Germany: Lübeck or Sassnitz?

It depends on your interests. Sassnitz is a small harbor town and resort on Rügen, Germanys most beautiful island. People go there to relax, hike, cycle etc.. Lübeck on the other hand is a relatively big city, historically important, and the Altstadt (old town) is a World Heritage Site. If you decide to go to Rügen I would recommend to stay in Binz instead of Sassnitz. Binz is the most popular resort on the island, with many impressive 19th century buildings. Berlin and Binz are connected by IC and ICE trains, and from Binz you can explore parts of the island by a steam train. Popular sights close to Binz are the Granitz Hunting Lodge and Prora, a huge Nazi beach resort. And Stralsund, the hub to Rügen island and like Lübeck a city of the Hanseatic League and a World Heritage Site, shouldn't be missed. Here is a gallery of the region: http://www.fotocommunity.com/travel/landkreis-vorpommern-ruegen/19063 In case you are looking for things to do near Lübeck: Wismar, Schwerin, Hamburg and Ludwigslust all deserve a visit. Wismar however, also a World Heritage Site, looks very much like Lübeck. Ludwigslust and Schwerin were capitals of the duchy of Mecklenburg and offer splendid castles, in case of Schwerin also a very nice old Altstadt 8old town). Ludwigslust: http://www.fotocommunity.com/travel/kreis-ludwigslust/14322 Schwerin: http://www.fotocommunity.com/travel/schwerin/4403

Hi, Given a choice between the two, I would choose Lübeck, a lovely and very interesting place with that Backstein architecture. It was my introduction to Germany, the first city I arrived at and visited after coming in at Travemünde. Day trip r/t from Lübeck, ca. one hour, I would suggest the area of the Lüneburger Heide. That town escaped the war and bombing untouched in contrast to Lübeck which was one of the first cities to be plastered in the Bombing Offensive. Why Saßnitz, unless you're going there to take the ferry?

I second Sassnitz/Binz and Stralsund. What Martin said, totally worth it. Also, May is still mid-season and the hotels are not terribly expensive. There is a narrow-gauge railroad (sort of a miniature train) on Ruegen and you can rent bikes. I'm sorry I didn't buy a piece of amber jewelry while I was there. The gift shops are full of it and some of it is very attractive. We were there the middle of May, the weather was gorgeous but it was chilly and very breezy on the water (we did one of the scenic boat rides.) I was glad my jacket had a hood.

Thank you so much everyone! Your comments are very helpful. Since I don't think I can count on the cooperation of late-May weather, I am now leaning toward Lübeck and/or Schwerin. If it raining and/or cold, I think I'd have more fun in a city. But, Sassnitz/Binz still seems very interesting - and I've never been to the Baltic Sea. The trip is just for fun and to practice my German. I was thinking that English would be less common in Sassnitz/Binz. Also, since much of my 16 day trip will be in Berlin, so I was thinking it would be nice to get away from the city for a few days. I started researching Sassnitz simply because it is accessible by train, but a bit remote. I'll be staying with a former classmate (American) in Berlin, but the side-trips will be by myself.

I liked both, but think I'd go back to Rugen before Lubeck. I liked the Art Nouveau architecture of the seaside hotels and the long beaches with wicker bathing seats. Rugen being in the former east seemed a little less developed and open. Plus Berlin and Rugen have a long connection – read Christopher Isherwood for an idea of what it was like back in the 20's.

Hi, I've only been through Schwerin, never visited the city as yet. But it was a duchy capital for Mecklenburg-Schwerin, less prestigeous than Mecklenburg-Strelitz, but still well worth seeing. Good choice between Schwerin and Lübeck. From Berlin the Regional Bahn takes you to Schwerin. If you stay in Hamburg, both Schwerin and Lübeck can be quite easily done as day trips r/t. Much quicker to Schwerin from Hamburg than from Berlin.