Geiseltalsee: Emerged from the coal

That is the advantage of a "recultivation" project that has been planned for such a long time: When an opencast mine like the Central German lignite mining area is turned into a local recreation area, the wishes of all potential users are taken into account.

Everyone has really been thought of here: Where only a huge hole in nature remained after the closure of the open-cast lignite mine in 1993, today a lake lies in the sun that could hardly be more beautiful and idyllic: 18.4 km² measures the Geiseltalsee in Saxony-Anhalt - the largest artificial lake in Germany. And the best news: Nothing about the lake, which is up to 87 meters deep acts artificial.

It is framed by three 14-meter-high observation towers, a 28-kilometer-long asphalt bike path leads around the lake - but it can also be jogged or walked, depending on the sporting ambitions of its users. Furthermore, a maritime harbor awaits boat owners and their crews; bicycle rentals, harbor office, boat school, wellness center - everything that is fun in and around the water is available at the Geiseltalsee. Including a beer garden, of course, which rounds off the swimming experience at the end of the day.

Bonus: For the very first time, a vineyard is located at an open pit lake - for which the courageous winemaker Lars Reifert was awarded a future prize for the most innovative vineyard. So you really ought to try it...

By the way, you can find tips on how to travel comfortably and inexpensively on long-distance and local trains with Deutsche Bahn here.