Baltic Bliss & Polish Parks: Our September Sea-scape to Sierksdorf
September 2023
The wanderlust bug bit again, and this time, the compass needle pointed north. Way north. Mia (my canine co-pilot and Chief Sniffing Officer) and I were ready for our next grand adventure: conquering the German Baltic coast!
Originally, I had my heart set on the glitz and glamour of Timmendorfer Strand but apparently, everyone else had the same idea. Either way, finding accommodation that didn't require selling a kidney was impossible. Enter Sierksdorf: the quieter, quirkier cousin next door. I found a perfect apartment with a balcony there, and spoiler alert: it was the best "Plan B" ever.
The Great Beach Commute
Our apartment was a solid 20-minute walk to the designated dog beach. Since it was September, the strict German "Ordnung" (order) was still in effect, meaning Mia couldn't just frolic on any beach she pleased. But honestly? We didn't mind. The walk took us through a lovely park, which served as an excellent pre-game warmup for Mia’s nose.
And the dog beach itself? Absolute perfection. It was sandy (a blessing for sensitive paws that hate pebbles), and the Baltic Sea was in a particularly Zen mood. It was calm, almost lake-like, meaning I didn't have to hover like a helicopter parent worrying about Mia getting swept away by a rogue wave.
Fun Fact: Did you know the Baltic Sea is much less salty than the North Sea or the Atlantic? It’s technically brackish water. This means if Mia accidentally swallows a gallon of it while fetching her ball (which she definitely did), she’s less likely to turn into a dehydrated raisin.
The Water Baby Dilemma
Here is the thing about Mia: if there is water, she must be in it. If I wanted to just chill, read a book, or look sophisticated, we had to physically relocate away from the shoreline. Otherwise, she would refuse to leave the surf, looking at me with betrayal in her eyes if I suggested dry land.
We found compromise in the huge grassy area behind the beach, dotted with benches, restaurants, and cafes. It was the perfect spot to dry off, grab a snack, and watch the world go by.
In the evenings, we walked along the coast for hours. The sunsets in Sierksdorf are the kind that make you want to write bad poetry—stunning, peaceful, and painting the sky in colors that don't seem real. We’d sit in the sand, listening to the gentle lap of the waves, watching the sun dip below the horizon. It was pure therapy.
The Road Trip Reality
The drive to Sierksdorf from Prague is about 7 hours, depending on how much the German Autobahn wants to cooperate. Since 7 hours in a car is a long time for a human (and an eternity for a dog who thinks every stop is a potential squirrel-hunting expedition), we cut the drive in half.
We stayed the night in a cute country hotel near Dresden. It was the perfect pitstop to recharge before hitting the coast the next morning.
We did eventually make it to Timmendorfer Strand for a day trip. It is indeed more touristy—think more oversized sunglasses and fewer fishermen—but very pleasant. It wasn't too crowded, and the dog beach there is huge! We walked along the shore, snacking our way through the day. By the end of it, Mia was essentially a breaded schnitzel, fully coated in sand, but her tail was wagging, so I was happy too.
Lübeck: Marzipan & Medieval Vibes
We also took a detour to Lübeck, the Queen of the Hanseatic League. It’s a stunning historical town famous for its brick gothic architecture and, more importantly, marzipan.
Fun Fact: Lübeck is the marzipan capital of the world! Legend has it that during a famine in the 15th century, the city ran out of grain but had plenty of almonds and sugar, so the bakers got creative. Thank goodness for famines? (Okay, maybe not, but thank goodness for the result!)
However, the weather decided to turn up the heat, so we skipped the sweaty city center crowds and stuck to the river. There’s a beautiful, shaded path along the Trave river that was perfect for us. Parking was a breeze (a rare miracle in historic cities), and we enjoyed a cool, leafy stroll while admiring the medieval skyline from a safe, non-melting distance.
After bidding Auf Wiedersehen to Germany, we crossed into Poland. Our first stop was right on the border in Łęknica, where we stayed in a lovely hotel.
The highlight here was the Muskau Park (Park Mużakowski). This place is massive and actually straddles the border between Germany and Poland! It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of landscape gardening. Mia was in heaven—streams to splash in, endless trails to sniff, interesting trees to pee on (sorry, UNESCO), and a beautiful chateau to admire. It was like walking through a landscape painting.
Katowice: Sunflowers & Goodbyes
Our final stop was a brief visit to Katowice. We headed straight for the Silesian Park (Park Śląski), which is bigger than New York's Central Park!
What stole my heart there? A massive field of sunflowers. It was beautiful, cheerful, and the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot. The park is fantastic for dog walkers—plenty of trails, refreshments at every turn, and enough space that you never feel crowded.
After soaking up the last bits of nature in Katowice, we pointed the car toward home and ended our epic September saga.
Practical Tips for the Road Warrior
Autobahn Joy: Highways in Germany are (still) free for passenger cars. Enjoy the smooth ride and the occasional lack of speed limits!
Polish Tolls: Highways in Poland are excellent quality (seriously, smooth as butter), but be ready to pay. Some sections have tolls, so keep your card or some Złoty handy.
Dog Etiquette: We found both the German coast and Polish parks to be incredibly dog-friendly. Just remember to bring poop bags—nobody likes a messy tourist!
Until the next adventure!
