Potsdam

Distance from Berlin:

25 kilometers, car ride 40 minutes, train ride 25 minutes

Where to shop:

The world's biggest luxury brands are located on Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse, including Hermès, Longchamp and Michael Kors.

Where to eat: 

For lunch, head to Juliette in the Dutch Quarter: classic French cuisine and modern creations are served on three floors, accompanied by excellent wines.

The enchanting Sanssouci city palace in Potsdam. © Sandip Roy

Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, scores with a multitude of sights. One of then being Sanssouci: Frederick the Great had the "Prussian Versailles" built, and today the magnificent city palace with its extensive gardens is open to visitors. In addition, one may marvel at the architecture in the artistic New Chambers, in the Belvedere on the Pfingstberg as well as in the Cecilienhof Palace, which now functions as a museum. Also not to be missed is a visit to the Brandenburg Gate at Luisenplatz and the historic Alter Markt. The latter includes some of the city's most famous spots.

The Dutch Quarter in Potsdam. © Shutterstock

If you're looking for liveliness and enjoyment, head to the Dutch Quarter: Built in the 18th century, the district with its small 150-brick houses and cute alleyways offers cafés, great restaurants and exclusive boutiques. Film fans should not miss a tour of the Babelsberg film studio. It is the oldest film studio in the world, and also where "Inglourious Basterds" , among other movies, was shot.

Spreewald

Distance from Berlin:

100 kilometers, car ride 1.5 hours, train ride 1 hour

Where to shop:

Luxurious products can be purchased at the Spreewald Therme, among other places. Lübbenau Castle also houses a boutique with exclusive clothing, jewelry and art. Traditional products of the region - from honey to cucumbers to ceramics - can be found at the Spreewald Market in Burg.

Where to eat: 

In the Speisenkammer in Burg, modern dishes await guests in the spirit of a "cosmopolitan Spreewald cuisine". They are created with much finesse from seasonal, local products.

A canal of the river Spree near Burg. © Shutterstock

The Spreewald, a lowland area in Brandenburg, convinces as a green retreat about an hour and a half from Berlin. Ideal for those who long for some peace and quiet amid idyllic nature. Among the region's most popular activities are trips on traditional Spreewald boats through the region's created canals and many rivers. If the gentle cruises are too quiet for you, head to Burg: the town is the largest tourist attraction in the Spreewald. Here you can marvel at the biodiversity in the Spreewald Zoo or stop off at one of the many cafés and restaurants for refreshments in between.

Charming: a historic house in Burg. © Shutterstock

Not only nature lovers, but also culture lovers will find what they are looking for in the Spreewald: The picturesque as well as listed village of Lehde presents itself as particularly enchanting with its historic wooden log houses standing on stilts, the Freilandmuseum and the Gaststätte Wotschofska. The Slawenburg Raddusch, a historic fortress complex dating back to the 9th century, and the Stiftung Fürst Pückler-Museum are also worth the detour. Afterwards, you can relax in the Spreewald Therme.

Usedom 

Distance from Berlin:

200 km, car trip about 2 hours, train trip 4 hours

Where to shop:

If you stroll through the alleys and along the beach promenades in the imperial resorts of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin, you will find numerous exclusive stores and boutiques for designer clothing, jewelry and accessories.

Where to eat:

At the Michelin-starred Kulmeck by Tom Wickboldt in Heringsdorf, Tom Wickboldt spoils guests with casual gourmet cuisine.

The pier Heringsdorf on Usedom. © Andreas Kretschmer

Island dream on the Baltic Sea: The island of Usedom is rightly one of the most popular destinations in the north of the country. It is advisable to set off early in the morning by car or bus to enjoy the day fully on the wide sandy beaches and seaside resorts of Germany's second largest island. The three imperial resorts of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin are known for their beautiful, wide beaches and old villas. Here you walk through the dunes overlooking the Baltic Sea and marvel at the historic spa architecture. The Seebrücke Heringsdorf, where you will find numerous stores, restaurants and a viewing platform, is particularly impressive.

The seaside resort of Bansin on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom. © Stephan Glauner

Not only bathing enthusiasts will find a small paradise on Usedom: A wide network of cycling and hiking trails through forests, moors, past lakes and dunes is open to sports enthusiasts. The island's history is witnessed by the historic Usedomer Bäderbahn, a historic steam railroad that runs along the Baltic coast, past picturesque villages. The Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum also offers a glimpse into Usedom's past: located on the site of a former rocket research facility, the building is dedicated to this very subject. If you'd like to extend your trip overnight, it's best to stay at Schloss Stolpe, a charming 16th-century building that now houses a restaurant and hotel.