Germany Weekend 2010

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Spreewald

The Spreewald (Spree forest) is a unique landscape in Europe. It is situated 100 km south-east of Berlin in the Lausitz region and has a size of about 48.000 hectares. In 1990, it was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

The morphology of the landscape is mainly a consequence of the low stream gradient of the river Spree. It was shaped during the Weichsel glaciation when the Spree accumulated a large periglacial alluvial fan. During the Holocene the river deepened and created a wide floodplain, which gradually turned into a bog due to a rise of the groundwater level and frequent flooding.

Alder forests on wetlands and pine forests on sandy dry areas are characteristic for the region. These swamp forests (Bruchwälder) and the river Spree gave the Spreewald its name.

The Spreewald is the perfect location for having a geography seminar as it offers many interesting physical and human geographic subjects. We particularly want to look into the conflict of interests between tourism, agriculture and nature conservation. Although the “Spreewald tourism” is primarily nature-oriented, it is justified to question its environmental sustainability. We are going to discuss this and hope to come up with possible solutions.

The Hostel

Youth Hostel Lübben

We will stay at a youth hostel in the town Lübben. The hostel is situated off the beaten track next to the woods and directly at the riverside of the Spree. The excursions as well as the evening program will take place outside. Because of that we do not provide a party room. It is important that we do not disturb the neighbourhood and we must avoid trash at our stay.

This does not mean that we will do nothing at the evenings. Instead of a party weekend we will make campfire and we will have some evening activities outside, p.e. the election of the gherkin queen and the gherkin king and off course the BDC. If you have musical instruments like a guitar or anything else, bring it to the event please.

Address:
Jugendherberge Lübben
Zum Wendenfürst 8
15907 Lübben

How to get there...
Arrival in Cottbus:

click here for a map of the local area

You do not have to worry how to get to the small town Lübben, because we will meet in the larger city Cottbus on Friday.

There are direct train connections from Leipzig (ca. 2 h), Dresden (ca. 2 h) and Berlin (ca. 1.30 h) to Cottbus. Check your train connecitions here

By car you have to take A13 (Berlin – Dresden) and then change to A15 at the “Dreieck Spreewald” (which is next to Lübbenau).

It’s not very ecological to take the plane, but if you really want to: the next airports are Dresden (ca. 85 km) and Berlin (ca. 110 km).

Arrival in Lübben:

Please notice: Due to construction works the direct train line Berlin – Lübben – Cottbus is not in service during the GermanyWeekend, i.e. you can reach Lübben only by rail replacement service. The direct trains Berlin – Cottbus are redirected on another way.

After the city excursion in Cottbus we will go (by train and rail replacement service) to our hostel in Lübben togehter. If you want to go there with your car, it’s about 50 kilometers.

In Lübben we have to take a walk of about 3 km from the train station to the youth hostel, but we will care for your luggage.

Departure from Lübbenau:

The Germany Weekend will be closed after the punt tour in the town Lübbenau. From Lübbenau it takes you 22 min to Cottbus (by train) and 1:52 h to Berlin (by rail replacement service and train), the motorway A13 is around the corner.

Gherkin Weekend

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