Inside One of the Largest Water Parks in the World

"If you're looking for a tropical getaway, Germany likely doesn't come to mind. But about 45 miles south of Berlin, you'll find an unexpected vacation destination. Here, visitors can lounge on sandy beaches in balmy temperatures and splash about in warm waters, even in the dead of winter. The secret? It's all indoors. Housed inside a former airship hangar, Tropical Islands is a beach-themed water park that needs to be seen to be believed."

"But now, its vast interior, which stretches 1,181 feet long, 688 feet wide, and 351 feet high, is an indoor water world, with attractions for kids and adults alike. Inside, you can do everything from play mini golf and take dive lessons to zoom down the tallest indoor waterslide in Germany. The tropical sea, which is the size of three Olympic pools and sits under a clear roof to let in the sunshine, boasts water playgrounds and a kiddie area."

Housed inside a former airship hangar about 45 miles south of Berlin, Tropical Islands occupies over 710,000 square feet and maintains indoor temperatures around 79 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The dome spans 1,181 feet long, 688 feet wide, and 351 feet high and contains a tropical sea the size of three Olympic pools under a clear roof, water playgrounds, and a kiddie area. Attractions include the tallest indoor waterslide in Germany, mini golf, dive lessons, a flamingo-filled rain forest with roughly 50,000 plants, a smaller beach-bordered lagoon with waterfalls, accommodations, dining, shopping, and a large spa.

Read at Travel + Leisure