Travemünde in the south of the Bay of Lübeck marks the start of our journey. A district of Lübeck itself, the town is now one of the most important German ferry harbours (with connections to Sweden, Finland and Latvia) and, of course, a popular seaside resort. Not far from the Trave estuary, the inner-German border also ended until 1990. Priwall, which still belonged to the West, could only be reached by ferry. In addition to the historic town centre, a sweeping promenade and a fine sandy beach in the shadow of the unmissable Maritim Hotel (with Germany's tallest beacon on the top floor), the "Passat", a magnificent four-masted barque built in 1911, is also worth a visit. Timmendorfer Strand and Lübeck itself, with its famous Holsten Gate, can also be reached quickly by local transport. The town therefore offers enough programme and an ideal starting point for a stay of several days.
The Passat harbour, which is home to the historic four-masted barque from 1911 that gave it its name, has recently undergone a major transformation with the construction of a large-scale holiday complex with a hotel and flats. It has become much livelier thanks to holidaymakers and day tourists. The well-protected jetty has almost 500 berths, with free boxes marked ( www.luebeck.de ; search: Passathafen). If you want to go ashore on the west bank, take the ferry. Otherwise, the Marina Baltica at the transition from the industrial harbour to the tourist part of Travemünde is a good option, a little to the south, but on the "right" side of the shore. The three kilometres to the beach can also be easily bridged from here by rental bike or bus ( www.marina-baltica.de ).
More information? You can find the Baltic Sea Journal with many more pictures in BOOTE issue 05/2021 from 21 April 2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
Niendorf started its tourism career modestly in 1854 with two bathing carts. A lot has happened since then, without the charm of a fishing village being lost. There is a postcard idyll in miniature format, consisting of a harbour, promenade and beach. To the west of Timmendorfer Strand are the Sea Life aquarium and the Baltic Sea thermal baths, to the east the imposing Brodtener Steilufer with the Hermannshöhe excursion restaurant. Guests can either stay in the municipal harbour "Mittendrin", which is very popular and offers only a few places ( www.niendorf-ostsee.de ), or arriving beforehand on the port side at the Segler-Verein Niendorf/Ostsee. Space is also limited here, so booking in advance can help. The advantage here: Everything runs smoothly, the harbour master's office is happy to help ( www.svno.de ). The Evers shipyard and the Niendorf Yacht Club on the other bank also offer further mooring options.
New town offers three harbours with different characters. The town harbour stretches along six sweeping jetties into the town centre, some of which is still historic. A small promenade with restaurants and shops awaits visitors here, as does a fishing museum. The railway station and central bus station are located to the west of the harbour. From there, you can get to Hansa Park, which is only around four kilometres away. On the opposite side, just behind the pretty hospital church dating from 1408, hip cafés and galleries have sprung up in the shadow of former grain silos. If you moor on the outer jetties, the paths are sometimes quite long ( www.swnh.de/sportboothafen.html ).
More information? You can find the Baltic Sea Journal with many more pictures in BOOTE issue 05/2021 from 21 April 2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
Coming from the north, however, the Neustädter Segelverein's round harbour on the starboard side would be the first port of call. The clubhouse with its adjoining "galley" is a nice meeting place. Also nice: the harbour has a 60-metre-long beach for guests and members, where there are virtually no waves ( www.nsv-neustadt.de ). The lido is also within walking distance. From here you not only have the chance to cool off in summer temperatures, but you can also explore Pelzerhaken barefoot on fine sand.
The Ancora Marina opposite on the western shore, on the other hand, is the largest private marina in the Baltic Sea with 1,400 berths. With five stars, it offers a full range of services: from a travel lift and petrol station to a shuttle to Neustadt - on land or on water. There are also various restaurants, flats, a hotel with a spa and even houseboats. Events are also organised in the multifunctional hall from 2015, such as concerts at the annual Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival ( www.ancora-marina.de ).
Grömitz finally forms the end before the Bay of Lübeck merges into the Bay of Mecklenburg five nautical miles further north-east. The modern marina, which can also accommodate much larger boats, is very busy. Even with just under 800 berths, slots for guests can become scarce in the high season. The reason for this is that the seaside resort is booming, as there is hardly anything left to be desired when it comes to leisure activities - between the golf course, restaurants, spa gardens, boutiques and zoo, there is something for everyone. The marina, which has a petrol station as well as various cranes, slips and WLAN, covers everything. Past the newly designed promenade, restaurants, hire stations for all sorts of things and a playground, the route leads to the sandy beach and the longest pier in Schleswig-Holstein at almost 400 metres ( www.groemitz.de/yachthafen-groemitz ).
