The sea has a special gift. It always makes me calm. This weekend we took the car, left the city life behind us and drove up north to Rügen. It only took us three hours from Berlin. The sun was out and temperatures up to 27 degrees! Rügen is indeed Germany's most beautiful and idyllic Baltic island. Famous for its endless white sandy beaches, pine trees and impressive chalk cliffs, the island has always inspired romantic landscape painters such as Caspar David Friedrich (oil painting from 1818) and many others.

Regardless of which season you go, the island is ideal for sailing, fishing, hiking or just walking along endless beaches. A perfect place for slowing down and facing stunning nature.

Already in the 1920th Rügen became a popular place amongst wealthy Berliners who spent their weekends in elegant seafront villas at Binz and Sassnitz which until today remain beautiful seaside resorts located northeast of the island.

The view on the Sellin Pier Seebrücke is a-must-see when in Rügen. Here are some pictures of the pier with the famous "Strandkörbe", which are literally beach baskets or chairs protecting from the strong wind of the Baltic Sea and the sun. You can rent them and spend your day comfortable by the beach reading a book, relaxing and having a nap in your own little shell. These two seaters were invented in 1882 by a German basketmaker and since then the white shell colonies are an important part of the beach scenery.

Cape Arkona is one of the northern points of the island. A 45-metre-high cape with breathtaking views over the cliffs and the baltic sea. There you'll find the slavic temple fortress of Jaromarsburg and two lighthouses which underline the maritime touch of the island.

One of the other main attractions on Rügen are the Chalk Cliffs at the Jasmund National Park. Here's a picture of the impressive view you have from Königsstuhl, one of the most famous Cliffs of the island:

My favorite time of the year in Rügen is June as it's less crowded and you can walk for hours along the white beaches. The area is also ideal to explore by bike as there are really nice cycle paths around the island. If you have some time on Rügen then plan a trip to Hiddensee, a car-free island with stunning landscapes.

When it comes to accommodation, you'll have many options between hotels, beach houses and camping places. The "Strandwood House" is one of the island's most beautiful beach houses I've ever seen. Entirely built of wood, a perfect combination of scandinavian design and minimalism. A cosy address to stay.

In Altenkirchen there is a really nice camping place called Drewoldke where you can set up your tent under pine trees and have direct access to the beach. You'll find another very nice camping place in Dranske called Caravancamp Ostseeblick, located on the westend of the island.

As a hotel suggestion, the CERÊS in Binz is ideal for a special treat. Very elegant and tasteful with stunning views on the Baltic Sea. The Tower Suite has a glass cupola and gives the building its unique maritime character.

In the area of Rügen you will find many houses with thatched roofs called "Reetdach", they are made out of dry vegetation such as straw and fit perfectly into the scenery!

Sunrise to sunset...white sandy beaches and stunning nature....this island is a true source of inspiration and pure relaxation. A perfect weekend escape!