Sassnitz lighthouse on Rügen island, Germany

© Christian Back/eStoc

A frozen sentinel. Sassnitz lighthouse, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

This winter wonderland is Rügen, Germany's largest island. From the iconic chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park to sandy beaches, the island provides a diverse landscape for nature enthusiasts to revel in. Many artists have come here in the past to give free rein to their creativity. The chalk cliffs inspired one of Germany's most famous painters—Caspar David Friedrich. Pictured here is Sassnitz lighthouse, a maritime beacon that has guided sailors through the Baltic Sea since its establishment in 1905. Though ice may be covering the shore, the lighthouse still stands, frozen as over, shining a light for ships to sail by.