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Usedom is Germany's second largest island and can be reached from
Stralsund via the new swing bridge in Wolgast. Usedom is separated
from the mainland by the Baltic Sea, the River Peene, the Achter
Water and the Stettiner Haff (Stettin Lagoon). Here, as is the case
on the Island of Ruegen, the carousel of cultural events keeps turning
even in the off-season. A number of maritime and harbour festivals,
weekly markets, flea markets and a variety of places worth seeing,
such as museums, galleries, historical cottages, the Tropical Gardens
in Bansin or the stork farm in Gothen, the new theatrical show VINETA
staged at Zinnowitz, performances during the summer in the theatre
marquee "Chapeau Rouge" in Heringsdorf, theatrical productions
all year round in the "Blechbuechse" in the yellow theatre
in Zinnowitz, events in the hall in Heringsdorf, readings, etc.
in "Villa Irmgard", the Usedom Music Festival or the "Goes
Fashion Show" in Heringsdorf as well as the Viking Camp in
Peenemuende will leave you no time to get bored.
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The piers in the seaside resorts
of Ahlbeck (the oldest), Heringsdorf (the longest and most comfortable),
Bansin, Koserow and Zinnowitz give a lasting impression of the
interesting and varied style of architecture in the former imperial
bathing resorts. The bridge in Ahlbeck, which is situated in
the North East of th EU, forms the border to Swinemuende (Polish
part of the island) and can only be crossed by pedestrians and
cyclists. All German citizens, including children (unless these
have entered on parents' passports) require a valid identity
card or passport. As Poland will become an official member of
the EU in May 2004, you should take advantage of the opportunity
to shop duty-free as long as it still exists! Once the passenger
ships of the Adler Line have left Usedom Pier and are no longer
in German territorial waters, the shutters of the duty-free
shops are raised and bargain hunters can really have a field
day - 200 cigarettes for 5.99 Euro, a litre bottle of Famous
Grouse Whisky costs 9.49 Euro while Berentzen Korn can be bought
for only 4.99 Euro. Pay only 4.49 Euro for the good old Wilthener
Goldkrone and 1.89 Euro for Eduscho à la Carte. In the
cosmetic department ladies can select, for example, a 50 ml
bottle of Davidoff Cool Water Woman Eau de Toilette Spray for
as little as 31.50 Euro. Enjoy this chance of getting the better
of the Chancellor of the Exchequer for once! |
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| Usedom's reputation as a
great island for bathing is based on its fine sandy beach, which is
almost 40 km long and up to 60 m wide in places. The sea is very shallow
and calm, making it an ideal spot for children or non-swimmers. Areas
of the beach have been closed off for the use of nudists only. Life
guards patrol the beaches in summer. Many different types of sporting
activities are on offer - sailing, surfing, squash, bowling, go-carting,
tennis, riding, flying and golf. Should the weather be bad, there
are indoor sports centres in Trassenheide and Zinnowitz as well as
thermal baths. If so inclined, you can take a gamble in the casino
located in the Forum Usedom in Heringsdorf. |
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A wide choice of museums is available
- ranging from the Historical and Technical Information Centre
in Peenemuende, including numerous local history museums with
their carefully chosed exhibits, to the Shell Museum in Heringsdorf,
in addition to a waxworks, a bed museum and the bicycle museum
in Dargen. And this list is by no means exhaustive! Whether
on foot, on a bike or by water, nature-lovers and hikers can
find exactly what they are looking for in the 11 nature reserves
and 11 protected areas - i.e. unspoilt nature! |
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