Founded in 1793 as a retreat for Duke Friedrich Franz I of what today is Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Heiligendamm was known as the White City by the Sea for its cluster of 23 chalk-color buildings.

FORBES: Bloc Haus

The fact that the gunmen came by sea - and sneaked into the city through a crowded fishing colony - points to almost non-existent coastal police patrols, as a local officer admits.

BBC: 'Rot' at heart of Indian intelligence

It is opening up a resort city where temperatures reach 40C in summer, and will be as warm as 10-15C by the sea when the Olympics take place from February 7-23 next year -- with organizers already stockpiling snow due to sporadic falls, Black says.

CNN: February 8, 2013 -- Updated 1159 GMT (1959 HKT)

Commuters recently disgorged by the city train crowd around the sunny tables outside to share fried delicacies - hake, snoek, calamari - straight from the sea.

BBC: The perfect trip: South Africa