photos: Valerie-Siba Rousparast
Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing more beautiful than summer in Berlin, but when crowded places get even busier and riding the subway becomes a sweaty nightmare, it’s amazing to escape the chaos for a moment or two.
Sometimes it’s just very healthy for body, mind and soul to get out of the fast pace and the heat. What nicer place could there be than Liepnitzsee with it’s clear, turquoise water and the tiny beaches? This lake is not as easy to reach as Wannsee, or Schlachtensee, but trust me, it is worth the ride. Depending on where you start your trip, you will reach the lake in about an hour, going to the far north of Berlin and entering Brandenburg. And you will actually feel like you are entering a different tiny universe, since round Liepnitzsee time seems to stand still. Even on the hottest summerdays, the lake isn’t very crowded.
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by Guest Author | City Guide
photo: iHeartBerlin
For weeks now I have been enquiring from friends and acquaintances about their experiences with the lakes in and around Berlin in preparation for our new guide. There is a few very popular lakes that are highly frequented on the hot days, but there are so many more that you might not have ever heard of that are even better because they are less busy and have a better water quality. In fact Berlin has far more than 30 lakes nearby that are suitable for swimming and the city even has a website where you can check the current water quality and features. Recently Visit Berlin also featured a practical map of all the open swimming pools and beaches and how to reach them by public transport. We went a step further and researched a little more about the lakes to give you a guide of the nicest opportunities to dive into the water to refresh from the summer heat. Our list is a mix of places that we know ourselves or that we have first hand recommendations of by friends or that were highly rated in other sources. Enjoy our guide and make sure to tell us all about your lake experience in the comments below!
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by Frank | Places
We have a little confession to make. Both Claudio and I have been to Lisbon recently – not at the same time, but with the same outcome: We both have a crush on this amazing and beautiful city. Forget Paris, forget London, forget Madrid. Lisbon might not be as big a metropolis as them, but it certainly has more charme and uniqueness to it.
I was there the first time a few years ago and already got addicted to the famous pastries of Belem, enjoyed the wonderful skyline of the city from one of the many view points and marveled at the beautiful hand-painted tiles on many of the old houses. On my recent trip to Lisbon my relationship to the city got a bit more intimate and passionate. The trip was half vacation and half a press trip with Sony Mobile. And while I got acquainted with the nearby beaches of the Costa de Caparica in the first half, I got an extensive introduction to many of the interesting spots in and around Lisbon by foot, by tuk tuk, by boat and by bus in the second one. On this city tour I got to review Sony’s brand new super smart phone the Xperia Z1. Being an iPhone 4 user that has been longing to find a decent replacement for the constantly failing Apple device this was an opportunity that I more than welcomed.
But coming back to Lisbon – this city is an absolute must-go-to. If it’s not for the beaches and the amazing surfing opportunities (that Claudio took advantage of on his trip) than it’s for the enchanting aesthetic of the city and its warm and welcoming inhabitants. Oh and praise the Portuguese for speaking excellent English 😉 After the jump I have some photos and Instagrams that I took on the tour, as well as some special recommendations for the city.
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by Frank | Travel
