June 21st – July 4th 2014
Bremen – Magdeburg - Berlin
A fortnight* bike and barge tour
through Germany with MS Merlijn
*It is also possible to book only one week of this tour, either the first (June 21st – 28th
from Bremen to Magdeburg) or the second week (June 28th – July 4th from Magdeburg to
Berlin)
From the Bremen Town Musicians
to Magdeburgs Golden Rider Statue
Following in Theodore Fontane’s footsteps
Exploring the cradle of the Prussians:
Cities and landscapes in the March of Brandenburg.
Experiencing culture – enjoying nature
Bicycle tours of 30 – 45 km per day
Day 1, Saturday: Bremen - Verden (Weser River)
Embarkment at 4PM (Merlijn sails 5PM) in the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen.
Moorage of Merlijn: at the Schlachte Weser River Boardwalk/Weser River.
We will welcome you with a complimentary drink and information on the trip
program and the boat and we will introduce you to our crewmembers.
Before and after dinner you will have the opportunity to visit the city of
Bremen. Merlijn will be moored within only a short walking distance of the
famous Schnoorviertel.The Schnoor, the oldest city quarter of Bremen,
consists of a Medieval network of passageways. Take a stroll around the
market square with its Roland statue and the famous statue of the Bremen
Town Musicians – Bremen’s most famous attraction and best-known landmark
situated in the town center. The Roland statue faces the St. Petri Cathedral,
where you can visit the Cathedral Museum and the lead cellar (Bleikeller).
Next to the Roland Statue you will find the City Hall. Both the Roland Statue
and the City Hall are UNESCO World Heritage monuments.
At 5PM Merlijn motors the Weser River upstream for about 1.5 hrs to Verden.
You will enjoy the scenery of the Weserbergland already. After dinner you
may want to stroll through the equestrian city of Verden along the Aller River,
the mecca of the Hanoverian horse, a world-famous and powerful German
warm-blood breed of horse.
Well worth seeing in Verden are the historical old city center along the Aller
River with its pedestrian area Große Straße, the Gothic Dome in Verden, a
hall church with a nave and two side aisles built in the 13th and 15 th century.
The Cathedral Quarter at the Lugenstein with its bars, the town hall, the
Domherrenhaus (Cathedral Chapter House), the vintage train and much more.
Day 2, Sunday: Verden – Hoya – Nienburg (Weser River)
Today our bicycle tour will start in Verden and we will follow the Weser
Cycling Route, one of the most popular German cycling routes. Not only
because of the impressive landscape of the Weser Hills (Weserbergland), but
even more because it is one of the best bikeways of Europe. In Hoya, the city
of earls, along the Mittelweser River you can follow the tracks of the famous
Earl of Hoya during a stroll through the historical city center. Nienburg was
documented as early as 1015 and offers many places of interest, like the
Asparagus Well (Spargelbrunnen), the Whinnying Stallion, the bronze statue of
the Magic Bayard Horse (Ros Bayard), the 14th century City Hall and the
parish church St. Martin, the main church of the city and the town’s landmark
due to its impressive 72-meter tower!
Day 3, Monday: Nienburg – Stolzenau – Minden (Weser River,
Midland Canal)
We continue our tour along the Weser Cycling Route from Nienburg to
Stolzenau, crossing a beautiful and varied landscape. Untouched nature for as
far as you can see. In the Weser Hills you can discover and experience nature
at its best. In Stolzenau you will board the Merlijn again and we will continue
our journey to Minden. Today you will experience one of the highlights of this
trip: the Wasserstraßenkreuz (Aquatic Interchange), where the Midland Canal
crosses the Weser River via a 13-meter high aqueduct. We will pass through
the impressive River Weser Lock where the Merlijn will be raised for 13
meters right up to the Midland Canal. Our overnight stay will be in Minden
along the Midland Canal.
Day 4, Tuesday: Minden – Sachsenhagen - Hannover
(Midland Canal)
We will start the day of with a beautiful boat trip over the Mittelland-CanalBridge over the Weser River up to Sachsenhagen. Here begins today’s bicycle
tour towards Hannover, passing the Natural Preserve Steinhuder Lake. From
Hannover you will continue your daily tour by boat up to Hannover, where we
will spend another night on the Midland Canal.
Day 5, Wednesday: Hannover - Braunschweig – Wolfsburg (Midland Canal)
We will cast off quite early today. During breakfast the Merlijn will take us to
the city of Braunschweig, where today’s bicycle trip will lead us to Wolfsburg.
Tonight you will enjoy your dinner in one of the many restaurants in Wolfsburg,
we will stay here overnight.
Day 6, Thursday: Wolfsburg – Haldensleben (Midland Channel)
After breakfast we offer our guests a collective Guided Tour in the Autostadt
Volkswagen, which will take about 45 minutes. After that it’s up to you to
decide whether you would like to visit more sites. You will start your bike tour
approx. 1PM to Haldensleben where we will stay overnight.
Day 7, Friday: Haldensleben – Magdeburg
Today’s route will follow the Midland Canal and the Elbe River. Close to
Magdeburg the Merlijn will pass the Sparschleuse (water-saving lock) en will
be lowered 20 meters to enter Magdeburg on the Elbe river. Magdeburg is the
capital of the German federal state of Saxony-Anhalt and was documented as
early as 805. The city is well known because of its important historical
heritage as the royal palace of the Emperor Otto the 1st, the first Emperor of
the Holy Roman Empire, who was crowned in 962. Enjoy this city in our
modern time and visit all the different attractions: Magdeburg Cathedral, the
first cathedral designed and built in the Gothic architectural style on German
ground and one of the largest churches in Germany, the Old Market and the
Golden Rider Statue, a bronze copy of the first self-supporting statue of a
rider north of the Alps, which can be found right in the heart of the city
center. It was created in the year 1240 and presumably portrays the Emperor
Otto I. Don’t forget to visit the old City Hall, the Green Citadel, the
Hundertwasserhaus and many more places of interest. Last dinner and
overnight stay on board the Merlijn in Magdeburg.
Day 8, Saturday - Magdeburg
After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to Merlijn and its crew.
Departure and possible transfer.
Or start your second week from Magdeburg to Berlin
Moorage of Merlijn: Elbe promenade in Magdeburg
After check-in at 4PM we will start our program off at 5PM with a welcome drink, the
introduction of our crew and information on our boat, the trip and our bicycles.
Followed by dinner and a stroll around town.
Day 9, Sunday, Magdeburg – Burg - Genthin
After breakfast you will Magdeburg a little more and afterwards the bike tour will start
to Burg. Before you leave Magdeburg itself, admire the famous Magdeburg Water Bridge,
where the ships on the Elbe-Havel Canal cross the Elbe on a navigable aqueduct. In the
city center of Burg there are 1055 years of history to be admired. The churches along
the Romanesque Road, such as the Lower Church St. Nicolai (12th century) and the
Upper Church “Unser Lieber Frauen” (13th century) will catch your eye from afar.
Definitely worthwhile is a long stroll through the old historical center in this “City of
Towers”. After your visit to Burg you will board the Merlijn here and together we will
join the Merlijn gently floating along the Elbe-Havel Canal to Genthin. Genthin’s
governing mayor calls his town “The Pearl along the Canal“, a nice, friendly, and quiet
town with a small historical city center.
***If the water level on the Havel river is not too high or shallow we can sail the Havel
and you will bike along this charming, beautiful river. We will inform you on board
accordingly. We will then arrive at Brandenburg the next day, as the original itinerary.
Day 10, Monday, Genthin - Brandenburg
Today you will take your bicycle through two different German federal states: SaxonyAnhalt and Brandenburg. Your start for today will be in Genthin. Just to the north of
Genthin you will find Altenplathow, a city along the Romanesque Road. This well-known
Romanesque Road is a popular touristic road which runs through all of Saxony-Anhalt. It
is part of the cultural route Transromanica, which runs through Germany (the federal
states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia), Italy (the provinces of Modena, Parma and
Ferrara), Austria (the state of Carinthia) and Slovenia. In 2006 the Transromanica
received the “European Cultural Road” award from the Council of Europe. In GenthinAltenplathow there is a 12th-century figural gravestone, one of the very limited number
of Romanic figural tomb slabs in this district that have been well maintained. Biking to
Brandenburg you will drive along the cycle path “Tour Brandenburg“, which will lead
you along the western side of the Havel Lake Plateau. Here Merlijn will take the
northern route from the Elbe-Havel Canal along the lower Havel Waterway and the
Silocanal up to the Havel. Your bicycle tour will take you through endless forests with
numerous “green” views. Tonight you will stroll already through the city of
Brandenburg, the cradle of the March region.
Day 11, Tuesday, Brandenburg – Werder - Potsdam
First we will discover the city of Brandenburg on the Havel River. Here we find three very
special city cores: the historical old city center, the new city center and Dome Island,
where the Merlijn will be moored. Well worth seeing in Brandenburg are the St. Nicolai
Church, one of the oldest witnesses of the art of brick building in the Brandenburg
district, the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the most important building of the city, where
the first diocese east of the Elbe was founded, the old town hall, an outstanding example
of late Gothic brick architecture from the middle of the 15th century, and the beautiful
local brick tower, the Steintorturm. This defense tower, which is 32.5 meters tall, is the
only one of the four defense towers in Brandenburg that is open to public visitors. The
impressive panorama from the roof over the entire historical city center should definitely
be on anyone’s “to-visit” list. After this visit we will start our biking tour to Werder.
Before we will cross the Havel on a ferryboat, we will travel along spacious lowlands and
small “märkische” villages (villages in the typical March style) with timber-framed
buildings. Shortly after the picturesque fishing village of Ketzin we will approach Paretz
where Queen Louise enjoyed her summer resort as well in the local castle as in Paretz
Park. We continue our trip to Marquardt and the insular city of Werder, the city of
blossoming trees, the end of today’s bike tour. Werder is surrounded by innumerable
lakes and tributaries of the Havel River. Strolling around Werder will lead you to water
almost everywhere. It will not take long before you reach the Schwielowsee, Glindowsee,
Big Plessower See and Zernsee as well as the Havel River itself.
Absolutely unique is the heritage protected silhouette of the historical city centre. From
Werder we sail together to Potsdam, the provincial capital of the Brandenburg province.
Our boat will be moored within only a short walk from the city centre. Tonight you will at your own expense - discover the regional cuisine in one of the many restaurants of the
city.
Day 12, Wednesday, Potsdam – Berlin Spandau
Potsdam is without any doubt one of the most beautiful cities of Germany. Potsdam’s
best-known attraction is Sanssouci Castle. In addition to this former summer residence
of Friedrich the Great with its famous Sanssouci Park there are many other interesting
attractions that are certainly worth a visit. The historical city quarters, the Russian
colony Alexandrowka, the Dutch Quarter and the former Bohemian Weaver Quarters
exude the atmosphere of a city heavily influenced by Europe. Today we will follow the
European Cycling Track over the Glienicker bridge, along the Havel River through
Berlin’s municipal Grunewald forest and up to Spandau. Spandau is one of the twelve
boroughs (Bezirk) of Berlin. It is the fifth and westernmost borough, situated at the
confluence of the Havel and Spree rivers and along the western bank of the Havel. In
the evening you will have plenty of time for a nice city stroll through the streets of
Spandau. According to the harbor authorities it might be possible we will be sailing to
Berlin Mitte and stay overnight there.
Day 13, Thursday, Berlin
Captain Henk will start this day with a breakfast boat cruise to the city of Berlin if we
haven’t arrived there the night before already. Enjoy your breakfast and the vivid
panorama during a two-hour cruise to Berlin Mitte, where your bicycle tour will start to
Tegel or in the surroundings of Berlin. You also might want to spend your day in Berlin
sightseeing this great city.
Berlin is the most exciting of all German cities and one of the most fascinating capitals
in the world. There is no other place where art and culture, museums and theaters,
entertainment and nightlife are as varied and exciting as in this metropolis on the Spree
River. After the German reunification, the so-called “Wende”, Berlin developed into a
lively, fast, exuberant and cosmopolitan city in only a few years. Discover Berlin
yourself and visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Gedächtniskirche), the Holocaust
Memorial, the famous Brandenburg Gate, the beautiful avenue Unter den Linden, the
Friedrichstraße, the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie or one of the numerous museums.
There are so many things to see and discover.
Day 14, Friday – Berlin - Spandau
During breakfast we will sail to Berlin Spandau and at 9AM, unfortunately, it will be
time to say goodbye. Departure and a possible transfer.
Today is not forever,
We’ll meet again, no doubt.
Included in your trip 14 days Bremen – Magdeburg - Berlin:
13 nights of accommodation, 13 times breakfast buffet, 11 times lunchboxes, 11 times three
course dinners
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and ice water free of charge
Use of a 7-speed bike, including bike bag, water bottle and universal sized helmet
Services of a tour guide
Fees for harbors, bridges and locks
Daily cabin cleaning service
Welcome drink
Route information
Ferry fares en route
Not included:
Insurances
Inbound and outbound journey and transfers
Organised city tours
Drinks other than mentioned
Entrance fees, excursions
Special Rate per person:
€ 2.030 in a double room
Included in your trip 8 days Bremen - Magdeburg:
7 nights of accommodation, 7 times breakfast buffet, 6 times lunchboxes, 6 times three course
dinners
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and ice water free of charge
Use of a 7-speed bike, including bike bag, water bottle and universal sized helmet
Services of a tour guide
Fees for harbors, bridges and locks
Daily cabin cleaning service
Welcome drink
Route information
Ferry fares en route
Not included:
Insurances
Inbound and outbound journey and transfers
Organised city tours
Drinks other than mentioned
Entrance fees, excursions
Rate per person:
€ 1.125 in a double room
Included in your trip 7 days Magdeburg - Berlin:
6 nights of accommodation, 6 times breakfast buffet, 5 times lunchboxes, 5 times three course
dinners
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and ice water free of charge
Use of a 7-speed bike, including bike bag, water bottle and universal sized helmet
Services of a tour guide
Fees for harbors, bridges and locks
Daily cabin cleaning service
Welcome drink
Route information
Ferry fares en route
Not included:
Insurances
Inbound and outbound journey and transfers
Organised city tours
Drinks other than mentioned
Entrance fees, excursions
Rate per person:
€ 1.085 in a double room
Payment:
20% of the charter price at the time of definite reservation, approving
the program
80% 1 month prior to starting cruise date
Cancellation
fee:
If the cruise is cancelled
until 6 months prior to starting cruise date 20%
between 6 and 4 months prior to starting cruise date 50%
between 4 and 1 month prior to starting cruise date 80%
between 1 month and 1 day prior to starting cruise date 90%
at the day of starting cruise date or later 100%