End of September 2007 we decided for a short trip to Warnemünde and Rostock. We went on the A 1 in the direction of Hamburg and from there on the former demarcation line towards Wismar. After about 470 km we had reached our destination Warnemünde. There, we moved into our room in the 1971 built Hotel Neptun. This 19-floor-concrete block on the beach had been built during the GDR era of Swedish workers. Even from afar, the tower was visible. The hotel was apparently a major renovated, but it could not deny it's East German past. Our room on the eighth floor offered beautiful views of the beach of Warnemünde and the city itself. Unfortunately, the room for a 5-star rated hotel was relatively small.
Unfortunately the weather for our trip was not well chosen. The air temperature was only 11 degrees and it was blowing a strong wind. This led along the entire Baltic Sea coast to some violent storm surges. Also in Warnemünde, a large part of the beach was flooded. People tried to secure the beach chairs. These were invented by the way in Warnemünde.
The town of Warnemünde was mentioned in documents in 1195. Around 1800 the site was also discovered by the seaside tourism, and in 1900 14,000 swimmers have already visited the seaside resort. Today, Warnemünde presents as beautifully decked out town on the Baltic Sea beach. One an guess the number of summer crowds form the numerous pubs, restaurants and souvenir shops.
Impressive is the long beach promenade, in the center is the Hotel Neptune is. Next to it is locaded the spa build 1914-1928 in the Bauhaus style, which today houses a casino. Behind the Kurhaus is a traditional historic Kurhaus garden. On the beach promenade one reaches the well-known "Tea Pot" cafe. The building was built in 1968 in a then futuristic style. Immediately beside it is the 32 m high lighthouse centennial. Going several steps further, you reach the old stream, now a maritime promenade. On the quays boat behind the boat lies and pleasure boat pleasure behind pleasure boat. In the former fishermen's houses, there are many shops and restaurants. Since it is easy to imagine, that in the warmer months, it is difficult to get free seats at the tables in front of the bars. 
The houses at the "Strom" are the first ever built in Warnemünde. Once there lived fishermen, sailors and pilots in the little gabled houses, which were mostly consisted of simple timber-framed and covered with reeds or straw. As the row of houses was soon complete, a line was built behind it. Going along the road from the sea, the yellow-painted Bailiwick strikes the eye. Part of the Bailiwick were built from 1250th
Here there is also a pass over the old Strom. Over the old swing bridge, you reach the fish market and the railway station in Warnemünde. Within sight of the Bailiwick was built in a beautifully restored half-timbered house, the very remarkable local museum. From here it takes only a few steps to the neo-Gothic church. Not far from the Mühlenstraße you will find an old windmill that now houses a restaurant. Opposiste to the Mühlenstraße was an old cemetery, a park, about which one quickly reaches the beach.
Highly recommended are the many offered, one-hour harbour cruises. Because of Rostock no longer has its own port, many ferries to Scandinavia stop in Warnemünde. In the summer months Warnemünde is packed by numerous cruise ships. Besides tourism, the Aker Warnow Wharf is a major employer in the city. Here are parts of ships pre-assembled, including, inter alia, for the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg.
Opposite of Warnemünde lies the district Hohe Düne. This got well known in the 1920's and 30's for its aircraft production, including the Arado Works. Today, here is the Hohe Düne marina and a yacht harbour residence of the same name.
The main station of Rostock can be reached easily in just under 30 minutes via the S-Bahn. The settlement of Rostock was founded in 1160 and got very well known during the period of the Hanseatic League. Already in 1419, the University of Rostock was founded and making it the oldest in Northern Europe. From the station one reaches the Rosa Luxembourg Street and after about 1 km the Old Town. Amidst the medieval stone gate immediately the neo-Gothic Ständehaus catches your eye.
Quickly one reaches the Town Hall and the New Market. The City Council is so far peculiar because it was placed in front of the Gothic facade a Baroque porch with pergola. Also the town hall was painted in a pink hue. Very interesting are opposite the Town Hall the gabled houses. 
Just a few steps further is St. Mary's Church as the main church of the city. It was built in the style of the region of bricks. Currently, during our visit there were numerous renovations. Particularly interesting is the visit of the Astronomical Clock in the 14th Century.
These clocks were at that time in fashion, and also in the cathedral of my hometown there is one. Access to St Mary's Church is over the goat market, with the Renaissance portal of the old coin, in which even today a bank located. From here it goes quickly to the Kröpeliner Street, the shopping area of Rostock. Here, as elsewhere in Germany are found the well known chain stores.
Quickly you get to University Square, which adjoins the main building of the university. On the square is also a monument of General Blücher. A little further on is another Rostock city gate, the Kröpeliner Tor on which there are also remains of the old ramparts.
Turning right, you reach the Lange Straße. This is one of the main thoroughfares of the city. It was created after bomb attacks in 1942 and was built in the communist era as a wide street parade. From the Lange Straße a few narrow streets are leading towards the city port. We recommend a walk on the Wokrenter street where there is a beautifully restored house. Here clearly can be seen the structure of a Hanseatic merchant's house.
Going a little further, you reach the highway Am Strande, at which northern shore is the port. Even in GDR times was the port city a major hub for coasters. Since 1990 it took a radical change. The port area was developed as a tourist attraction and service centers and maritime facilities were build. From the harbour, you have a wonderful view of the Marienkirche.
Also interesting is a visit to the southeastern historical town centre. Well visible is the Nikolai Church. Well worth seeing is the so-called Kuhtor, the oldest gate in Mecklenburg. 
It was once the main gate of the city to the south, but was used only after completion of the Steintor to drive cattle out and therefore received its name. On the Kuhtor again begins part of the city wall. A small path along the wall currently being restored. It leads to the so-called Lagebuschturm, an octagonal tower in the style of the Dutch Renaissance.
Because of the still continuing bad weather, we did not continu our tour of the city further, but went to the Rosa Luxembourg Street back to the station. Along the road there are many excellent renovated late nineteenth century villas.
Conclusion: Warnemünde and Rostock are absolutely worth the trip! The two cities are restored and offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Even although the bad weather during our visit were a lot of tourists on the spot. In fine weather, we might well have seen more of Rostock. The price level is a lot below the one in Western Germany and the people were very friendly.
