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Home > Germany > Berlin Bike & Barge
Duration
8 days
Activities
  • self guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 7 nights barge
Meals
  • 7 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Price

$1690USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: UBE

Trip highlights

  • Cycling through a changing landscape from the bustling city of Berlin through forests and rural landscapes to the Baltic Sea
  • Experiencing the coastal resort towns on the Baltic Sea islands
  • Exploring the Polish town of Szczecin and the Lower Oder National Park
  • Soaking up the hospitality onboard the comfortable barge MS Princess

Discover parts of Germany few travellers ever see when you journey by barge and bike from Berlin to the Baltic Sea. Leaving the busting city of Berlin having explored the museums, historic sights and streetscapes at your leisure on foot, we set off through the vast forests in the north by bike. The first sail brings us through the Oder-Havel Canal, passing through Oranienburg and Eberswalde. The peaceful and unique landscape of the Oder river will continue as we head towards Poland. En route we cycle through the 'Lower Oder Valley National Park', a unique nature reserve on the border of Germany and Poland. We cross the border by boat staying overnight in Szczecin, one of the largest ports on the Baltic sea, with time to visit the castle in the city's historic centre. The boat will cross the Bay of Szczecin as we head back into Germany and continue cycling towards the gothic city of Stralsund. During the week long tour discover the varied flora and fauna of these unique fluvial landscapes, baroque castles, and northern German seaside resort towns. The comfortable barge will be our home for the week, where you can enjoy stunning views while sitting on the sundeck as we sail down the Oder River.

Trip Grading

introductory to moderate

More info about grading system

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On arrival in Berlin, make your way to the boat which will be moored in central Berlin, with boarding commencing from 4:00PM. We recommend you take some time to explore the sights of this interesting city such as a stroll on the Kurfürstendamm, a walk through the Nicolai Quarter on Spree Island or visit the Brandenburg Gate. There are numerous museums and historic sights to visit not to mention the excellent shopping and nightlife. Dinner on board the boat where you will share a welcome drink with your fellow cyclists.

Meals:  D

The well-marked bike route meanders northward through the Ruppin sea area to Oranienburg. We recommend you take the time to visit the Baroque castle with its park, museum and orangery. From here you'll board the boat and cruise to Eberswalde. In the heart of the city, in the Finow Canal, you'll find the oldest working lock in Germany which has been a technical monument since 1978.

Meals:  B,L,D

Initially the cycling today passes through the splendid landscape on the Treidel bike route along the Finow Canal, passing by forests, glades and small hills in the direction of the Niederfinow boat lift. Here you will find the oldest working boat lift in Germany elevating boats to manage the 36m/118ft difference of the waterway. It is possible to do a tour of the boat lift (not included) before you continue to Hohensaaten. There you will get back on board and cruise to Schwedt or if you are keen to cycle you can cycle this section (add: 32km/20mi). A guided walking tour through Schwedt can be arranged (optional - not included - allow approx EUR6 per person payable locally).

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you will bike through a part of a unique, cross-border nature reserve, the “Lower Oder Valley National Park”, then on to Gartz and Mescherin, where you will board the boat. Continue by boat to the Polish city of Szczecin, the green city on the mouth of the Oder and one of the largest ports on the Baltic Sea. The reconstructed castle of the dukes of Pomerania situated in the city’s historic centre is worth seeing. A guided walking tour through Szczecin can be arranged (optional - not included - allow approx EUR9 per person payable locally).

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is spent on board the boat, a good opportunity to rest your cycling legs and take in the changing scenery from the sun deck. After one last narrow passage, the boat will arrive in the expansive waters of the Bay of Szczecin (Oder Lagoon). After the crossing, you will reach Wolgast, on Usedom Island and situated on the river Peenestrom. The island is connected to the mainland via the Bascule Bridge. The Medieval historic centre with its town hall and the Church of St. Petri are interesting sights to visit.

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning you will bike through Zecherin and Karlshagen Harbour to Peenemünde where there is a historical/technical museum in the former power plant. In good weather conditions you may cycle the 'beach route' via Trassenheide and Zinnowitz. In Peenemünde you will get back on board and sail at 6:00PM to Lauterbach in the southeast of Rügen Island, arriving at 9:00PM (times subject to change).

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning don't miss a visit to the nearby Putbus with its well-known circus. Classical buildings line this circular “square”, where all the streets converge. The Circus, market place (Marktplatz) and town hall, orangery and former royal stables (now a theatre), were all renovated after 1991 creating a uniformly white styled town. Continue to Garz, Groß Schoritz (the birthplace of Ernst Moritz Arndt), Poseritz and Gustow with its well-known village church over the Rügen Dam to Stralsund, where the boat will meet you. The city's Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its old market square, ornate houses of various eras (Baroque, Patrician) and the imposing St Nicholas Church. Take the time to stroll through the historic heart and perhaps have a coffee or beer in one of the many bars and cafes.

Meals:  B,L,D

The trip concludes after breakfast around 9:00AM, disembarkation and individual departure from Stralsund.

Meals:  B

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On arrival in Stralsund, make your way to the boat for boarding from 4:00PM. The city's Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its old market square, ornate houses of various eras (Baroque, Patrician) and the imposing St Nicholas Church. Take the time to stroll through the historic heart and perhaps have a coffee or beer in one of the many bars and cafes.

Meals:  D

After breakfast you head off on your bikes, taking quiet roads through Stralsund over the Rügen Dam to Gustow with its well-known village church, then past Poseritz, Groß Schoritz (the birthplace of Ernst Moritz Arndt) and Garz to Putbus. Don’t miss a visit to Putbus with its well-known circus. Classical buildings line this circular “square”, where all the streets converge. The Circus, market place (Marktplatz) and town hall, orangery and former royal stables (now a theatre), were all renovated after 1991 creating a uniformly white styled town. Then it’s off to Lauterbach in the southeast of Rügen Island where the boat will be moored. The boat departs at 6:30PM for Usedom Island arriving at 9:30PM (times subject to change).

Meals:  B,L,D

There is plenty of time to explore Usedom Island today. In the morning the boat sails to Peenemünde located where the Peene empties into the Baltic Sea, in the northwestern part of Usedom Island. During WWII it was an important base for bomb production and was later occupied by the Soviets. It is worth visiting the historical/technical museum in the former power plant. Leaving the town you cycle past Karlshagen Harbour and Zecherin before reaching Wolgast, on Usedom Island and situated on the river Peenestrom. The island is connected to the mainland via the Bascule Bridge. The Medieval historic centre with its town hall and the Church of St. Petri are interesting sights to visit.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is spent on board the boat, a good opportunity to rest your cycling legs and take in the changing scenery from the sun deck. Across the expansive waters of the Bay of Szczecin (Oder Lagoon) the boat docks at the Polish city of Szczecin, the green city on the mouth of the Oder and one of the largest ports on the Baltic Sea. The reconstructed castle of the dukes of Pomerania situated in the city’s historic centre is worth seeing. A guided walking tour through Szczecin can be arranged (optional - not included - allow approx EUR9 per person payable locally).

Meals:  B,L,D

During the morning the boat travels from Szczecin to Mescherin where you start your cycle. The route takes you past Gartz then through a part of a unique, cross-border nature reserve, the “Lower Oder Valley National Park”, before finishing at Schwedt. A guided walking tour through Schwedt can be arranged (optional - not included - allow approx EUR6 per person payable locally).

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning the boat cruises from Schwedt to Hohensaaten. The route takes you to the Niederfinow boat lift. Here you will find the oldest working boat lift in Germany elevating boats to manage the 36m difference of the waterway. It is possible to do a tour of the boat lift (not included) before you continue to Oderberg. Continuing on you cycle through the splendid landscape on the Treidel bike route along the Finow Canal, passing by forests, glades and small hills before arriving in Eberswalde. In the heart of the city you'll find the oldest working lock in Germany which has been a technical monument since 1978.

Meals:  B,L,D

The day starts with a cruise to Oranienburg, where we recommend you take the time to visit the Baroque castle with its park, museum and orangery. You will begin cycling on a well-marked bike route which meanders southward through the Ruppin sea area to Berlin. Later, take some time to explore the sights of this interesting city such as a stroll on the Kurfürstendamm, a walk through the Nicolai Quarter on Spree Island or visit the Brandenburg Gate. There are numerous museums and historic sights to visit not to mention the excellent shopping and nightlife. A final dinner on board the boat will be enjoyed with your fellow cyclists.

Meals:  B,L,D

The trip concludes after breakfast around 9:00AM, disembarkation and individual departure from Berlin.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners - breakfasts are buffet style consisting of breads, cereals, cheese, meats, fruit, yoghurt and breakfast beverages. Picnic lunches are assembled at breakfast time. Dinners are 3 courses served in the dining room. Special diets may be catered for on request (e.g. lactose-free and gluten-free diet) however there will be an extra fee (payable locally). Please advise us at the time of booking or at least 21 days prior to departure. If necessary, some special dietary supplements may need to be brought with you.
  • 7 nights accommodation aboard a Comfort barge in twinshare cabins with ensuite facilities on main deck cabin (supplement applies for other categories of berths on main or upper deck). The compact cabins are configured with two lower beds. We do not match travellers together so if you are travelling solo you will need to book a single cabin (limited and on a request basis - supplement applies).
  • Information pack including route notes & maps per cabin. Plus navigational app access (smartphone required)
  • Cruise director on board - does not cycle with the group, provides daily briefings
  • Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
  • All harbour, lock and bridge fees
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Linen and change of towels as required
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to and from Berlin / Stralsund
  • Drinks other than afternoon tea and coffee on board
  • Upgrade to a cabin on upper deck or single cabin - supplement applies
  • Helmet - mandatory on all bike tours, you are encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. No hire facility is available, you may be able to purchase from bike shops locally.
  • Entrance fees and excursions not specified, optional activities such as guided walks
  • Transfers not specified
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Tour guide - this is a self guided tour
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo (single use of a twin cabin)
  • Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend around EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the cruise director, captain and crew).
  • Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for lactose or gluten free diets - EUR25pp (subject to change) paid locally on board. See below for further details regarding catering for dietary requirements.
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc.

Cabins

MS Princess

Lower Deck Twin Cabin

All cabins are about 10.5 m2 in size, have a shower and toilet, hair dryer, phone, Sat.-TV, safe (for a fee) and central A/C (the windows on both decks cannot be opened). The two separate beds can be turned into a sofa and seating area during the day. Four of the lower deck cabins can be converted to triple occupancy.

MS Princess

Upper Deck Twin Cabin

The upper deck cabins are configured the same as the lower deck cabins. A supplement applies for upper deck cabins.

Bike information

Electric Bike

An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies, see below.

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 12 years and a minimum height requirement is 148cm / 4ft10in.

7 Speed Bike

Bicycles provided are 7 speed touring bikes with bike rack, panniers and repair kit and handbrake and/or backpedal brake. Helmets are not supplied locally but are mandatory on all bike tours, so you will need to bring your own well-fitted helmet.

Grading

introductory to moderate  

INTRODUCTORY TO MODERATE - GRADE 2 The cycling is introductory to moderate (2) grade with daily cycling distances from 15 to 48km/9.5 to 30mi. You will mostly be cycling on car-free trails, rural country roads with little traffic and asphalted bike lanes but also on dusty field paths and dirt roads, with a few short sections on federal highways. The routes are mostly flat with some hilly parts, although there will be a few steep inclines and downhills. Should you not wish to cycle you are welcome to relax on board. Electric bikes are also available and should be pre-booked. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets be worn during cycle sections.

Departure dates


Notes

IT1
Trip begins in Berlin.
IT2
Trip begins in Stralsund
Note:
The 3rd bed of the triple share cabin is a fold-out Pullman bed (capacity is max. 70 kg)

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$1690USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount for twin share main deck cabin - front and back of boatUSD$-103
  • Electric bike (limited and must be booked in advance)USD$150
  • Upper Deck twin cabin SupplementUSD$290
  • Single supplement - main deck only (single use of twin cabin)USD$350
*Prices listed are per person

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