Break from everyday life without a long journey

Lake District Mecklenburg-West Pomerania

The “land of 1000 lakes” is perfect for forgetting the stress of everyday life for a few days. In the Müritz National Park, the largest of its kind in Germany, you can roam through the UNESCO World Heritage Site on numerous well-signposted hiking and biking trails. In 2011, this national park was awarded this title for ancient beech forests. At the observation stations found everywhere, you can watch the autochthonous animal species in their daily routine. The lakes are also perfect for canoeing, stand up paddling and other sporting activities. Accommodation options range from houseboats to Hotels 5 stars.

Sauerland Rothaar Mountains Nature Park

If you have a short holiday with a little more history in mind and still have enough opportunities for a trip into nature, you will find what you are looking for in the Rothaargebirge in Sauerland. The Sauerland, which is divided into Brandenburg and Cologne, awaits its visitors with both industrial history and numerous medieval witnesses, such as Altena Castle. This 900-year-old facility, which was renovated in the early 20th century, is considered the historical highlight of the Sauerland region of Brandenburg. The more adventurous can stay here in an original youth hostel with beds from 100 years ago – something different Hotels in the Sauerland.

The region, known for its cool summers, with its gentle mountain ridges, picturesque meadows and dense beech forests, invites you to escape from the cities for a short breather and literally air your head, especially in the hot months of the year. The Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park is not a tourist hotspot even in the summer months, which further increases the recreational effect.

Saxon Switzerland

The Malerweg in Saxon Switzerland is one of the highlights of the long-distance hiking trails – and rightly so, as it leads past all the cultural and natural sights of the area. The 116 km long route can be covered by experienced people in a long weekend. Another option is to choose a particularly beautiful section and immerse yourself in the simplicity and deceleration of long-distance hiking for a few days – which is particularly easy against the backdrop of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

A luggage transport service can be booked and tired hikers can stay in hostels in all price and comfort classes along the way. One thing to note, especially if you’re carrying your own backpack, is that the accommodations also offer laundry services.

Freiburg in Breisgau

Of course, one of the classic destinations for short breaks in Germany should not be missing here – the small, picturesque town of Freiburg im Breisgau. The best way to explore this gem is to log on to the city’s bike-sharing system and start pedaling. This is how you make your way through the old town with its numerous sights, above all the Freiburg Minster, which is considered the main attraction. The House of Baden Wines, the Old Town Hall, the Basler Hof and the Archbishop’s Office are also buildings worth admiring. On the Schlossberg you can enjoy a spectacular view over Freiburg to the Black Forest, and on hot summer days you can refresh your feet in the Freiburg Bächle after a day of sightseeing.

A culinary specialty of the region are the ostrich farms. These are farms (often winegrowers) who serve simple dishes directly at their farm in spring and autumn, accompanied by wine, cider and schnapps from their own production.

Short breaks in Germany can be very diverse. Most of the time, a few days break from the daily routine with a not too long journey have a similarly high recovery factor as two weeks in the South Pacific, where the often stressful return journey destroys the holiday feeling to a certain extent.