The oases of horticultural art in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - from imposing to graceful, from fairytale-like to magnificent - invite you to explore, linger and enjoy.

„The flowers make the garden, not the fence“ – at least that's how the German saying goes. If you go in search of the green paradises between the Baltic Sea coast and the lake district in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, you will realize that it is not only plants and flowers that make the gardens of our federal state, but also elegant palaces, exotic spices and fine cafés. Five categories, hundreds of places and countless impressions … We take you on a sensual expedition of the natural kind, where green thumbs, architectural gourmets and connoisseurs of cultural and culinary delights get their money's worth at any time of year.

For many years now, garden lovers across the country have been keeping their garden gates wide open in June and September. There is a great variety to experience in more than 120 open gardens: from perennial gardens to cottage gardens, rose gardens and herb and water gardens. What could be more relaxing than enjoying a delicious home-baked cake and coffee in the midst of a flowering gem on a cozy early summer's day? In some gardens, you can even buy works of art or plants and accessories for sale.

In addition to the "open gardens" series of events, other events take place in public gardens with art, music and gastronomic offerings.

We want to begin our legendary journey in the pomp and splendor of the state palace gardens of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. If you follow in the footsteps of the local dukes, landgraves and princes, you'll soon be in awe - the time-honored buildings with their beautifully landscaped gardens are considered magnificent testimonies to the eventful history of our federal state. In addition to the world-famous palace complexes such as Schwerin, Ludwigslust or Güstrow, it is often the more regionally known gems - e.g. Wiligrad Palace on the steep banks of Lake Schwerin - that amaze visitors and are sometimes still considered real insider tips. If you look into the history of the British royal family, you will also notice that Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has a very special connection to the royal part of the island: Queen Charlotte was born in the Mecklenburg Lake District in the 18th century and left her royal footprints in Mirow Castle Gardens.

The next stop on our tour of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's greatest places of longing is both educational and decelerating in every respect: learning by feeling, hearing, smelling, seeing and touching is the motto - and at the same time the invitation to join in - in our botanical gardens and sensory gardens. The desire for discovery is at the heart of these sophisticated garden projects, which are designed to arouse the curiosity of their visitors through various objects and stations. But that's not all: once again, it shows that consciously experiencing nature, its silence and its sounds can reduce stress and that exercise in the fresh air has a positive effect on people's health. Physical health paired with mental fitness - garden lover, what more could you want?

If you want to make your trip to the countryside even rosier, a visit to the numerous rose gardens in Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania is highly recommended. Speaking of hearts – we are not the only ones who can't imagine a more idyllic (or romantic) place to meet up with your loved one in the country than an enchanting garden full of colorful flowers and heavenly fragrances…

During our eventful journey through the wonderfully green paradises of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, culinary delights should of course not be neglected - and we have well and truly earned this little break. Coffee and cake, tea or something heartier? No wishes are left unfulfilled here, because in the picturesque garden ambience it tastes best in the fresh air anyway. Regionality, seasonality and individuality are particularly important in the country's garden cafés, with the famous alphabetical palette of high-quality food ranging from local apple pie to homemade plum jam. Trying and tasting is highly recommended!

At the end of our journey, we visit the monasteries and herbal gardens of our federal state, which have always been true treasure troves of traditional herbalism and medicine. Influenced by the spirit of the Middle Ages, these well-preserved testimonies of days gone by have been a widely appreciated source of inspiration for a healthy lifestyle for many generations. In addition, a leisurely stroll through the lovingly tended gardens offers a welcome opportunity to leave the fast pace of everyday life behind for a few moments and immerse yourself in the world of medicinal, useful and ornamental plants, which is well worth seeing.