Germany

Rugen Island, Germany's largest island, lies at the country's northeast corner surrounded by the chilly waters of the Baltic Sea and stunning seascapes that are part of the western reach of the Polish-German "Pomeranian Coast." The sunny isle is named for an old Slavic tribe known as the Ranen, which possibly means "The Reds," for the color of their hair. Their land eventually became known as the Rugard. But modern-day Germans simply call it "The Baltic Gibraltar."

Bremen is the second largest seaport in Germany and over the years became well known to Americans, as the North Germany Lloyd Steamship Company operated a transatlantic line between Bremen and New York City. The shipping line was established in 1857 and had a good reputation among Americans traveling to Europe. The City of Bremen, founded in 765 A.D., is situated on the Weser River about 30 miles upstream from the North Sea. Bremen was a member of the powerful Hanseatic League, which controlled northern Europe from the 13th to 15th centuries.