Page 89 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

DRIVE 7: Grand Old Prussian Avenues 87

6 Tropical Islands palace is the attractive
Brandenburg; 15910 Schlossinsel, an artificial
Occupying a former Zeppelin archipelago with gardens
hangar, Tropical Islands (open daily) and a leafy maze. Nearby,
is a landscaped indoor park complex the busy harbour area
which contains plenty of water-based buzzes with punts, or
attractions, such as pools, lagoons, Kahn, which cruise the
whirlpools, waterfalls and saunas as surrounding waterways.
well as a number of restaurants. A number of operators
Enjoy the lush landscape and look (www.bootsverleihpetrick.
out for the tropical birds that luxuriate de) offer tours as well as
in the constant 27º C (81º F) canoe or kayak rentals.
tempera ture of the complex. ª From the car park turn Above Canoes in the Spreewald town
ª Return to Krausnick-Gr. left on to the B87, then left again, of Lübben Below left Open-air
Wasserburg and head to Schlepzig. following signs to Lübbenau. Freilandmuseum, set in Lehde
From here turn right, then right again From Lübbenau turn left at
to get on to the B87 to park at the Dammstrasse and park in central
harbourside car park in Lübben. Lübbenau for a 4-km (2-mile) walk
to the Freilandmuseum.
EAT AND DRINK
8 Freilandmuseum Lehde
Brandenburg; 03222 BUCKOW
Popular for punting and canoeing Fischerkehle moderate
trips, the village of Lehde is dominated An elegant choice, famous for simple
by the Freilandmuseum Lehde (Apr– local dishes featuring fish and game.
Fischerberg 7, 15377; 03343 33 74;
Oct: open daily). This museum re-creates www.fischerkehle-buckow.de
a traditional Sorbian village, using Stobbermühle moderate
original houses and farmhouses. Take A former watermill, this charming
a look at the simple, rustic furnishings restaurant serves regional and national
inside, including some memorable dishes. It is a favourite with locals,
beds designed to sleep a whole family. especially for its terrace in summer.
Wriezener Strasse 2, 15377; 0334 36
68 33; www.stobbermuehle.de
The Sorbs
Germany’s only indigenous ethnic LÜBBEN
minority, the Sorbs, now just 60,000 Schlossrestaurant Edelmond
Lübben expensive
in number, can trace their ancestry This restaurant offers superb views
back to the Slavic Wends, who, in of the palace gardens and serves
7 Lübben the 5th century, settled in the traditional Spreewald dishes.
Brandenburg; 15907 Lusatia swamps between the Oder Ernst-von-Houwald-Damm 14,
The largest Spreewald town, Lübben and Elbe rivers. In the 10th century, 15907; 03546 40 78; www.edelmond-
bustles with hotels and restaurants. Its this region was conquered and forc- luebben.de; closed Mon
most popular attraction is the pretty ibly Germanized. Yet Sorbian is still Other options
Strubel’s inexpensive (Dammstrasse 3,
Schloss (Apr–Oct: closed Mon; Nov–Mar: spoken in the region, most street 15907; 03542 27 98) offers traditional
open Wed–Fri & Sun), which houses a signs are bilingual and popular cuisine with a local flavour. Try the local
regional history museum. Behind the Sorbian festivals are still observed. fish and its perch, eel and pike platter.
DAY TRIP OPTIONS A monastery and a ship hoist Sternebech, which joins the B35. Then
This route offers a wide range of Tour the monastery at Chorin 3 take the Hauptstrasse following signs
day trips. and explore the remarkable to Buckow.
Schiffshebewerk 4 at Niederfinow
Spreewald delights before visiting the peaceful woods History and architecture
Begin the day by punting or and lakes at Buckow 5. Visit the memorial at Sachsenhausen
canoeing in the canals of Lübben 2 before heading to the delightful
7, then indulge in water sports at From Chorin take the Angermünder Schloss Rheinsberg 1.
the relaxing Tropical Islands 6. Strasse to Britz, then turn on to
Oderberger Strasse and further on to Take the B96 to Gransee. Take the
From Lübben, take the Frankfurter Coderberger Strasse, then An der Sonnenberger Strasse and then the
Strasse and then the Dorfstrasse to Schleusentreppe and Hebewerk Strasse Rheinsberger Strasse to Koppernitz,
the Tropical Islands. to Niederfinow. Take the B167 to following signs to Rheinsberg.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40

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