Page 59 - zcyj (1)

A typical political prisoner would be held in the jail for 6 months IF YOU GO
and sometimes longer before his or her case moved up through a
rigged judicial process. Historic Highlights of Germany: www.historicgermany.com
Leaving the dark and dingy prison on a cloudless day, I needed Germany Tourism information: www.germany.travel
to shake off some of the depression by taking a short train ride to Hotel Neptun & Spa: Overlooking the Baltic Sea in Warnemunde, this
Warnemunde, Rostock’s beachfront resort on the Baltic Sea. The high-rise hotel was built as a showplace resort by the East German gov-
quaint seafront town is known to thousands of travelers. ernment. Totally remodeled, it is now a luxury hotel with an extensive
Each year, big cruise ships from Celebrity, Holland America spa that is steps from the beach. Each guest room has a sea view. www.
and Cunard call here. Some passengers take a grueling day trip to hotel-neptun.de
Berlin, but those who stay in Rostock are rewarded with the city’s Motel One: With a trolley stop just outside, this economy hotel is a con-

charming architecture and rich seafaring history. In Warnemunde, venient location from which to explore Rostock and environs. The main
passengers can stroll along the beach, the broadest in northern Tourist Office and pedestrian shopping street, Kropeliner Strasse, are a
Germany, and try the freshly caught fish or search for souvenirs. short walk away. www.motel-one.com/en/hotels/rostock/
A vintage lighthouse, seen throughout the town, makes getting
around easy. Rostock Card: A great value that offers tourists free public transporta-
tion throughout the region by bus and train and admission to many
Standing out on the beachfront is the Neptun Hotel & Spa, built museums and attractions. Included are free city tours, discounts on
by the East German regime as a showplace for dignitaries and shopping and spa treatments. Available year-round at transit centers,
lucky guests whose stay had been blessed by the Communist Par- tourism offices and many hotels.
ty apparatus. Totally remodeled, with an extensive spa, the hotel Stasi Museum: Officially called the Documentation Centre and Memo-
today offers sea-view rooms and an elegant restaurant. One thing rial, it is located in central Rostock at Hermannstrassse 34b. Entrance is
has been left unchanged since the Communist era ended. A café free. Tours in English by advance reservation. www.bstu.de
remains decorated in the style of the Socialist days.
Rostock left me with great memories as a city as vibrant as an Tourism offices (Warnemunde, Rostock): They offer the Rostock Card,
ocean beach, but there’s one that rises to the top. guided tours of the city, including by bike, and information on lodging
and attractions. www.rostock.de/en/tourist-board.html
As I left the Stasi prison with my wife, we met a man who was Transportation: The beachfront town of Warnemunde, Germany’s larg-
excitedly showing his young grandson the small, windowless cell est cruise-ship port, is a 25-minute ride away by train (free with the Ros-
where he had been held. tock card). By air: Rostock is connected to major cities in Germany. By
He clanked shut the cell’s heavy metal door. train, Berlin is two and half hours away, while the Frankfurt airport is
It’s a sound you never forget. a six-hour journey. Ferries offer frequent service to Denmark, Sweden
and Finland. Train information: www.raileurope.com

Wine Dine & Travel 2016 59