IFA International 2019 Week-End Edition

© Thomas Keller
HOSPITALITY / RESTAURANTS / BARS
CLUBS / EVENTS / SHOPPING / CULTURE
Where stunning lake scenery meets
history and architecture
Peace and calm just a short journey from the city
Visiting the lakes to the
southwest of Berlin is a
refreshing and sometimes
surprising change for those
accustomed to the pace of the
city. Just 20 minutes’ drive or a
short S-bahn ride from the IFA
show grounds, the Wannsee
district is made up of a
collection of lakes surrounded
by historic mansions. Many
of these stunning villas were
built in the latter 1800’s in the
early years of the Wilhelmine
Empire as very stately
summer abodes. Many have
been inhabited by the rich and
famous from around the world
over the past century.
A good way to start a visit
to Wannsee is at the Sansouci Restaurant,
a short walk from the station right next
door to the villa of the infamous Wannsee
Conference. It’s a lovely place for a whitelinen
lunch either with a large group or têteà-tête,
with good German food and service
with wine or beer. The view of the lake is
splendid.
From Wannsee you can enjoy an
approximately two-hour tour of the
Wannsee: lakeside calm just 20 minutes outside Berlin
gorgeous Havel Lakes, venturing beyond
Little Wannsee to Pohlesee, Stölpchensee,
Griebnitzsee, Glienicker Lake, Jungfernsee
and over the Havel, then back to Wannsee.
You can then relax on the beach or enjoy a
walk into the picturesque wilderness areas
along Wannsee and Oberhavelsee, to see
where the painter Max Liebermann or the
dramatist Heinrich von Kleist lived and
worked.
© Bestbubi
If you wish to finish the day here,
head to the Clubrestaurant
am Wannsee im MYCvD. This
beautiful restaurant at the
Wannsee Lake shore in the yacht
club has excellent food and drink,
wonderful staff and superb
service, not to mention a great
view. As it is inside the yacht
club, visitors need to ring at the
gate to be buzzed in.
Alternatively, if you want
something a little more relaxed,
try the Loretta am Wannsee
beer garden – a shaded and
very pleasant place right in the
heart of Wannsee, with excellent
German food, and – well, you
guessed it – beer. Prices are
very reasonable. A little tip, however, is
that if you have an aversion to wasps, it can
sometimes be a challenge as there can be
quite a few here looking to snack on your
plate!
You will come back from Wannsee culturally
enlightened and with memories of
stunningly beautiful scenery.
www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Saturday 7 th & Sunday 8 th September 2019
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