Destination: Binz, Germany

When you think of Germany, what comes to mind? Pretzels, beer, skiing in the Alps, and the beach... No? Last year I discovered a wonderful beach town, Binz, in the far north of Germany on the island of Rügen, which is on the Baltic Sea. The beach is a beautiful length of white sand with unique "strandkorb" (beach baskets) to relax and enjoy the view.

This is a beach destination, and although there are some sites to see and plenty of activities, it is a great place to relax, eat some delicious food, and, if you're brave, swim.  There are plenty of restaurants and cafes for a bite to eat or a drink.  I would recommend the Zum Alten Fritz for locally brewed beer and generous portions of good food or the Rialto for decent pizza. Full disclosure: These are the only places we've eaten in the area. For a good cup of coffee and something sweet, try the Kolonial Stübchen, which has a menu of coffees and teas from around the world.

The Binz Church

The beach has white sand, perfect for soaking in the sun, walking, or even stopping at a beach cafe. Dunes, wildflowers, trees, and a strandpromenade, a cobbled walkway, separate the beach from the hotels. There are various walkways along the strandpromenade leading to the beach with signs detailing the "rules" for that stretch of beach. There are a couple of areas that are doggy beaches, and since this is Europe, also a couple of areas that are for naked swimmers. Beware, the water is cold and the weather may be more chilly than the expected summer temperatures. Bring layers!

 There are a variety of places to stay while visiting. Something I like about this area is that there aren't many big, box hotels. Most have unique architecture and add to the great ambiance of the town.

 If you are visiting northern Germany, you might want to take a detour to this area and enjoy some relaxation. This is a great beach, fun for the whole family!