„A holiday on the beach turned children‘s dreams into reality. Each time we set off, I was so excited, looking forward to escape from the noise of the city with the summer holiday at the seaside. Here everything was different: Mum and Dad were relaxed, in a good mood and they had plenty of time for us. The variety of activities along the promenade and on the beach made you forget all your daily cares. One of my biggest dreams was to sit outside on a loggia belonging to one of the majestic villas, sipping tea while wearing a long white dress, and being looked upon with admiration by the ladies and gentlemen passing by.”

„I can still clearly remember the Emperor Wilhelm Children’s Home in Ahlbeck. Built at the request of the emperor, it served as a recreation centre for children from working-class families in Berlin.
Strolling further along the promenade, you reach the former bath houses (today’s town hall). In those days, huge bath tubs used to be filled with sea water specially transported from the Baltic Sea. The use of sprinklers was a special treat for us children.

Standing on the promenade, I looked at the Ahlbecker Hof, a hotel modelled on a castle. With its five stars today, it continues to be the best hotel in the resort. Together with the former Junkersche Hotel, it has probably continued to be the most fascinating example of Seaside Resort Architecture in Ahlbeck right up until the present day.
The first hotel that Albert Wendicke built in Ahlbeck can be found in the Seestraße. I can still remember the impressive outside staircase. Today, this building houses the hotel and restaurant "Meereswelle". The square in front of this hotel is named after Johann Christian Koch, to commemorate the man who started bathing pursuits.“

„When we were visiting Heringsdorf, in those days called „Beauty on the Baltic Sea“, our stroll always began at the Weißes Schloss, the hotel located higher than all the others, with a stunning view towards Bansin and out over the Baltic Sea. In 1820, Bernhard von Bülow, the then owner of a manor, had this hotel built as the first lodging house. Along Kulm, we pass the Villa Fontane, where the famous author resided and enthused: ‘… there are quietude and fresh air, both of which act as wonders filling the nerves, blood and lungs with a quiet bliss…’

Further along my way, I hoped to see the Kaiserhof Atlantik, the most representative assembly rooms in all seaside resorts at that time. At the turn of the century, these assembly rooms were the place where social life took place. It was here that nobility and aristocracy met. The impressive structure vividly reminds you of the palace hotels on the Riviera. Nowadays, a rehabilitation clinic and a spa hotel are to be found here. I very much envied my friend Elisabeth for being allowed to spend her summer at Residenz Bleichröder. The villa, built in neo-baroque style, always looked like a fairy-tale castle to me. In the middle of a well-tended garden and more beautiful than ever, it is a feast for the eyes.“

„In Bansin, I loved the walks to Langer Berg and the inn where we always got some sweets. From Langer Berg you had a fantistic view over the sea into the distance, with ships passing on the horizon. Looking out from the steep coast made you tingle with excitement.
I will always remember the majestic villas in Bergstraße, one more beautiful than the other. Still today, I stand in front of them in admiration. A popular place to visit was the traditional Café Asgard, which was run by Winterstein, a well-known supplier to the court.
Today the Tropenhaus is interesting and worth visiting, it's a tropical zoo with exotic plants and animals; the Hans Werner Richter Haus, which used to be the fire station, and the commemorative studio of Bansin painter Rolf Werner are also not to be missed out on. The versatile programme of the Haus des Gastes, which I also liked very much, includes readings of literature, talks and changing exhibitions.“

„My mother always used to lodge in fishermen’s houses together with her parents, brothers and sisters. We stayed in different summer accommodation and sometimes also in guesthouses. Today, Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin are three seaside spa resorts exhibiting unmistakable charm. Lodgings can be sought not only in restored hotels, villas and guesthouses, but also in modernly-equipped holiday flats, holiday homes and cosy B&Bs.“

Already in the past, the three seaside resorts were not only known as recreational resorts, but also as first-class health resorts. Apart from the positive effect of the sea and climate, there is another local remedy, the Heringsdorf iodine brine. A number of therapies and health programmes are on offer at certified wellness hotels, the "OstseeTherme" Usedom and in other facilities.

„Enjoyment – what a great word! Today everything is available in abundance. In those days, however, we were delighted when we got get a piece of cake or chocolate on Sundays from time to time. My mother was always happy when she could have a cup of good coffee. Well, times have changed. Yet, back then you could also feast. I remember Uncle Franz’s big party. Everybody was festively dressed and the food was of the finest: soups, roast meat, vegetables, potatoes, and ice cream for dessert, later to be followed by coffee, cake and hot chocolate for us children.“