Moin, Moin ("have a good day")...is the way people greet each other in Ostfriesland. Here in the far north-west of Niedersachsen, endless vistas invite the visitor to relax and enjoy an active holiday experience. Whether cycling past innumerable windmills or savouring a cosy cup of tea - you too will enjoy the Ostfriesland way of life!

Tea - the National Drink of Ostfriesland

Outside, the storm is blowing from the north-west. Wind strength 7, driving the tangled white clouds before it. Now is the best time to enjoy the national drink of Ostfriesland. Tea in the Ostfriesland style not only brings comforting warmth. It is at the same time both stimulating and relaxing. A trip to the tea country of Ostfriesland is well worthwhile to get to know proper Ostfriesland tea-drinking and the history of tea - here the tea-pot is never allowed to go cold.

Ostfriesland - Land of Rollerbladers and Cyclists

Smooth asphalt stretching to the horizon isn't often lauded as a special attribute for a holiday area. In Ostfriesland, with its austere Frisian landscape, Wadden Sea and good healthy Nordsee air, we do so with a clear conscience. It's a real paradise for rollerbladers and cyclists. Glide along the dikes, race the black and white cows along the edge of the road or stop for a cup of traditional Frisian tea or a Jever pils.

You can even explore Ostfriesland's rollerblading and cycling country luggage-free. And the best of it is, that there's a hire bike waiting for you each morning in the hotel. So depending on how you're feeling, your preference and the weather, you can choose whether you cover the roughly 30 kilometer of the day's stage on rollerblades or on the saddle of a bicycle.

A combined rollerblading and cycling holiday is perfect if rollerbladers and cyclists want to take a short break together, allowing both to pursue their favourite sport! The Ammerland region offers excellent opportunities for rollerblading fans - the asphalt surface of the innumerable little traffic-free minor roads is great for the joints. In the completely flat landscape, experienced rollerbladers can really get up speed, whilst the beginners and groups can work on their condition at a more relaxed tempo. Ammerland rollerbladers have tested the 720 kilometres of cycle ways for rollerblade friendliness. The result is the new Rollerbladers Guide with a 500 kilometre network of rollerblading routes and 7 suggested touring routes.

Parklands of Ammerland - a Symphony in Green

There's a piece of paradise in every garden. Ammerland in north-west Niedersachsen is filled with beautiful gardens and parks, such as you'll find almost nowhere else. Man and nature truly blossom here.

There are a huge variety of splendidly colourful parks on show to visitors from all over the world. The varied natural landscape has over the centuries developed into a unique park landscape. Set into this background are numerous gardens which impressively demonstrate the fine art of traditional and modern gardening culture. The horticultural centre, for example, which in 2002 shone as the site for the first Niedersachsen country garden show and which enchanted almost a million visitors in just six months. "Leaf" through the "Park der Gärten" and enjoy the various epoques of garden culture in professionally designed themed gardens.

International Dollard Route

The International Dollard route is a 180 kilometre long circular bicycle route, well signposted in both directions. The stretch of land around the Dollard on the German-Dutch border has an austere beauty. The peace and quiet of large areas of undiluted nature really has to be experienced. The route winds through land reclaimed from the sea and sleepy little villages and towns which have retained their natural beauty.

• More about the International Dollard Route

Wadden Sea National Park

In the Wadden Sea, the water ebbs and flows twice a day, in a six hour cycle. Giving rise, between Den Helder in the Netherlands and Esbjerg in Denmark, to a 10,000 square kilometre large wetland, the like of which is found nowhere else in the world. In order to protect this natural landscape on Niedersachsen's North Sea coast, the area was made a conservation area in 1986. The 288,000 hectare Niedersachsen Wadden Sea national park covers the tidal flats between the rivers Ems and Elbe, including the East Friesian islands lying just off the coast.

• More about the Wadden Sea National Park

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