Germany can be a confusing country, especially when you’re trying to find your way around from town to town. Imagine the frustration of looking for the town of Bad Saarow, only to find out it belongs to the Amt Scharmützelsee (a Collective Municipality) — and it’s known as Zarow by anyone speaking Lower Sorbian.
Whatever anyone wishes to call it, nothing changes the fact that Bad Saarow is quite famous throughout the region for its wonderful thermal springs. The water’s been known for its healing properties for many years, although Saarow didn’t get its “Bad” title until the early 1920s.
FYI, if you really want the best spa experience, there’s a golf & spa resort in the village of Silberberg. Eighteen holes of golf? A spa treatment or two? Oh, I knew where I was going after visiting places like the village church in Neu Golm…
Yes, a 15th century church comes before the massages. And I wasn’t missing out on seeing the 13th century village church in Reichenwalde, either. OK, I might have been distracted by the lovely Storkower See that’s nearby.
As for being out on the water, Bad Saarow is along the banks of the Scharmützelsee. A ferry ride around is a great place to clear away the chaos of a harried mind — then again, the peacefulness of Dahmsdorf’s 13th century village church did the same thing.
I get the fact not everyone loves the water, so I’m gonna tell you there’s a forested area around Marienhöhe, located less than two kilometers from its north shore. The old farm buildings are a window to a long-gone time, but also make for terrific photo opportunities.
Also not too far off the water are hiking trails through the town of Wenisch Rietz. There was the chance to do some canoeing around the area — but I was off looking for the Bronze Age burial mounds while dreaming about the spa.
Hey, don’t judge. ;-)
