If you think that Berlin is grey, barren, and consists mostly of concrete, think again! In fact over 40 percent of Berlin is green space, as biologist and city nature guide Robert Ulrich, Brandenburg native, tells you at the beginning of his bicycle tour in the lively Nikolai quarter. It quickly becomes clear that you don’t always need to leave the city in order to experience nature close up: At our first stop we learned that the Museumsinsel actually sits on marshland, at the second, in front of the North Korean Embassy, we discovered beautiful Chinese trees that blossom in the urban summer heat, concluding at the final stop in Tiergarten that Berlin’s wilderness is much more multifaceted than we thought. Robert showed us in a humorous way that one only has to take a closer look in order to discover hundreds of wild birds, insects and plants – you have to hear his imitation of the hooded crow! And another thing becomes clear during the tour: nature is everywhere and always finds a way – just get on your bike and go on an urban voyage of discovery! (Text: Hanna Komornitzyk / Photos: Johanna Rademacher–Flesland)

Isn’t it time to take your weekly yoga session outside? There is so much awaiting you in Berlin and neighboring Brandenburg, so here are three of our favorite locations for the most scenic classes. Do you yearn for a Mediterranean vibe in the countryside? Then the class in the garden of the Schloss Belvedere in Potsdam, which takes place every second Sunday in summer, is just right for you (they even have singing bowls!) And for anyone who craves a little adventure, challenge yourself to some Stand-Up Paddling Yoga, offered every Tuesday evening at the jetty of the sailing school in Rummelsburg – it’ll keep you balanced in every sense of the word. And for a more meditative emphasis with a sophisticated ambiance and an especially beautiful view, join one of the classes on the roof terrace of the Hotel de Rome, offered on Sunday mornings by Spirit Yoga. Wherever you choose to bring your yoga mat, there’s no better way to achieve summer contentment. (Text: Hanna Komornitzyk / Photos: Hotel de Rome & Spirit Yoga, Segelschule-Rummelsburg, @rosalie.imi)

Freiluft-Yoga am Belvedere: Belvedere Pfingstberg, Neuer Garten, 14469 Potsdam; map
Sun 11.08. & 08.09. 10h30–12h
Stand-Up Paddling Yoga in der Rummelsburger Bucht: Bootsclub Rummelsburg e.V., Zillepromenade, 10317 Berlin–Rummelsburg; map
April–Sept, Tue 19–20h
Spirit Yoga auf dem Dach des Hotel de Rome: Hotel de Rome, Behrenstr.37, 10117 Berlin-Mitte; map
Jun–Sept, Sun 9–10h