Tucked at the north-eastern border of Berlin in the province of Brandenburg is the small town of Panketal.
What is great about this town is that it is very accessible for travelers. To discover the area, hop on a bicycle and hit the road. There are nine different bicycle paths in and around the town, each giving you a different view.
For example, one tour goes to the Chorin Convent via the banks of the Oder River and Finow Canals. Another tour is called the Ice Age Tour and is the longest at 132 kilometers. In this tour you go past the sea and moors through forests and hills.
Going with kids to Germany might slow you down, but if you travel to Panketal, you can always take a breather at the zoo in Eberswalde (about 41km or 25mi away). Of course, it is nothing like the zoos in Berlin, but it isn’t going to be as crowded either, giving you a relaxing afternoon.
You probably won’t get to go up and actually use it, but another big draw to the area is the high wire climbing area. This is one of those obstacle courses high up, where groups learn about team work and conquering their fears. It’s one of the few that are open in Germany and really interesting even if you just watch.
Craving for a bit of culture since you left Berlin? You don’t have to travel all the way back there to get a dose of it. The Panketal Gallery will give you a taste of a local artist, whether it be in painting, sculpture, photography or any other medium.
You probably can get in and out of the town in one day, so unless you are doing a long bicycle tour of the area, you probably won’t need a place to stay. If you do, check out Leo’s. Not only do they have delicious German home cooked food, but they have rooms (and vacation apartments) as well.
