The Isle of Hiddensee lies to the west of the Isle of Ruegen is not only a wildfowl paradise but also boasts on the west and north coasts some of the finest sandy beaches in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Visitors can reach the island in their own boat or the ferry from Stralsund and Schaprode/Isle of Ruegen. Hiddensee is only 18km long with a charming and unique landscape and a surprisingly varied of flora and fauna. It has an impressive coastline with woodland, heath, moors and salt marshes. This natural area has belonged to the National Park "Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft" since 1990. Visitors soon forget their everyday problems in these surroundings and for good reason: There is no private motor traffic or mass tourism here. Prominent artists and scientists discovered the peace and quiet of the island long ago. Among them were Albert Einstein, Lion Feuchtwanger, Sigmund Freund, Thomas Mann, Joachim Ringelnatz and the writer Gerhart Hauptmann who settled in the monastery in 1930. His house, "Seedorn" has been a monument since 1956. The Island Heritage Museum is also worth a visit for its wealth of information on the history of the island. Pay us visit and you will learn why the islanders and their long standing guests call this island "dat soete Laenneken" (the sweet little land).