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Discover parts of Germany few travellers see when you journey by barge and bike from Berlin to the Baltic Sea. Leaving the bustling city of Berlin having explored the museums, historic sights and streetscapes at your leisure (on foot), set off through the vast forests in the north by bike. The first sail takes us through the Oder-Havel Canal, passing from Oranienburg to Eberswalde. The peaceful and unique landscape of the Oder river will continue as we head towards Poland. En route you will 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 and stay overnight in Szczecin, one of the largest ports on the Baltic sea, with time to visit the castle in the city's historic centre. We continue across the Szczecin lagoon back into Germany at Zinnowitz then cycle towards Stralsund, once a prosperous member of the medieval Hanseatic League. 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 your home for the week, where you can enjoy stunning views while sitting on the sundeck as we sail down the Oder River.
The trip operates in reverse every other departure.
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105kg of CO2-e PP per day
(732kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Berlin
On arrival in Berlin, make your way to the boat which will be moored in central Berlin. Embarkation is at 4:00pm. We recommend exploring the sights of this interesting city, such as a stroll on the Kurfürstendamm, a walk through the Nicolai Quarter on Spree Island or a visit the Brandenburg Gate. There are numerous museums and historic sights to visit, not to mention the excellent shopping and nightlife. Welcome drink and dinner on board.
Meals: D
Day 2
Cycle to Oranienburg, cruise to Eberswalde (42km/26.3mi)
Today you will explore the expansive forests of the Ruppiner Lake District on your first cycling tour by following mysteriously interconnected waterways. The well-developed cycle path leads you northwards and away from the metropolis to Oranienburg. The palace in the heart of the city is one of the most significant Baroque buildings in the country, and the adjacent palace park invites you to linger. Here, you board the boat and we cruise to Eberswalde. The Eberswalde city lock in the heart of the city is the oldest operational lock in Germany.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Cycle to Hohensaaten, cruise or cycle to Schwedt (33-65km/20-40mi)
First you ride along the towpath alongside the Finow Canal, through beautiful landscapes, passing forests, clearings, and small hills towards Niederfinow with its impressive boat lift (Schiffhebewerk Niederfinow). 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 continuing your ride. At Hohensaaten you re-board the boat and we cruise to Schwedt. Or if you wish to take the longer route, continue by bike through the crane resting area of the Auen national park from Hohensaaten to Schwedt (approx 32 km/20mi).
Day 4
Cycle to Gartz/Mescherin, cruise to Szczecin on the River Oder (28km/17.5mi)
Today you will bike through a part of a unique, cross-border protected area “Lower Oder Valley International Park” via the Oder-Neisse Cycle Path. The former estate of Criewen houses the National Park Centre of Germany's only floodplain National Park. On reaching Mescherin, you board the boat and cruise to Szczecin (Poland). Known as the green metropolis at the mouth of the Oder River, Szczecin is one of the largest ports on the Baltic Sea. Noteworthy is the castle of the Dukes of Pomerania located in the old town.
Day 5
Relax on board as the boat crosses the Bay of Szczecin to Zinnowitz
Today is spent on board the boat, allowing you the 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 we arrive in Zinnowitz. There will be an opportunity for an evening stroll between "Achterwasser“ and the Baltic Sea in one of the most beautiful seaside resorts.
Day 6
Choice of cycle routes to Peenemünde, by boat to Lauterbach (15 or 25km/9.5 or 15.6mi)
Today, you have a choice of cycle tours. You can either ride through Mölchow and Zecherin, passing by the Usedom Distillery (highly recommended!) to Peenemünde, with time for a visit to the Historical-Technical Museum. Or you can opt for the bike tour with a short detour to the Baltic Sea. The beach route takes you to the seaside resorts of Trassenheide and Karlshagen, inviting you to bathe at the fine sandy beach. Around 6.00pm we will leave Peenemünde by boat to Lauterbach in the southeast of the island of Rügen (arrival around 9.00pm).
Day 7
Cycle through villages en route to Stralsund (48km/30mi)
This morning don't miss visiting the nearby Putbus (approx 2km) with its well-known circus. Classical buildings line this circular “square”, where all the streets converge. Your bike tour today will take you through Putbus, Garz, Groß Schoritz, 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. As a city with an important past, a stroll through the historic centre, which is situated on an island, will take you past numerous exceptional sights.
Day 8
Trip concludes in Stralsund
The trip concludes after breakfast, with disembarkation by 9:00am.
Meals: B
Arrive Stralsund
On arrival in Stralsund, make your way to the boat for boarding at 4:00pm. Time permitting, take a stroll through Stralsund’s historic centre, which is situated on a small island. As a city with an important past, you will see numerous exceptional sights. Welcome drink and dinner on board with your fellow cyclists.
Cycle via Gustow and Putbus to Lauterbach, by boat to Peenemünde (44km/27mi)
After breakfast you head off on your first cycle tour, taking quiet roads through Stralsund over the Rügen Dam to Gustow with its well-known village church. Continue past Poseritz, Groß Schoritz (birthplace of Ernst Moritz Arndt) and Garz to Putbus. Don’t miss a visit to Putbus' well-known circus. Classical buildings line this circular “square”, where all the streets converge. Then it’s off to Lauterbach in the southeast of Rügen Island where the boat will be moored. The boat departs at around 6:30pm for Peenemünde on Usedom Island, arriving at around 9:30pm.
Cycle Peenemünde to Zinnowitz (15-26km/9.3-16mi)
Today you have plenty of time to explore the Usedom Island. There is a choice of 3 cycling tours. Take the opportunity in the morning to visit the Historical-Technical Museum in the former power plant or plan a visit to the Usedom Distillery in Mölchow (highly recommended!). In good weather, we recommend the bike tour through Trassenheide and Karlshagen combined with a refreshing swim in the Baltic Sea. Afterwards, cycle to Zinnowitz, one of Usedom's most famous and beautiful seaside resorts. Situated between the Baltic Sea and Achterwasser, the town is surrounded by beech, oak, and pine forests, and the white, gently sloping sandy beach invites you to relax.
Relax on board as the boat crosses to Szczecin
Today is spent on board the boat, an 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.
Cruise to Mescherin then cycle to Schwedt (28km/17.5mi)
During the morning the boat crosses from Szczecin to Mescherin, the start point for today's cycle. The route takes you through a section of the unique cross-border protected area called "Lower Oder Valley International Park" via the Oder-Neisse Cycle Path before reaching Schwedt, your destination for the day. Along the way, you'll encounter the former estate of Criewen, which offers you the opportunity to visit the National Park Centre of Germany's only floodplain National Park.
Cruise to Hohensaaten then cycle to Eberswalde (33km/20.5mi)
In the morning we cruise from Schwedt to Hohensaaten. The cycle route then takes you to the Niederfinow boat lift (Schiffhebewerk Niederfinow). 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). Continue by bike through the splendid landscape, passing by small hills, glades and forests – the last section will be on the Treidel bike route along the Finow Canal – to Eberswalde. In the heart of the city, in the Finow Canal, is the oldest working lock in Germany.
Cruise to Oranienburg, cycle via the Ruppin Sea area to Berlin (42km/26.25mi)
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. The cycling begins on a well-marked bike route which meanders south through the Ruppin sea area to Berlin. Later, take some time to explore the many sights of this interesting city. You can stroll on the Kurfürstendamm, 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. Enjoy a final dinner on board with your fellow cyclists.
Trip concludes in Berlin
The trip concludes after breakfast with disembarkation by 9am.
What's included
What's not included
Main Deck Twin Cabin
Cabins are approx 10.5 m2 in size, except two 'eco comfort' cabins at the front of the boat which are about 11.5m2. All have a shower and toilet, hair dryer, phone, Sat.-TV, safe (for a fee) and individually controlled air conditioning. Windows cannot be opened. The two separate beds provide storage space underneath for luggage. Above the beds are storage cabinets for your personal items. A small built-in wardrobe with hanging and storage options is also available.
Upper Deck Twin Cabin
The 7 upper deck cabins are configured the same as the lower deck cabins. The panoramic windows can be opened. A supplement applies for upper deck cabins.
Bicycles provided are 7 speed touring bikes with bike rack, panniers and repair kit and handbrake and/or backpedal brake. Helmet rental is not included but they are mandatory on all bike tours, so you will need to bring your own well-fitted helmet, or available (limited quantity) for purchase onboard.
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.
GRADE 2 - the daily cycling distances are from 15 to 48km/9.5 to 30mi. The cycling is on varied terrain: mainly 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. In parts there are cobblestones and sandy ground, which will slow you down. It is mostly flat with some hilly parts, although there will be a few steep inclines and downhills. Electric bikes are available and should be pre-booked if required. Should you not wish to cycle you are welcome to relax on board. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. There is not an age restriction for children on this trip however travellers should be aware that there is no program for children and no small bicycles on board, you will need to bring your own bicycle, and be responsible for them at all times. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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