Sylt is one of those places which disunites some people, a place where the saying "love it or leave it" is true but not appropriate. Everyone has to love the island for the same reasons. It´s simply one of the prettiest nature settings Germany has to offer. On barely 100 square kilometers Sylt is as diverse as a northern setting could be. Beaches, dunes, heather and serene little villages. But to some the serenity becomes overstretched and gets a fake touch. When old authentic villages become small catwalks for the nouveau-riche and the vanity driven, when narrow roads become a show strip for the completely useless, overpowered SUVs, when century-old farming and fishing communities are transformed into showcases for rich doctors and lawyers from Munich or Düsseldorf. The good thing: there is space for everyone, and "normal" folks can have their way as well. Even though local infrastructure planning is brown-nosing toward the wealthier clientele and prices for almost anything are up because of it, there is still a fair amount of down to earth tourism.

Above all nature is protected and a great effort is being undertaken for the protection of the fragile ecosystem and the storm-battered coastlines. Hiking paths along the beaches or through the heather bring all people into a mode of relaxation, regardless of their background or origin. Nature works as a mediator between the tourist classes and between tourists and locals. 

Here´s a walk we took through the heathland called Braderuper Heide, near the east coast tidal flats.

Schleswig-Holstein Gallery