Self-Guided/Guided

Self-Guided: Saturdays from May 14 - September 10, 2005
Guided: June 4, 11; July 9, 23, 30; August 13, 20, 27

Self-Guided: €540
Guided: €749

Self-guided tour:
Day 1 - Arrival: Warsaw – Krutyn
Individual arrival in Warsaw (if you travel by car, you can travel directly to Masuria). At 11.00 o'clock the hotel Europejski is meeting point for all Masurian-guests. After a short city tour by bus transfer to Krutyn in Masuria (approx. 220 km).

Day 2 - Masurian nature park – Krutyn
Your first cycling day introduces a part of the vast forest of the Johannisburg heather (Piska native forest) to Wojnowo (Eckertsdorf), with the opportunity of visiting the Philippon monastery. In Russia of the 17 th century the reformation of the Russian-orthodox church was not acknowledged by a big number of faithful Christians. These “infidels” were expatriated and named “Philippones” founded their most important village Eckertsdorf. Accommodation in Krutyn. (approx 45 km, 27 miles)

Day 3 - Krutyn (Kruttynia) – Mragowo (Sensburg)
Today we start with a cajac tour on the most beautiful river of Masuria, the river Krutynia. In the afternoon we cycle on the northern Mragowo, our destination of today. Opportunity to visit the birth house of the masurian poet Ernst Wiechert. (approx 40 km, 24 miles)

Day 4– Round about Mragowo (Sensburg)
This trip stands under the motto „back to the past“. There are still regions in Masuria, bringing us back into the 19th century. On this trip through a quiet and remote area you experience pure undisturbed nature. Accommodation in Mragowo. (approx 50 km, 30 miles)

Day 5 - Holy Linden Tree – Ketrzyn (Rastenburg)
Today you visit the important pilgrim church “Holy Linden Tree” with the famous organ by Jusua Mosengels. After that you proceed to Reszel (Horses), a small town with singular atmosphere deriving from a medieval bishop-fortress. Next destination is Ketrzyn. The fortress of the German Knight-Order with the huge walls and the gothic brick church St. George invite you to a sightseeing tour. Accommodation in Ketrzyn. (approx 45 km, 27 miles)

Day 6 - Ketrzyn – Wolfsschanze – Ketrzyn
Only 8 km east of Ketrzyn the old Nazi headquarters-East in Gierloz, the so called Wolfsschanze is situated. On the way to Ketrzyn opportunity to visit the Masurian Museum in Owczarnia. Afterwards free time for a city stroll. Accommodation in Ketrzyn. (approx 25 km, 15 miles)

Day 7 - Ketrzyn – Gizycko (Lötzen) – Mateuszek
In the beginning the tour brings us to Sztynort (Steinort). Here you can visit the old ruin of the castle Lehndorff. By bicycle via Ryn back to Mateuszek or optional by boat from Gizycko with the “White Fleet” (fare not included). (approx 55 km, 33 miles)

Day 8 - Mateuszek – Nikolaiken – Mateuszek
By bike on to Nikolaiken. On your way you pass the lake Luknajno. Watch the wild swans inhabiting this well known natural reserve. In Nikolaiken enough time remains for a city tour or watch an interesting film about Masuria before World War II. Cycling back to Mateuszek. (approx 40 km, 24 miles)

Day 9 - Warsaw and departure
V In the morning bus transfer to Warsaw. Arrival at about 1 pm. Opportunity to visit the market place and the old town. Individual departure or extended stay in Warsaw. The overnight train leaves Warsaw at about 8.00 pm.

Guided tour:
Day 1 - Arrival
Individual arrival in Warsaw (if you travel by car, you can travel directly to Masuria). At 11.00 o'clock the hotel Europejski is meeting point for all Masurian-guests. After a short city tour by bus transfer to Mragowo in Masuria (approx. 220 km).

Day 2 - Round about Mragowo (Sensburg)
The first cycle tour stands under the motto „back to the past“. There are still remote areas in Masuria, which bring us back into the 19 th century. On your way you visit the birth house of the masurian poet Ernst Wiechert. The first impressions certainly offer a lot of interesting discussions in the evening around the fire and with music. Accommodation in Mragowo. (approx 50 km, 30 miles)

Day 3 – Holy Linden Tree and Reszel (Rössel or Horses)
Cycle tour to the important pilgrim church „Holy Linden Tree“ with the famous organ of Jusua Mosengels. After an organ-concert we proceed to Reszel (translated meaning Horses), small town with a medieval bishop fortress. Next destination is Ketrzyn (Rastenburg) with a fortress of the German Knight Order and the gothic brick church St. George. Accommodation in Ketrzyn. (approx 45 km, 27 miles)

Day 4 - Ketrzyn – Wolfsschanze – Ketrzyn
In the morning visit of the Wolfsschanze (old Nazi-headquarters). On the way to Ketrzyn opportunity to visit the Masurian museum in Owczarnia. Afterwards free time for a city tour. In the evening “East prussian tales” round off the day. Accommodation in Ketrzyn. (approx 25 km, 15 miles)

Day 5 - Ketrzyn – Gizycko (Lötzen) – Mateuszek
The tour begins with Sztynort (Steinort). There you can visit the old ruin of the castle Lehndorff. From Sztynort we take a boat of the “White Fleet” to Gizycko, further by bicycle to Mateuszek. (approx 55 km, 33 miles)

Day 6 - Mateuszek – Nikolaiken – Mateuszek
By bicycle we reach Nikolaiken. On the way you pass the lake Luknajno. Watch the wild swans in this well known natural reserve. In Nikolaiken enough time remains for a city tour. In Nikolaiken we watch the film “Masurian Atlantis” (life Masuria before the World War II). Afterwards we return to Mateuszek. (approx 40 km, 24 miles)

Day 7 - Mateuszek – Nikolaiken – Ruciane Nida/Krutyn
Along the lake Talty you cycle today via Nikolaiken through the Masurian nature park to Popielno. Visit of a breeding station of polish wild horses, the so called Tarpans. By bicycle we cross the huge forest of Puszcza Piska (Johannisburg heather), with trees more than 400 years old. Accommodation in Ruciane Nida/Krutyn. The popular destination for day trips is situated on one of the most beautiful lakes Masurians. (approx 45 km, 27 miles)

Day 8 – Canoeing on the Krutynia
Via the Johannisburg forest to Wojnowo (Eckertsdorf). After visiting the Philippone monastery you cross the natural reserve Sosna and Zarket. Highlight of the day certainly is a canoe tour on the most beautiful river of Masuria, the Krutynia. By the light of the fire with accordion music we say farewell to Masuria. Accommodation in Ruciane Nida/Krutyn. (approx 50 km, 30 miles)

Day 9 - Warschaw and departure
In the morning bus transfer to Warsaw. Arrival at about 1.00 pm. Opportunity to visit the market place and the old town. Individual departure. The polish capital invites you to stay. Otherwise the overnight train leaves Warsaw at about 8.00 pm.

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