SURROUNDINGS
A land of dreamlike beauty
Brandenburg has had its share of nicknames, from "sandbox of the Empire" to "Fontane's hiking dorado" to "Berlin's bacon belt". Although such epithets naturally contain a grain of truth, they fail to do justice to a region that has evolved into a haven of scenic tranquillity – an oasis for the spirit and the soul.
Attractions in the immediate environs of Gut Klostermuehle include the highly reputed riding stable and Schlaube Valley Nature Park, whose deep forests and romantic river valley, boasting many still intact mills, is perfect for hiking in an almost untouched natural setting. Also nearby lies Neuzelle, a town noted for its baroque monastery and the oldest still-operational brewery in Brandenburg. Its products include a smooth Schwarzbier (black beer), a cherry beer, and unique "bathing beer."
A place of interest of national scale is Bad Saarow situated on the province's largest inland lake, the well-known Scharmuetzelsee. This health resort presents itself as a classic spa town, complete with promenade, mansions, a park and the much-visited thermal baths fed by an 38°C warm spring. Other sights worth visiting include Oderbruch, Beeskow with its lovingly restored Old City clustered around the castle, and the cathedral town of Fuerstenwalde.
