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Undiscovered Eastern Germany


Under this heading we include the whole of the former German Democratic Republic or East Germany, today known collectively as the New Federal States. The area ranges from the Baltic Coast in the north to the hills of Franconia and the mountains along the Czech border in the south, from the Harz Mountains in the west to the Polish border in the east.

The area covers an enormous variety of fascinating countrysides offering superb walking, while the towns often bear witness to some of the most significant history of the entire German nation. We currently offer holidays in the following areas:-
The Harz Mountains
The Thuringian Forest
Saxon Switzerland
Upper Lusatia
Island of Rügen

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 Map of Eastern Germany

The Harz Mountains

On account of its location between Berlin to the east, Hamburg and Hannover to the north, Dortmund and other cities to the west, the Harz is Germany's most popular short break walking and holiday area. Once split by the iron curtain, the Harz has been united for 20 years. The central and eastern Harz, in the former East Germany, includes most of the finest country, including the High Harz National Park.

The area has associations with Goethe and witchcraft. The highest mountain, the Brocken, has a deep spiritual importance for the German people. The eastern Harz is also known for its superb half-timbered towns such as Quedlinburg and Wernigerode, as well as one of Europe's finest narrow gauge steam railway networks which offers excellent access to the whole area.
Harz - Palace Harz - Open Country

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Thuringia - The Green Heart of Germany

Still far too little known to the English-speaking nations, Thuringia can be described as the true soul of Germany. Purely German since the dark ages, this is truly the heart of the country, both geographically and emotionally. Thuringia is predominantly rural - the towns and cities are still quite small.

Access to Thuringia by air is either from Frankfurt or Berlin with onward access by train, or on Ryanair who fly to Altenburg in the far east of the state.

Thuringia was the home of some of the most famous of all Germans, Johann Sebastian Bach was born here; writers including Goethe and Schiller spent much time here, and Thuringia was the cradle of the reformation, Martin Luther first translated the bible in Eisenach, while Schmalkaldern also played a highly significant role.

The natural beauties of the Thuringian Forest explain why Thuringia is not just the spiritual heart of Germany, but also its green heart. With its wide range of flora and fauna, including gentians, columbines and sundews; eagle owls, peregrine falcons and kingfishers, Thuringia is a true natural paradise.
Goethe and Schiller Rondell above Oberhof

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Saxon Switzerland

Saxon Switzerland, or the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, is one of the most captivating of parts of eastern Germany. Saxon Switzerland lies either side of the River Elbe south of Dresden and crosses into the Czech Republic; the contrast between riverscapes and dramatic rock outcrops makes for a unique countryside.

Previously a favourite with the German Romantic painters such as Caspar David Friedrich, it has recently also become a popular location for major films. Parts of both The Reader starring Kate Winslet, and Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds were filmed here, and German TV makes much use of the area as a romantic backdrop to its productions. Saxon Switzerland is one of four prime walking areas covered in the BBC TV series German Wanderlust featuring Julia Bradbury.


Here you will find river landscapes, fantastic weathered rock outcrops, flat-topped and offering superb views, and popular with rock climbers as well as walkers, and unspoiled forests. There are castles and fortresses to visit too. The excellent local public transport includes paddle steamers, a mountain railway and a light tramway as well as buses and conventional trains.
Note: Hotels in Saxon Switzerland do not normally have twin rooms.
Rathen on the Elbe Bastei above the Elbe

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Upper Lusatia

In the south eastern corner of Saxony you will discover one of the most unusual parts of Western Europe. Bordering both Poland and the Czech Republic, this is a part of Germany where a Slavonic language is still spoken. Sorbish, or Wendish is, though, neither Czech nor Polish...

The southern part of Upper Lusatia is hill country with a wide variety of landscapes. Granite ridges, volcanic plugs, sandstone cliffs and outcrops, all cut with idyllic valleys and attractive villages. Summits range from 1650 to 2600 feet and offer some fantastic views.

The regional capital of Zittau has a fine marketplace and many fine buildings. The final few miles of our walking tour in Upper Lusatia lead you along the Czech and Polish borders into this fascinating town.
Waltersdorf Lausitzer House

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Island of Rügen

Just off the Baltic coast lies Rügen, Germany's largest Island. Rügen, though, is no simple island. Large lagoons, outlying islands and strangely shaped peninsulas create a unique landscape which epitomises the beauty of the Baltic coast.

Here you will find a mixture of steep cliffs, level sandy shores, coves and shallow bays, all blended with beech forest, gently rolling hills and flower meadows. In the early nineteenth century, poets, writers and painters, such as Caspar David Friedrich, from nearby Greifswald on the mainland were attracted to the island, and in the twentieth century the Nobel Prize winning writer and dramatist Gerhart Hauptmann made his home on Hiddensee, one of the outlying isalnds.

Rügen includes one national park and part of a second, as well as a Biosphere reserve and a number of small nature reserves. There are over 1200 listed buildings, 2300 ancient monuments and 110 natural monuments. The seaside resorts on the south east coast are home to fine examples of the special architectural style to be found throughout the German Baltic, Bäderarchitektur. Rügen is one of four prime walking areas covered in the forthcoming BBC 4 series German Wanderlust featuring Julia Bradbury.
Anemones on Rügen

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It is a simple matter to combine any of these holidays. Please e-mail us for more information. Please supply a contact telephone number and a full postal address with your enquiry. Thank you.



For enquiries about any of these holidays Please Telephone 01946 861652 [ Home ]
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Russell Hafter Holidays • 2 Fell View Cottages • Lamplugh • WORKINGTON • CA14 4TY • Telephone: 01946 861652 • Telefax: 01946 862085 • VAT Reg No. GB 401 0205 41

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