{"id":35205,"date":"2026-06-02T16:40:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T14:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/city-break-in-lubeck-travemunde-from-hanseatic-city-to-the-amazon-of-the-north\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T18:20:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T16:20:23","slug":"city-break-in-lubeck-travemunde-from-hanseatic-city-to-the-amazon-of-the-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/germany\/northern-germany\/city-break-in-lubeck-travemunde-from-hanseatic-city-to-the-amazon-of-the-north\/","title":{"rendered":"City Break in L\u00fcbeck &#038; Travem\u00fcnde: From Hanseatic City to the Amazon of the North"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">L\u00fcbeck &amp; Travem\u00fcnde: a green city break along the Baltic Sea<\/h1>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sleeping in an old Kellogg\u2019s grain silo, having breakfast without cornflakes the next morning, and a day later searching for kingfishers on a river that once ran right through the Iron Curtain. Our short trip to northern Germany was full of contrasts like that, and that\u2019s exactly what made it interesting. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Destination: L\u00fcbeck, the former queen of the Hanseatic League, with its seaside resort of Travem\u00fcnde on the Baltic Sea. We took our time, broke the trip into stages, and let ourselves be surprised along the way by nature, brick architecture, and North German hospitality. A city trip that\u2019s as much about nature as it is about history.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"De Amazone van het Noorden? Dat is L\u00fcbeck \ud83c\udf3f #shorts\" width=\"563\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Oj9F2FiXu4A?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stopover in Bremen: sleeping in a Kellogg\u2019s silo<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make the trip more relaxing, we split it into two legs. First stop: Bremen. We checked in at the John &amp; Will Silo Hotel, a former rice and grain silo owned by cornflakes manufacturer Kellogg\u2019s that has been converted into a strikingly sustainable hotel. The red Kellogg\u2019s logo still adorns the roof.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34270\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8A9943F6-C4BC-455E-82A9-A722AA163DDC-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34270\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34268\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1E67EEB5-EDAB-4053-BBB0-A88EB69BDBFF-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Kellogg&#039;s Hotel Bremen\" class=\"wp-image-34268\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34269\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5BAA0C00-EDFB-4795-91F3-E8DFD779D5E8-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Kellogg&#039;s Hotel Bremen - Art\" class=\"wp-image-34269\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The hotel is located on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.denkmalstadt.de\/projektueberseeinsel\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.denkmalstadt.de\/projektueberseeinsel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00dcberseeinsel,<\/a> an old harbor district on the Weser River that is undergoing rapid development. It offers a striking contrast: circular silo rooms with views of the river, exposed raw concrete and steel beams, alongside a city park where the historic fortifications are still visible. No TVs, no minibar, but you can refill your water bottle for free at the bar, furniture made from recycled materials, and bike rentals if you want to explore the city. Reduce, reuse, recycle\u2014but with style.   <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#eeeee8\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Editor\u2019s Note <\/em><\/strong><em>With 116 rooms, the John &amp; Will is larger than the intimate spots we usually highlight. Yet it fits the NTL philosophy: instead of new construction, an industrial monument was given a second life, with a sustainability concept implemented down to the last detail. A logical, intentional stopover if you\u2019re traveling via Bremen toward the Baltic Sea.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">L\u00fcbeck: Queen of the Hanseatic League<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After breakfast\u2014without cornflakes\u2014we drove on to L\u00fcbeck. The historic city center is located on an island surrounded by the Trave River. Just east of the city center, a second river joins the scene: the Wakenitz. In the Middle Ages, L\u00fcbeck was the most powerful member of the Hanseatic League, the trading alliance that dominated the North Sea and the Baltic Sea for centuries. That wealth is reflected in the brick facades, the seven church towers, and the famous Holstentor. It is no coincidence that the old town has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987.     <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34299\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/49931FEE-EC66-4477-ABB0-3E2AFC0BD5AD-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Holstentor\" class=\"wp-image-34299\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34323\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0C8FD32D-BE0C-4361-9582-93D1F9C34CC7-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - St. Mary&#039;s Church - vault\" class=\"wp-image-34323\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34300\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/70791D95-C2DE-48FD-9A5F-4A004E1B5E41-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Salt Warehouses\" class=\"wp-image-34300\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We started at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visit-luebeck.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.visit-luebeck.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tourist Information office on <\/a>the edge of downtown. Great coffee, delicious pastries (the Schneckenhaus is a must-try), a nice outdoor seating area, and a few helpful tips: exactly what you want at the start of a city trip. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Wakenitz: a boat trip on the Amazon of the North<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For our first afternoon, we opted for a <a href=\"https:\/\/wakenitzfahrt.de\/en\/home-en\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wakenitzfahrt.de\/en\/home-en\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">boat trip on the Wakenitz<\/a>. Of the two rivers, this is the lesser-known one, and that\u2019s precisely why it\u2019s worth visiting. From the city center, we glided slowly into nature, away from the city, toward a green oasis. From the deck, we scanned the banks for kingfishers and, with a bit of luck, an otter.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34284\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/67B2404B-F982-4DDA-96E0-A272D6A28E2A-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Wakenitz - Reflection on the Water\" class=\"wp-image-34284\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34326\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5859C7AE-72A1-49BD-A4CB-247B97B3EEC7-1-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Wakenitz - boat\" class=\"wp-image-34326\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34266\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2A4D78F0-1877-47F6-85D9-FAF8E724EBF5-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wakenitz Boat Tour - Home\" class=\"wp-image-34266\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#eeeee8\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s remarkable to realize that these waters were once the Iron Curtain. For decades, the Wakenitz River formed the border between Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (the former GDR) and Schleswig-Holstein (West Germany). The watchtowers stood right on the water\u2019s edge; nature was forced into a state of rest and was able to develop undisturbed. Since 1999, the area has been a protected nature reserve, featuring vast alder swamp forests, water lilies, and rare birds. It\u2019s no wonder the river is nicknamed \u201cthe Amazon of the North.\u201d    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s just a 15-minute walk from the city center. Looking for something more active? Rent a canoe or kayak, or join us on a cruise aboard the Quandt family\u2019s MS Wakenitz\u2014perhaps with a stop at one of the caf\u00e9s along the riverbank.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Courtyards and Passages: L\u00fcbeck\u2019s Hidden Inner World<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next morning, we took a guided tour of the old town. We usually prefer to explore cities on our own, but a local guide adds that extra something: more stories, more history, and places you\u2019d otherwise walk right past. In L\u00fcbeck, these were mainly the famous H\u00f6fe und G\u00e4nge: hidden alleys and courtyards that suddenly open up behind narrow passageways.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-4 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34317\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EBBAF5D7-3C07-42AD-A6C2-E06DD9E6287E-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Courtyards and Passages - Hegnaihs Passage\" class=\"wp-image-34317\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34316\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/D9E6B7DE-2A98-44B4-8C3A-12A203F15232-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Courtyards and Passages - Courtyard\" class=\"wp-image-34316\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34315\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CBBF71C9-0200-4218-8D99-2EFDBB9AC810-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Courtyards and Passages - Passage\" class=\"wp-image-34315\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34314\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/49F3F914-2128-4695-8E1E-756632FC6149-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Courtyards and Passages - Courtyard\" class=\"wp-image-34314\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">L\u00fcbeck still has about 90 of them, hidden behind unassuming gates. There used to be nearly 180. This network of inner courtyards shows how the city once functioned: a dense, compact trading city where everyone literally lived next door to each other in the backyard. It is precisely these places that give L\u00fcbeck so much character.   <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eating and staying in L\u00fcbeck: local and with care<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We wrapped up the first day at Unter Freunden, a vegetarian-vegan restaurant featuring modern cuisine, creative dishes, and excellent natural wines. The relaxed atmosphere was the perfect finishing touch. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34321\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/999D37BD-CF9F-4DE9-99A9-1E319B3700BF-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Among Friends - Plate\" class=\"wp-image-34321\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34319\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/41E533AB-69ED-405E-AC31-F05C7F35484C-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - &quot;Among Friends&quot; Restaurant Table\" class=\"wp-image-34319\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34289\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/294C66BF-698E-4CF2-98F6-AFD6CCB34CEE-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Unter Freunden L&#xFC;beck - wine glasses\" class=\"wp-image-34289\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What we liked: Unter Freunden works with local suppliers. They share a space with the coffee roastery Cycle Roasters, which serves as a caf\u00e9 during the day and a taqueria in the evening. There\u2019s also Burger &amp; Wein, which we just didn\u2019t get a chance to try. Next time.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34322\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/F8F19011-E291-4C0B-A9CD-E76E616B2A0E-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"L&#xFC;beck - Liho Hotel - Front Desk\" class=\"wp-image-34322\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34278\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9DA9DA80-E11D-4E4A-90B1-C375AF86B904-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Liho Hotel L&#xFC;beck - Room\" class=\"wp-image-34278\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34282\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/043FAB5D-D333-4759-93DA-815683A3A29B-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Liho Hotel - Bank\" class=\"wp-image-34282\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We stayed at the LIHO Hotel Lindenhof, a welcoming family-run hotel where we immediately felt at home.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Travem\u00fcnde: Germany\u2019s oldest lighthouse, the beach, and rapeseed fields<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the city walk, we drove on to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visit-travemuende.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.visit-travemuende.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Travem\u00fcnde<\/a>, the seaside resort where L\u00fcbeck meets the Baltic Sea. We climbed the Alte Leuchtturm: built in 1539, it is Germany\u2019s oldest lighthouse, constructed of brick by Dutch masons. It was in service for nearly 450 years, until 1972. From the tower, we looked out over the bay, where ferries sail back and forth continuously.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34325\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/81EC4210-AECD-42AE-9223-2D5F9FDA6150-1-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Travem&#xFC;nde &#x2013; Oldest Lighthouse (Alte Leuchtturm)\" class=\"wp-image-34325\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34288\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/119F668B-69D1-488A-9A40-C1D499183A0D-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Travem&#xFC;nde &#x2013; by bike\" class=\"wp-image-34288\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34305\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Travemunde-4-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Travem&#xFC;nde Binoculars\" class=\"wp-image-34305\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We spent the afternoon cycling. We rode through the old town of Travem\u00fcnde, past fields of yellow rapeseed (Rapsfelder), through a marshy wooded area, and back to the villages and the beach. The final stretch followed a spectacular path right along the sea, past the beaches with the famous North German Strandk\u00f6rbe\u2014those wicker beach chairs you can practically disappear into. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.komoot.com\/nl-nl\/tour\/2937351720\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.komoot.com\/nl-nl\/tour\/2937351720\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Our cycling route on Komoot<\/strong><\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travem\u00fcnde takes it one step further: there are even \u201cSchlafstrandk\u00f6rbe\u201d on the beach, where you can spend the night under the stars, complete with breakfast on the beach and a midnight snack basket. We stuck to an evening outing: pizza at a local Italian restaurant. Satisfied, we wrapped up our two days in L\u00fcbeck and Travem\u00fcnde; a surprisingly well-rounded mix of nature, history, good food, and warm hospitality.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34302\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/25488597-C83F-442B-8079-1D459F1729BD-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Travem&#xFC;nde - rapeseed fields\" class=\"wp-image-34302\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34307\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/61580BC6-5305-4170-9B2D-BA578B8438EC-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Travem&#xFC;nde - bike\" class=\"wp-image-34307\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"34303\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Travemunde-5-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Travem&#xFC;nde Forest &#x2013; View from Above\" class=\"wp-image-34303\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">By train or car: how to get there<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We turned it into a road trip, with a planned stopover in Bremen. But L\u00fcbeck is also easily accessible by train: from the Netherlands, you travel via Hamburg, where you transfer to the regional train to L\u00fcbeck Hauptbahnhof (45 minutes). You can then reach Travem\u00fcnde by train to the Travem\u00fcnde Strand station. A pleasant, sustainable way to discover this corner of Germany, perfectly in the spirit of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/green-travel-tips\/what-is-slow-travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"549\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Slow travel<\/a><\/strong>.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tip: Whether you\u2019re visiting for the city, the Wakenitz River, or the Baltic Sea, book your accommodation directly with the owner whenever possible. It\u2019s better for local businesses\u2014and often for you, too. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical Information<\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Destination: L\u00fcbeck <\/strong>&amp; Travem\u00fcnde (Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany), with a stopover in Bremen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duration: 2\u20133 <\/strong>days; ideal for combining into a longer road trip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best time to visit: late <\/strong>spring to early fall; rapeseed fields bloom around May; beach chairs are available from May 1 to September 15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accessibility: by <\/strong>train via Hamburg to L\u00fcbeck Central Station (and on to Travem\u00fcnde Strand); by car, just over 5 hours from central Netherlands; ideal to break up the trip with an overnight stay in Bremen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Good to know: \u201cMoin\u201d <\/strong>(or \u201cMoin moin\u201d) is the classic Northern German greeting. It\u2019s used all day long, from morning to night <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Marzipan: L\u00fcbeck <\/strong>and marzipan are inextricably linked. Niederegger is the classic brand (over two centuries old); Mest is a newer producer that was recommended to us. We aren\u2019t marzipan fans ourselves, but for enthusiasts, this is the place to start.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">City trip to L\u00fcbeck and Travem\u00fcnde on the map<\/h2>\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1qWstu5O3YxhfyUK2wBSnmrgrYS6c5JI&#038;ehbc=2E312F&#038;noprof=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About a City Break in L\u00fcbeck &amp; Travem\u00fcnde<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What can you do on a city trip to L\u00fcbeck and Travem\u00fcnde?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">L\u00fcbeck combines a UNESCO-listed historic center with nature right around the corner. Highlights include a boat trip on the Wakenitz (\u201cthe Amazon of the North\u201d), a guided tour of the hidden H\u00f6fe und G\u00e4nge, and the medieval Holstentor. In the seaside resort of Travem\u00fcnde, you can climb Germany\u2019s oldest lighthouse, cycle along the Baltic Sea coast, and relax on the beach.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Can you get to L\u00fcbeck by train from the Netherlands?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. You\u2019ll travel by train via Hamburg and transfer there to the regional train to L\u00fcbeck Hauptbahnhof (about 45 minutes). From L\u00fcbeck, you can reach Travem\u00fcnde by train to the Travem\u00fcnde Strand station. It\u2019s a sustainable way to explore the region.   <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the Wakenitz, and why is it called the Amazon of the North?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Wakenitz is a slow-flowing river east of L\u00fcbeck. Thanks to its pristine alder forests, water lilies, and rich birdlife, the river has earned the nickname \u201cthe Amazon of the North.\u201d During the Cold War, the Wakenitz formed the border between East and West Germany; it has been a protected nature reserve since 1999.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How many courtyards and passageways does L\u00fcbeck have?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, L\u00fcbeck still has about 90 H\u00f6fe und G\u00e4nge: hidden courtyards and alleyways behind unassuming gateways. There used to be nearly 180 of them. They are characteristic of this compact medieval trading city.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the oldest lighthouse in Germany?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Alte Leuchtturm in Travem\u00fcnde is Germany\u2019s oldest lighthouse. The brick tower was built in 1539 by Dutch masons and remained in service for nearly 450 years, until 1972. Today, it is a small museum offering views of the Baltic Sea bay.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where can you find sustainable accommodations in and around L\u00fcbeck?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In L\u00fcbeck, the LIHO Hotel Lindenhof is a welcoming, small-scale family hotel. On the way, in Bremen, you can enjoy a sustainable stay at the John &amp; Will Silo-Hotel: a converted Kellogg\u2019s silo with a distinct eco-friendly concept. Whenever possible, book directly with the owner.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When is the best time to visit?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Late spring through early fall is ideal. The rapeseed fields around Travem\u00fcnde bloom around May, and the beach chairs on the beach are available from May 1 through September 15. It\u2019s quieter outside of the high season.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>L\u00fcbeck &amp; Travem\u00fcnde: a green city break along the Baltic Sea Sleeping in an old Kellogg\u2019s grain silo, having breakfast without cornflakes the next morning, and a day later searching for kingfishers on a river that once ran right through the Iron Curtain. Our short trip to northern Germany was full of contrasts like that, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":35207,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[220,216,212,213,197],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-northern-germany","category-sustainable-city-break","category-road-trips","category-green-travel-tips","category-germany"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35205\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}