Northern Light

	Hornum Beach, Sylt

For the seasoned traveler wanting to find a novel vacation spot that brings the true meaning of the word getaway to life, there is a place: the German island of Sylt.

Germany's hidden haven is unknown to many -- not all Germans have visited, and few Americans have ever heard of it. But Sylt is well worth the trip, as it's exclusive without being snooty and secluded but not difficult to get to.

Thomas Coss, a native of Bochum, Germany, who made his first trip there in June 2005, says, "There are tons of Germans who have never even gone to Sylt. I've heard of it and have always wanted to come here, so [it was] a very special moment for me."

Located in the North Sea and the largest of the Frisian island chain -- which runs from the west of Denmark south to the Netherlands -- Sylt is a 24-mile long, 1,800-foot-wide ribbon of sand and sea.

In the 12th century, Sylt was part of Jutland (today, Denmark and northern Germany). Political and cultural fluctuation between the German and Danish spheres lingered until 1435, when the entire island was ceded to Germany.

The island served as a military outpost during World War I, and concrete bunkers were built below the countless number of sand dunes in World War II, when it became a fortress. ...