Spreewald

We spent today in the Spreewald (Spree Forest).  It includes low-lying areas in which the Spree River meanders in thousands of small waterways through meadows and forests.  It is a unique landscape about one hour south of Berlin. Besides the beautiful nature, there are also a number of historic villages as well as old, traditional farmhouses situated along the waterways.  The Spreewald is a preferred region for short holidays, especially for Berliners.  Numerous quiet hiking and bicycle tracks lead through the beautiful countryside. In addition, the area can be explored by traditional barges or canoes.  We chose to cycle through the countryside, stopping here and there to experience the beauty around us or at one particular moment...to climb a haystack.

Out starting off point was the village of Lubbenau.

Making our way through the village.

Historic Lubbenau.

Leaving the Lubbenau and heading into the countryside.

Spreewald waterway.  Traditional barges line the banks and are covered up for the winter season.

The best way to experience the area is by barge.  It is similar to floating through Venice on a gondola.

Lost in a farm field.

Historic Shloss (castle).

Spreewald is known for pickled cucumbers.

Pickled cucumbers are available sour, with herbs, with garlic, with mustard - the choices are almost infinite!

On one of the many bridges that cross over the waterways.