhausen A former concentration camp – a grim but worthwhile visit.
3 Tropical Islands This huge, bone-warming tropical dome is a big hit with the kids.
4 Spreewald Idyllic pastoral region where you can boat along lush and sleepy waterways or cycle along their quiet banks.
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