70 sunday express .#') *+*,'-'* %$'+! 6
TRANSCRIPT
70 SUNDAY EXPRESS August 26, 2012 TRAVEL
A Germany you won’t expect
BALTIC CITY : Rostock in the north
involve some shopping on the famous Merchants’ Bridge. This cobbled street of ornate and picturesque shops is built upon the river, with the shopowners still living above their premises. Erfurt’s answer to Florence’s Ponte Vecchio offers everything from goldsmiths, to artworks, to clothing, to clocks and is a delightful place to while away an hour or two.
Leaving pretty Erfurt behind, I take the train and head to Potsdam, an amazing place on Berlin’s doorstep. It has been a Unesco Cultural Heritage Centre since 1990 and has everything from grand palaces and lovely parks to beautiful waterways. If you are interested in history, there is enough here to keep you busy for years.
Again, this is a place that both suffered from and profi ted by the Cold War. The grand houses and boulevards were left to peel and decay only because the politicians of the GDR couldn’t afford to demolish them to build a grand vision in modernist concrete.
And that’s lucky for us, for today they are now restored, stunningly beautiful and fi endishly expensive. Potsdam is the place to live for rich Berliners who are tired of the nightlife and want to bring up families.
Frederick the Great, born in 1712, was the man who made Prussia the power that it was, and when he wasn’t
FROM PREVIOUS PAGE planning invasions of his neighbours, he enjoyed building palaces. And Frederick certainly didn’t believe in ‘less is more’. The most famous is the Palace of Sanssouci, whose fountains and terraces greet you as you enter the lovely Sanssouci Park.
Walking or cycling the length of this beautiful park will take you past the Orangery and the Chinese House on your way to the New Palace, an imposing grand pile which Frederick built to house his guests.
Sixty rooms of it are playing host to the Friederisiko exhibition until the end of October, which tells the story of this rather strange, unhappy man.
AMORE lighthearted way to see the city is to take to the water. Huckleberry’s may not sound a very German name, but if you take one of their rafts you
can fl oat down the Havel River and look at the many palaces and historic houses on the banks. You can also sail right under the Glienicke Bridge where spies were swapped during the Cold War era, and ponder over the many people who lost their lives trying to swim the short distance across the river, from one bank to the other, from imprisonment to freedom.
Beach holidays and Germany are words that are not often heard together but a train trip north from Berlin takes you to the beautiful Baltic coastline.
White sands, a sparkling sea and picturesque seaside towns are waiting to welcome you. Half-an-hour from the historic city of Rostock is the charming little town of Warnemunde, and dominating the main beach there is the Hotel Neptun.
From the outside this fi ve-star hotel could be any 1970s block, but it has an interesting history. Back in the GDR days, only those with connections could ever hope of getting a room there. It played host to may important guests from the Soviet bloc, as well as being renowned for being well wired up by the Stasi on their constant hunt for secrets.
Those days have long gone and it is now just a lovely hotel, with fantastic food and a famous health spa. But sitting on the balcony, looking out to sea, it is hard not to wonder who once
REGAL SPLENDOUR:The majestic Palace of Sanssouci was built by Frederick the Great. Below, one of Erfurt’s picturesque squares
STUNNING: The New Palace at
Sanssouci Park in Potsdam was built
to house Frederick’s guests
SUNDAY EXPRESS August 26, 2012 71TRAVEL
A Germany you won’t expect
stayed in your room – Fidel Castro perhaps, who was a frequent visitor.
Walk round the arty little seaside town with its old fishermen’s cottages and pleasant seafront, or spend a relaxed day on the beach watching the surfers and the cruise ships arriving on their passage around the Baltic. Either is a lovely end to a wonderful trip around this part of Germany where the ghosts of the past are slowly fading away and the colours are at last shining bright again.
l gETTing ThERE: For further information visit www.historicgermany.com. Room rates for Mercure Hotel in Erfurt can be found at www.mercure.com. Rates for Hotel am Grossen Waisenhaus in Potsdam are at www.hotelwaisenhaus.de. And rates for Hotel Neptun in Warnemunde are at www.hotel-neptun.de. Details of rail travel can be found on www.bahn.com. For more on Huckleberry’s rafts visit www. huckleberrys-tour.de
LATE DEALS: City breaks for under £400
PARiSShop in marvellous department store Galeries Lafayette or take in the Gothic wonder that is Notre Dame. The French capital is also home to some of the world’s most prestigious galleries such as the Louvre which houses that enigmatic portrait, the Mona Lisa. or visit the converted railway station that is now the Musée d’orsay, on the Seine, to see an extensive collection of Impressionist masterpieces by painters such as Renoir and Monet. l Travelzoo (0114 250 4404/travelzoo.co.uk) offers three nights at the Hotel Le 123 Elysées with Voyager Travel Direct from £399pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from Manchester. Departs August 31.
PRAgUETake a late summer break to this medieval masterpiece of a city. Stroll through the 12th-century old Town Square and soak up the architecture, or admire it from the great height of the old Town hall Tower offering panoramic views of the fairytale city.l Jet2Holidays (0800 408 5599/jet2holidays.com) offers three nights at the Fortuna West Hotel from £170pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from Manchester. Departs September 4.
VEniCEThe ultimate romantic getaway. Cuddle up in a gondola as you float along the atmospheric canals lined with Renaissance palaces. another way of savouring the many sights is on a guided walking tour which takes in attractions such as piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) and the historic Rialto Bridge which has spanned the Grand Canal for more than four centuries.l British Airways (0844 493 0758/ba.com/venice) offers three nights at Hotel Floris from £185pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from Gatwick. Departs September 6.
AMSTERDAMexpLoRe this vibrant city on two wheels using more than 250 miles of cycle lanes. Bike rental shops offer daily hire from £7. There’s something for everyone: art lovers can head to the Rijksmuseum which holds works by Dutch masters Rembrandt and Vermeer and children will love amsterdam Zoo, within walking distance of the hotel.l easyJet Holidays (0843 104 1000/holidays.easyjet.com) offers two nights at the Hotel Arena from £180pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from London Southend. Departs September 11.
call quoting code EXP0871 988 8324Book: www.newmarket.travel/exp17484
More great offers can be found at www.express.co.uk/traveloffers
Complete this coupon & send to: Newmarket Promotions Ltd, FREEPOST KT2720, Worcester Park,KT4 8BR (No Stamp Required)
Please send me a brochure for: Scottish Isles & Faroes 2013 - NGBName TelAddressPostcode Email EXPIf you prefer not to receive information and offers from organisations carefully selected by Express Newspapers, please tick here ❑
Operated by Newmarket Promotions Ltd. ABTA V787X. Subject to availability. Single supplement applies. Fares exclude gratuities.Calls cost 10p p/min from a BT landline. Discount applies to bookings made by 3 Sep 2012. Offer may be withdrawn at any time.
traveloffer
This is a marvellous early summeropportunity to explore some ofthe stunning remote islands offour northern shores, includingthe Danish Faroes , and includesa call in Kirkwall, the historicOrkney capital.
Marco Polo sails on a wide choiceof wonderful itineraries from Leithand Tilbury in 2013 – full detailsalso available!
Scottish Isles& Faroes Cruise
From Leith on MS Marco Polo - Departs 26 May 2013Price includes● Five nights’ full board accommodation on
board MS Marco Polo based on two peoplesharing a twin cabin
● First-class on-board entertainment● Ports of Call: Torshavn (Faroes), Stornoway
(Outer Hebrides), Kirkwall (Orkney)● Excellent service from an attentive crew● Traditional British and International full board
cuisine● Quote promotional code KHXZEA
6 daysWAS £549
NOW from just
£449
Book by 3 September and take advantage of an extraordinary Early Booking Offer on thiswonderful 2013 cruise holiday. First passenger sharing a twin cabin enjoys a discount ofup to 20% off the original brochure price (as shown), while the second passenger pays halfthat discounted price! Truly amazing value!
Buy-one-get-one-HALF-THIS-PRICE!Book by 3 Sep 2012
Buy-one-get-one-HALF-THIS-PRICE!Buy-one-get-one-HALF-THIS-PRICE!Buy-one-get-one-HALF-THIS-PRICE!Buy-one-get-one-HALF-THIS-PRICE!Buy-one-get-one-HALF-THIS-PRICE!
L’Eree Bay Beach HotelPopular Hotel overlooking the sea
Great location. Bistro, bar and pool. Great food.Owner is Chef. En suite rooms. B/B included.Halfboard only £12 per night extra
Greenacres HotelLovely Country House charm
Set in rural St Martin’s in quiet lanes. Great food.En suite rooms. B/B included.
Halfboard only £16 per night extra
FLY GATWICK, BRISTOL, EAST MIDLANDS, STANSTED(Add £30 - Manchester, Southampton Add £60 - Birmingham, Exeter)
www.islandgetaways.co.uk
129£Guernsey
All prices per person based on 2 sharing. Booking fee £12 per person. ATOL/TOPP FEE £2.50 per person.
OR BY FERRY WITH YOUR CAR from PORTSMOUTH & POOLE
Crazy fly-awaydeals
fromonly for new bookings made 25th-31st August
BOOKING HOTLINE 01983721111
BOOK NOW! 2nts 3nts 4nts 7nts25Aug-17Sep £199 £239£279£39918Sep-9Oct £179 £219£259£37910Oct-31Oct £129 £149£169£199
BOOK NOW! 2nts 3nts 4nts 7nts25Aug-17Sep £249£299 £349£49918Sep-9Oct £229£279 £329£47910Oct-31Oct £179£229 £279£399
BONUS: BOOK THIS WEEK FOR FREE CAR HIRE! (1st 2 nights)
Fly from Gatwick, Bristol,Birmingham, Manchester,Southampton, Stansted
Prices are per person based on 2 sharing.Deals based on full payment at time of booking.
with FREE tours toVENICE & VERONAonly for newbookingsmade 25th-31stAug
01983721111www.italiangetaways.co.uk
LakeGarda£399
Italy’s BeautifulVisit
7ntsB/B from
Hotel Alpino,MalcesineVery popular just metres from the lake.All dates only £599 if you book this week!
HotelCentrale,RivaDelGardaTop location right by the lake.
Sept £599Oct 6,13,20 £499 Oct 27£399FREE HALF BOARD UPGRADELake view room upgrade - £50pp
HotelPrimo,RivaDelGardaIdeally situated, close to the beach.
All dates only £599 if you book this week!FREE HALF BOARD UPGRADE
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS!Price you see is the price you pay!
HotelLa Perla,RivaDelGardaTop hotel with pool. Fantastic mountain views.All dates only £699 if you book this week!FREE HALF BOARD UPGRADE
reader offer
I enclose a cheque for £.......... made payable to EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS OFFER (FB1181)Please write your name and address on the back of your cheque. Alternatively, please debitmy Visa/MasterCard/Switch/Maestro card:Card No:
Switch Issue No. Valid from date: Expiry date:
Security Code
Signature:
Mr/Mrs/Ms: Initials: Surname:
Address:
Postcode:
Daytime Tel No:Please allow 14 days for delivery. If not fully satisfied, please return within 14 days for a refund/replacement. Offer subject to availability.Reg. London 141748 Express Newspapers, The Northern & Shell Building, No. 10 Lower Thames Street, London, EC3R 6EN.* Calls cost10p per minute from a BT landline plus network extras.
Please send me Price Qty Total
E678 Luggage Scales £9.95S033 Two Luggage Scales - SAVE £2 £17.90
As airlines get tougherwith baggage sizes andallowances, pack safe withthese compact and accurateluggage scales
Their traditional analoguedisplay gives you a readingin both pounds and kilos,weighing up to a heavy 35kgsor 77lbs - more than enoughfor even the heaviest case
The scales even comewith an integral measuringtape to check your luggageis neither too heavy, nortoo large!
Very compact (theymeasure only L13cm W8cmD4.5cm) and weighing inat only 180g, the luggagescales will pack into a cornerof your case, ensuring youdo not overload your casewith shopping on the wayhome either!
Simply use the strongmetal hook to loop under thehandle of the case and liftusing the comfort handle
They work just likebathroom scales with weightshowing on the display
ONLY £9.95 INCLUDINGP&P
CALL 0871 988 8410* QUOTE FB1181
WWW.SHOP.EXPRESS.CO.UK/FB1181SUNDAY EXPRESS OFFER FB1181 ✁
Belton Road West,Loughborough,Leics LE11 5XL
Belton Road West,
GREATIDEA!
FLY FROMMANCHESTER,SOUTHAMPTON, EDINBURGH,BELFAST, BRISTOL, CARDIFF,GATWICK, NEWCASTLE,GLASGOW, BIRMINGHAM,EXETER, LUTON, NORWICH
ANYDATE£399Departs every Saturday
ANYDATE£499Departs every Saturday
Also: fast ferry from POOLE ortraditional ferry from PORTSMOUTH
BOOKING HOTLINE:
01983 721111
7NIGHT DEALS BYAIRFromonly £399
All prices per person based on 2 sharing.Air prices based on Saturday flights.
Booking fee £12 per person.ATOL/TOPP FEE £2.50 per person.
Water’s Edge HotelSuperb 3★★★ Hotel by the sea
Dramatic location overlooking Bouley Bay. Incredibleviews from front facing rooms. Great food. B/B included.H/B only £15pppn extra. Sea view room £5pppn extra
Hotel de France4★★★★ luxury in the heart of St Helier
Deluxe Hotel of international fame. Top service.Excellent food. Choice of restaurants. B/B included.Superb spa, pool, jacuzzi and Wellness Centre
www.islandgetaways.co.uk
only for new bookings made 25th-31stAug
sc*/gas sc*/gas