Mariew

I am looking for recommendations on how to spend 3 days on the island of Ruegen next June. Would appreciate ideas on small hotels/B&B's, or self-catering places, and any tips on what to see/do. Will have a car, and plan to drive from Hamburg via Lubeck and Rostock. Thanks.

Frances

We planned to spend an afternoon on Rugen in 1996 on our way from Lubeck to Bornholm.We hit the most phenomenal traffic jam about 4 miles outside Stralsund and were completely on stop for some 4 or 5 hours.We were heading for a ferry to Bornholm that night and so had no accomodation booked in Rugen, very little German money left and very little petrol.It was the only ferry for 3 days! The car in front was also heading for the ferry and as luck would have it a local man offered to show us a shortcut. We drove off the road across the fields and back into the queue in the middle of Stralsund. We lost the car in front of us at this stage and when we arrived at the ferry port 30 minutes late, the people from that car were on the deck of the boat and incredibly had managed to hold it for us.
We were told that since the wall came down the traffic into Stralsund had increased so much that it had totally overwhelmed the road system.
This is why I'm telling you this tale instead of answering your question- I didn't get to see any of Rugen apart from the traffic!
There are supposed to be lovely beaches and I seem to remeber reading about a town where Hitlers right hand men and their families used to go for R&R

Ingo

I am sorry I cannot help with accommodation, b/c I haven't been there for a couple of years.

But I think the sights are still the same, eh?

The most popular villages to stay are Binz, Sellin and Göhren on the East Coast. All three are wonderful with perfectly restored old-world-charm hotels, so called "Bäderarchitektur". It is great to just stroll along the beach promenades.

Don't miss to see the 160 m high cliffs of Stubbenkammer, some 20 km or so north of Binz.

Kap Arkona, the island's most northern point with a lighthouse is also very popular.

Another must see is the small town Putbus, a former duke's residence with classical architecture and beautiful gardens. A narrow gauge railway connects Putbus with the former mentioned villages.

Near Binz you find the castle Granitz, also well worth a visit, offering great panoramic views from its tower.

A comment on Stralsund: it has a gorgeous old town with plenty of old houses, magnificent churches, museums etc. It figures on the UNESCO world heritage list and is IMO not miss when in the region. At least for a half day on your way to/from the island.

confidential

Hi, Ruegen is a very charming island, with historic architectural beauties, which have been renovated the last decade after the wall was teared down. We call it "der Osten" (the east - still) and it's a total different atmospehre to take a vaccation there. A lot of beautiful natural reserves that cannot be found anywhere else and it gives a slight touch how the scenery changes if you go up further to lithuania via poland along the baltic sea coastline.
Therefore the accomondations are new service is "german like"(cool but accurate) and you will find more infos about getting around and your premier hotel with this link :

http://www.ruegen.de/index.php3?acti...f37657a5e5e759

enjoy your stay

Mariew

Thank you for the help so far. To "Confidentail"--yes, I am aware of the website but when I click on accommodations, everything is in German. While I do speak some, it is not adequate!! Is there nothing in English--or French--I could click on? Thanks.

Kascha912

Yes, there is: Hotel Reservation Service www.hrs.de
A click on `25 Sprachen' in the middle of the page, will give you a choice of languages.

I started using this service in Europe and like it a lot!

KarenE

The traffic jam Frances was talking about only happens in July and August and only on weekends. So don't worry. I would recommend to stay in Binz. Take one of the many hotels on the water front. If you are not on a budget stay at the Travel Charme Kurhaus Hotel. Ask for special off season rates.
Have fun, Ruegen is wonderful!!
Karen