Latest news with #EastFrisian
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Man disturbs 20 seals to take photos in German nature reserve
A man disturbed around 20 seals in a nature reserve on a German North Sea island to take photos of them, the police said on Monday. The man wanted to take special shots of the seals in the protected Wadden Sea National Park on the East Frisian island of Langeoog in the state of Lower Saxony, said a police spokeswoman in Aurich. To do this, she said he entered a protected zone without permission: In this quiet zone, the strictest protection regulations apply, and the area may only be accessed via approved paths. Witnesses observed from a viewing platform how the man drove the seals from the beach into the water. They then alerted the police. Based on witness information, the officers identified a 26-year-old man. The police could not provide information on whether the man acted intentionally or possibly overlooked warning signs by accident. The 26-year-old now faces a regulatory offence procedure and a fine. (DPA)
Travel Weekly
6 days ago
- Travel Weekly
Germany's overtourism alternative
Felicity Long In this difficult summer of overtourism in Europe, tourism offices are putting a lot of energy into luring tourists to less-crowded destinations. A case in point is the German National Tourist Board, which is touting the off-the-beaten-track beauty of its islands. Islands in Germany, you may ask? The destination has dozens of them, located in the North and Baltic seas. And while no one is comparing them to the Caribbean as a draw in winter, in these days of blistering heat in parts of the U.S., their appeal is coming into new focus. Here are a few to consider: At about 350 square miles, Rugen is Germany's largest island and is known for its chalk cliffs overlooking the Baltic Sea and for Jasmund National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore nearly 40 miles of sandy beaches, take a ride on a historic narrow-gauge train or relax with medicinal spa treatments at Sellin seaside resort. Usedom, Germany's second largest island, straddles the German-Polish border in the Baltic Sea. The destination has a 19th century imperial flair, thanks to its Old World spa resorts. See and be seen on the long seaside promenade, relax on wide sandy beaches or ride the historic pier train. Visitors can also hop on a bike and cross the border to Swinoujscie (Swinemunde in German), one of Poland's most popular seaside towns. Sylt, Germany's northernmost island, is located in the North Sea and is accessible via causeway from the mainland by car or train. There are 25 miles of beaches, as well as golf courses and a whole menu of watersports. Wine lovers can raise a glass at the Villa Waalem on the island of Fohr. Situated among the North Frisian Islands in the North Sea, the island offers cycling routes, local villages and plenty of sheep. Finally, Norderney, an East Frisian island, offers thalasso spa therapy, as well as watersports, hiking and cycling.
Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Car free holiday islands in middle of World Heritage site that no Brits know about
While few Brits have heard of the East Frisian Islands, the chain has become one of the most popular travel destinations for German holidaymakers, and it's not hard to see why As Europe's islands become increasingly crowded, holidaymakers are seeking out lesser-known spots for their getaways. Boasting untouched landscapes, white sandy beaches and unique flora and fauna, one archipelago off the northwest coast of Germany could be just the ticket. While the East Frisian Islands may not ring a bell for many Brits, they've become a top travel destination for German tourists. Located in the North Sea, off the coast of East Frisia in Lower Saxony, these islands stretch an impressive 56 miles from west to east and sit between 2.2 and 6.2 miles off the mainland. The largest island in terms of surface area is Borkum, situated at the western end of the chain. The other six inhabited islands include Juist, Norderney, which boasts the largest town in the islands, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge. There are also several small uninhabited islands, such as Lütje Hörn to the east of Bokrum. The East Frisian islands are renowned for their stunning long beaches and their location within the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea, reports the Express. Bokrum island can be reached by ferry, catamaran or plane, although most visitors opt for the water route. For the best view of the island, make your way to the new lighthouse in the town centre, which stands tall at 60.3 metres. After ascending the 308 steps, you'll be treated to a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Juist is one of the four islands where cars are a no-go, leaving visitors to explore the quaint isle with nothing but their feet, bikes, or even the charming horse-drawn carriages. Over on Norderney, the island is lauded for its luxurious Thalasso-treatments—the perfect escape for those in pursuit of utter serenity, especially when you factor in a trip to the "bade:haus", replete with swimming pools for that ultimate unwind session. And then there's Wangerooge, accessible by a ferry ride from Harlesiel. Once you disembark at the harbour, you're free to jump on the much-talked-about "island train" which will drop you into the heart of town. Wangerooge boasts two churches that merit a visit. The St. Willehad Catholic Church presents a tranquil haven for those seeking solace, while the Nikolai Church serves as a hub for music lovers, regularly hosting concerts and lively music events. Another island in the area that is little known among Brits but loved by Germans is Heligoland. Each year 350,000 tourists, mostly German but also often Dutch and Danish, catch the ferry to Heligoland, a tiny pair of rocks 44 miles from the coastline. They are tempted there by the apparent healing qualities of the air, the calm offered by a car-free environment, and the beaches. The existence of the island itself was, at one point, not guaranteed. The British Navy moved onto Heligoland following the fall of Berlin and spent the next two years carrying out military tests there until finally, in 1947, they opted to get rid of thousands of tonnes of munitions they'd plundered from the tunnel network. Set off simultaneously, 4,000 torpedo heads, nearly 9,000 depth charges and over 91,000 shells of various calibres created a mushroom cloud six miles high. The only structure to survive was Heligoland's lighthouse, which stands to this day.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
German island uses special voting booths: Beach chairs
People casting their vote in the election for the German parliament on the East Frisian island of Norderney on Sunday may find a few grains of sand from the North Sea beach in their unusual voting booths: white and blue beach chairs. "I think many islanders don't know any normal voting booths because they always vote here on Norderney in beach chairs," the island's mayor, Frank Ulrichs, told dpa. He said the beach chairs - large wicker two-seaters with a canopy to protect from the wind - are always available, portable and, crucial for marking a secret ballot, not see-through. Therefore, the island, which has around 6,000 inhabitants, forgoes conventional voting booths, whether for the German parliament, or Bundestag, the European Parliament or local elections. "We've always done it this way. I can't even remember it being any different," said Ulrichs. For voting, a board is inserted into the beach furniture, which is typically used for sitting and lounging, on which the ballot paper can then be marked. This allows for comfortable voting in a standing position, said the town hall chief. Anything else, he said, would be impractical. Only for the severely disabled, such as wheelchair users who are unable to use a beach chair, is a separate table with a privacy screen set up by the local council.
