by Hannah Collerson
You need to go on holiday to Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.
Never heard of it?
Well don’t worry, you’re not alone. If you had to name a German Bundesland (Federal state), your first thought is probably Bavaria, rather than Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, or ‘Meck-Pom’ as the locals call it.
But Meck-Pom is a great location that’s largely untouched by tourists. So if you’re looking for a destination that not everyone has been to, this German state could be the one for you. With hidden gems and plenty to see and do, it’s a perfect holiday destination. So here’s why you should visit (and why you’ll fall in love with) Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.
Getting To Meck-Pom
Located in North Eastern Germany, the federal state spans across a large area and borders Poland to the east. Despite being one of the country’s largest federal states, it is the least populated. (About 1.6 million people… but who’s counting?) Yet with its long coastline, an incredible, albeit rocky, history, and of course, beautiful port cities, the region offers plenty to visitors.
Getting there, however, isn’t straight forward. The region has a couple of international airports including Rostock, but with limited flights across Germany and Europe, your best bet is to fly to Hamburg or Berlin, and then take the train or bus.
Schwerin Castle – The ‘Neuschwanstein of the North’
Schwerin is a city well worth a visit. Being the capital of Meck-Pom, it attracts many visitors who come to gaze in wonder at its beautiful old churches and cathedral, its narrow cobbled streets and most importantly the ‘Neuschwanstein of the North’.
The ‘Neuschwanstein of the North’ is the parliament building which is located in an idyllic castle, enveloped by a large lake in the heart of the city. This Schloss (castle), is often compared with Schloss Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, which many may recognise from the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and is seen as the inspiration for the Disney castle. Whilst the Schwerin castle may not have Neuschwanstein’s mountainous backdrop, it still has turrets a plenty, beautiful gardens and stunning lake views. It is free to visit the grounds, but it’ll set you back 8 € to venture inside.
Rostock – Meck-Pom’s second city
Rostock is, in many respects, Meck-Pom’s second city. With a population of over 200,000 people and lying directly on the Baltic coast, it is one of the region’s most historically fascinating cities.
The summer months unsurprisingly see Rostock welcoming tourists from all over Germany and also those by ferry from Scandinavia.
Its mixture of colourful Germanic buildings alongside its stark reminders of its communist past, create a distinctive feel. Free access to a former Stasi interrogation unit in the heart of the city alongside speedy connections to the nearest beach, mean that the city offers each visitor a unique experience and can cater for all types of holiday.
Moreover, the Rostock Christmas Market, has been voted as the best market in Northern Germany, and is perfect for a cheeky mulled wine!
Visit Wismar
Wismar, a world heritage site city located west of Rostock is not only another lovely location to visit, but also the region’s second most important port city. Once under Swedish rule, the city has a very Scandinavian feel to it with its many fisheries, colourful harbour buildings and Swedish restaurants.
Like Rostock, it also offers a mixture of GDR history with old abandoned factories alongside beautifully painted narrow streets which follow small rivers towards the Baltic Sea. Walking around the city for several hours and stopping to eat a Fischbrötchen (Fish sandwich), is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in Wismar.
Meck-Pom as the perfect beach holiday
Despite Meck-Pom being home to the stunning above mentioned cities, its best attribute is perhaps its landscape.
When you think about going on holiday to the seaside, your first thought might be sunny southern Spain or perhaps even a Greek island… however, in my opinion, you need look no further than the Baltic coast.
With long golden beaches and beautiful seaside towns such as Warnemünde, Rerik and Kühlungsborn, it is unsurprising that so many Germans decide to head to this part of the world for their beach holiday every year.
The piers, clear blue sea and not forgetting the surprisingly warm temperature in the summer time (30 degrees Celsius), mean that it’s not only in southern Europe where you can enjoy warm weather. The beaches are also accompanied by beautiful white cliffs on the island of Rügen, which is located off the coast of Meck-Pom to the North East. Its white cliffs and gorgeous natural parks offer tourists the opportunity to experience beautiful landscapes.
Meck-Pom as a gateway to the rest of Europe
Its geographical location means that Meck-Pom is also the gateway to other European cities and countries. For example, you can buy a return ferry ticket to Copenhagen from Rostock with a sightseeing trip included for about 40€.
If you were looking to head east to Poland, it only costs 23€ to travel to Stettin, (the closest Polish border city), and is well worth the trip. Moreover, with direct and cheap train and bus travel to Hamburg and Berlin, Meck-Pom is ideal.
So plan a visit to Meck-Pom!
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania is fast becoming my favourite region of Germany. There is something very unique to this region, which you will not encounter elsewhere.
It may not have the chocolate box charm of Bavaria or the international standing of Frankfurt, but the imprints communism has left on the region’s architecture and the allure of the Baltic coast make the region especially unique.
If you want to experience a holiday where you can combine history, nature and beautiful harbour cities, then Meck-Pom is the place for you.
by Hannah Collerson
Dublin, Ireland is one of the most beautiful and mystic cities in the world. Known as the “Emerald Isle”, Ireland is a country full of culture and history. Whether it’s your first visit or you have visited before, there is always something new to see.
Get yourself on one of Dublin’s tours
Scheduling tours are a great idea when visiting Dublin because it will give you a great opportunity to not only see everything but also learn from those who live the culture on an everyday basis.
The Guinness Storehouse – for those who like a drink
The Irish are stereotypically known for enjoying a drink or two, and if you’re fan of beer, Dublin has just the tour for you. The Guinness Storehouse, which is actually shaped like a Pint of Beer, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dublin. Guests have the opportunity to see how a pint of the traditional Guinness Beer is created and of course, sample a glass.
Delicious Dublin Tours – get the taste of Dublin
The Delicious Dublin Tours run every Saturday and really offer visitors the chance to experience even more Irish culture. The tours run every Saturday and while traveling through the city, visitors will try traditional Irish cuisine and beverages while touring some of the best restaurants in Dublin.
Dalkey Castle – explore Dublin’s history
To learn more about the deep routed history of Dublin, the Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre is a must-see. The Dalkey Castle, which was a former port, presents tours that are led by a professional guide that will share tales of what life was like as far back as Medieval Times.
The Writers’ Gallery at the Castle gives visitors the chance to learn more about the history of Irish writers and some of the greatest works that have even been written. Another fascinating part of the Castle’s property is St. Begnet’s Church which is believed to have been a part of the culture since the 10th century.
Family days out
If you are traveling with family or even young children, there are a few places that are definitely worth checking out. The Dublin Zoo is a great place to visit, as one of the oldest Zoos in the entire world, millions of tourists have visited the Dublin Zoo for a one of a kind day of exploring hundreds of animals from around the world.
The AquaZone at the National Aquatic Centre is an indoor aquatic park that will bring visitors of all ages a day of fun. For those who are just looking to take a swim, there is a traditional swimming pool that is great for taking laps if that’s the goal. But, for visitors who want to accelerate their level of fun, there is a water roller coaster, a wave pool, a pool for wave surfing, water slides, a lazy river and much more.
The Imaginosity, Dublin Children’s Museum is definitely a top spot for kids while traveling through the city. The younger members of the family can use their imagination and pretend to take different career paths through various exhibits in the museum. There is also an outdoor section of the Children’s Museum that teaches about gardening and environmentally friendly ways of living.
Dublin’s pubs and cafes
Dublin is known for their pubs and cafes and there are a few that must be on the checklist when in town.
A couple of notable cafes
Butler’s Chocolates has been a staple in Ireland since the 1930’s with their delectable homemade chocolates. The Krust Bakery is a great spot to get a Cronut or other pastry and perhaps a cup of coffee while touring the city.
All over the world, there’s a lot of hype about traditional Irish pubs, and of course you’ll find quite a few in Ireland’s capital.
Traditional Irish Pubs
The Jennings Pub is a place where you can grab a pint and listen to live music too. Besides the Guinness Brewery, Brogan’s Bar gives patrons another opportunity to have a pint of Guinness in a pub fully decorated in Guinness memorabilia.
If you’re a fan of literature, you’ve probably heard of James Joyce. But what you might not have heard of is Joyce’s favourite drinking spot, and Dublin’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head. Joyce even mentioned it in his book Ulysses. The Brazen Head is definitely a spot worth visiting, even if you have no idea who James Joyce is. It’s small but very sweet. It’s full of character, history, and is usually bustling with a load of great people.
As you might expect, Dublin has way too many great pubs for me list them all in this article, but head to Temple Bar and you’ll find most of Ireland’s classic pubs. Temple Bar, believe it or not, isn’t just one bar, but an area, where you’ll find a whole load of places to drink the night away.
Dublin as an artistic experience
For visitors that are looking for to learn more about the arts in Dublin then the museums and galleries should definitely be on the list of stops while visiting.
The National Gallery of Ireland contains thousands of pieces of artwork which include work from Van Gogh and Picasso.
There’s also the Irish Museum of Modern Art which has mostly modern and contemporary styles. There are even studios located on the property.
The National Museum of Ireland-Archaeology is for visitors who appreciate the Viking Era of Dublin and will get to see Celtic pieces in the museum as well.
Farmleigh house and garden attractions
A great place to spend a relaxing afternoon would definitely be on the grounds of the Farmleigh House. Originally built in the 1700s, the Farmleigh House property has a beautiful Clock Tower and Fountain Lawn that are just picturesque. The Benjamin Iveagh Library features a lot of unique and one of a kind Irish literature and newspapers that visitors will find fascinating. There are also various traveling exhibits and Garden Shows that make their way through the Farmleigh House as well, so there is always something to see. Visitors can pick up a delicious coffee and pastry at the Boathouse Café while overlooking some of the best views in the city.
For visitors who wish to see even more garden properties, the National Botanic Gardens in County Dublin is one of the most popular in all of Europe. The Gardens are a free attraction and visitors can stroll around and see thousands of beautiful rose gardens, ponds, rock gardens and plants that are known solely in Ireland while learning a lot along the way.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral – some history
You’ve heard of St. Patrick’s Day, I’m sure, but a trip to Dublin wouldn’t be complete without visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a part of the country’s history and tradition dating back to the 1200’s. There is an exhibit at St. Patrick’s Cathedral entitled “Lives Remembered” which pays tribute to those lost during World War I. Visitors can take a tour with a guide or take a tour on their own with the use of a designated app that can be downloaded.
No matter what season or who you are there is never a bad time to visit the gorgeous, historical city of Dublin. There is always so much to see and visit that there will never be a dull moment and additional trips, or maybe even trips, might be necessary!
