Self-Guided

Self-Guided: Daily: April 1 to October 31, 2010
Parties of 2 or more

Self-Guided: €869

Day 1: Arrival in Hamburg
Hamburg has more bridges than Venice and is Germany's musical- and show-town number one. Almost every evening you can see a life performance in high quality. Hamburg is also the second largest port city in Europe. Don't miss the opportunity to take part in a roundtrip by boat. You will get an impression of Hamburg harbour seen from the water with its huge ocean liners and container terminals.

Day 2: Hamburg - Lauenburg approx. 55 km/34 miles
Most of the time you will cycle along the Elbe riverbanks. After leaving the metropolis you will pass a calm area with small villages. Lauenburg is an old skipper's town with a lot of beautiful restored half-timbered houses from the 16th and 17th century.

Day 3: Lauenburg - Hitzacker approx. 55 km/34 miles
You will pass through an unique landscape called "Wendland" which is characterized by a special form of settlement - the round villages. The landscape is flat and dominated by huge floodplains. They are a paradise for birds like storks, sea eagles or cranes.

Day 4: Hitzacker - Wittenberge approx. 78 km/49 miles
Recreative hours in untouched nature will define your cycling day. Only from time to time you will pass through dreamy villages. Wittenberge with its numerous towers can already be seen from a distance.
*** If this leg is too long for you, we can split it into two legs. Please ask for your individual itinerary.***

Day 5: Wittenberge - Havelberg approx. 38 km/24 miles
We recommend to make a break in the town Ruehstaedt. It is known for its big stork population. Every year in spring time about 70 storks turn back from their winter time overseas to live on roofs, pylons or towers. Havelberg is another round village with half-timbered houses. Do not miss the Romanesque cathedral.

Day 6: Havelberg - Tangermünde approx. 50 km/31 miles
Today the Elbe river cycle path takes you to Tangermuende. By walking through the town you will discover the traces of 999 years of history. The most impressive building is the 24 meter high town hall with its opulent decorated front created in the 15th century.

Day 7: Tangermünde - Magdeburg approx. 75 km/47 miles
Milestone of this cycling day will be the famous monastery of Jerichow. Short before Magdeburg you will pass by the impressive and technical challenging construction of the waterway junction - a gigantic building project to connect the waterways of Hannover, Magdeburg and Berlin. Magdeburg itself is a very beautiful town where you can discover history and modern art.
*** If this leg is too long for you, we can split it into two legs. Please ask for your individual itinerary.***

Day 8: Magdeburg - Barby approx. 40 km/25 miles
Between Magdeburg and Barby you will cycle across another biosphere reserve along the river Elbe giving home to lots of vulnerable species of birds. Sometimes you can even see a beaver.

Day 9: Barby - Dessau approx. 38 km/24 miles
With Dessau you will enter a town which played an important role for a new architecture style including a whole life philosophy occurred in the 1920s, the so called "Bauhaus". The Bauhaus Building, the Masters' Houses in Dessau and the Garden Realm Dessau-Woerlitz are part of the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage.

Day 10: Dessau - Wittenberg approx. 33 km/21 miles
This leg will take you through the beautiful meadows of the Elbe and past the world-famous Woerlitzer Park and Gardens. The 100-hectare large park offers numerous attractions including islands, canals, temples and statues. Today you will be staying in Wittenberg, a town which became famous through Martin Luther.

Day 11: Wittenberg - Torgau approx. 72 km/45 miles
Your journey continues to Torgau, a Renaissance town with the beautiful castle Hartenfels. The palatial church is known as the first Protestant church of Germany and which was dedicated by Martin Luther.
*** If this leg is too long for you, we can split it into two legs. Please ask for your individual itinerary.***

Day 12: Torgau - Strehla/Riesa approx. 40 or 48 km/25 or 30 miles
Today you will be cycling through the town of Belgern, the only town in Saxony which owns a Roland statue. Next stop will be Riesa, the city of sports. The town is also famous for its pasta production. In the transparent noodle centre you can gain an insight into the modern food production at the second biggest German pasta manufacturer. On the way you will be enjoying the enchanting rural atmosphere of the Elbe town of Strehla.

Day 13: Strehla/Riesa - Meissen approx. 36 or 28 km/23 or 18 miles
Today’s tour will take you along the picturesque wine villages located along the Elbe river, especially Diesbar-Seußlitz. From far away you can already see the landmark of the city of Meissen: the impressive castle hill with the cathedral and the Albrechtsburg castle. A visit to the world-famous Meissen porcelain factory is also a must. In the evening you should enjoy a good wine as you are in the heart of one of the smallest yet most distinguished wine-growing regions of Germany.

Day 14: Meissen - Dresden approx. 30 km/19 miles
Next you will be cycling to the city known as the Florence of the Elbe, Dresden, which is beautifully located along the Elbe valley. Whether the famous Zwinger, the Semper Opera or the Court Church – a tour of the former royal residence by bicycle will take you past many sites.

Day 15: Departure from Dresden
You can of course always extend your trip with extra nights in Dresden. We will be pleased to arrange additional accommodation for you.

(back to top)