1. The landmark of Cottbus is Spremberger Turm, a 31 metres high red-brick tower located along the south end of pedestrianised Spremberger strasse. This atmospheric 300 metres street, lined on both sides with restaurants and commercial buildings leads northwards towards the Altmarkt, a huge reconstructed square ringed with an impressive ensemble of Baroque 18th-century houses.

2. The parklands southeast of the centre are the city's most valuable jewel. Spreeauenpark, bordered from its west edge by the banks of the Spree is the ideal place for family outings, leisurely walks and summer picnics. Magnificent avenues lined with old trees and wild shrubs, a rose garden shaded by a picturesque wooden trellis and a pond covered with water lilies add to the natural beauty of the place. Spreeauenpark leads south towards Tierpark, a forested area with water canals that provides a home for more than 1,000 animals. East of Tierpark, the Furst-Puckler Park is definitely the highlight of the city's green areas. Atmospheric tree-shaded walkways, grass-covered pyramids, garden gazebos, artistic statues and a historic castle-palace provide enough attractions for a full day tour amidst impressive areas of natural beauty.

1. On reaching Cottbus, the street names displayed at every street corner on ornamental wall tablets in two languages will definitely strike your attention. One language is obviously German; the other is Sorbian, a language closely related to Polish. If you want more information about this language and the development of the Sorb culture, visit the interesting Wendisches Museum at Muhlenstrasse 12.

2. If your time here is limited to just 1 day, it's impossible to walk through all the parks and still find time to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds you. However, you can get a vague orientation of this vast green area by taking a trip on the nostalgic Pyramid Express, a narrow-gauge train that runs 3kms across the parks from north to south. There are five stations along the route; stop at any station you prefer, soak in the atmosphere and then continue on another train.

3. Staying overnight gives you the opportunity to stroll at leisure along the parks during the day and enjoy the Old Town atmosphere after sunset. Even during the high season you will easily trace out a room in one of the numerous hotels in the city.

1. Hourly trains to Cottbus depart from Berlin Lichtenberg, the capital's east station. Some trains also depart from Bahnhof Zoo before continuing through Lichtenberg. Tickets and information can be obtained from the BVG kiosk on Hardenbergplatz in front of Zoo station. The 115kms trip takes 90 minutes.

2. Cottbus is just 53kms northeast of Dresden but there are no direct trains from Dresden's Hauptbahnhof to Cottbus. However, from the Hauptbahnhof, you can take the frequent train to Dresden's Neustadt station (10 minutes) from where the regional train RE18 reaches Cottbus in about 1 hour.

3.The town's train station is southwest of the city centre. When you exit from the station, walk north on Bahnhofstrasse, cross the bridge over the train tracks and continue north until you reach Karl-Liebknecht-strasse. This road soon leads towards the south end of Spremberger strasse, the centre's main artery. Alternatively, from the adjacent bus station, take Bus 11 which runs northwards and passes close to the Tourist Office on Berlinerstrasse and the Altmarkt. From Gorlitzerstrasse south of the bus station, you can also take Tram 1, 2, 3 or 4; all these pass through the Old Town.