Berlin & Brandenburg by E-Bike & Boat

Day 1: Arrival in Berlin
Day 2: Berlin – Oranienburg, 21 or 29 mi. (34 or 47 km)
Day 3: Oranienburg – Potsdam, 21 or 27 mi. (34 or 43 km)
Day 4: Potsdam Loop Ride, 18 mi. (29 km)
Day 5: Potsdam – Brandenburg an der Havel, 24 or 34 mi. (39 or 55 km)
Day 6: Brandenburg an der Havel – Berlin-Spandau, 23 or 31 mi. (37 or 50 km)
Day 7: Berlin, 15 mi. (24 km)
Day 8: Departure from Berlin

Daily distances are approximate, and the itinerary may change due to weather, water levels, or other navigational conditions.

Day 1: Arrival in Berlin
Board the Clair de Soleil in central Berlin beginning at 4:00 p.m. After settling into your cabin, meet the captain, crew, and tour guide during a welcome gathering before enjoying your first dinner on board. If time permits, take a short evening walk for your first introduction to Germany's capital, where centuries of history and modern city life exist side by side.

Day 2: Berlin – Oranienburg, 21 or 29 mi. (34 or 47 km)
Enjoy breakfast as the Clair de Soleil cruises along the Spree River, leaving the bustle of Berlin behind. After your bike fitting, begin cycling along riverside paths and through green parkland as the city's urban landscape gradually gives way to the forests and waterways of Brandenburg. This afternoon, visit the Sachsenhausen Memorial, one of Germany's most significant memorial sites. Established in 1936 as a Nazi concentration camp and later used as a Soviet internment camp, it now serves as a place of remembrance and education, offering important insight into the country's twentieth-century history.

Day 3: Oranienburg – Potsdam, 21 or 27 mi. (34 or 43 km)
Begin the day with a leisurely cruise before setting out by bike through Brandenburg's network of lakes, canals, and forests – a landscape Germans often refer to as the "Blue Paradise." Along the route, stop at the House of the Wannsee Conference, where senior Nazi officials met in 1942 to coordinate the implementation of the Holocaust. Today, the villa serves as a memorial and educational center. Continue to Potsdam, the former residence of Prussian kings and one of Germany's most elegant historic cities.

Day 4: Potsdam Loop Ride, 18 mi. (29 km)
Today's ride is dedicated to Potsdam, renowned for its royal parks, gardens, and palaces. Cycle through the city's historic landscapes before visiting Sanssouci Palace, Frederick the Great's summer residence and the most famous of Potsdam's UNESCO World Heritage sites. Dinner is on your own this evening, giving you the opportunity to explore the city's cafés or sample regional specialties at one of its traditional restaurants.

Day 5: Potsdam – Brandenburg an der Havel, 24 or 34 mi. (39 or 55 km)
Ride through wooded countryside and alongside Brandenburg's lakes with a stop near the former summer home of Albert Einstein. Continue to the island town of Werder, known for its orchards, fruit wines, and historic center, before rejoining the Clair de Soleil in Ketzin for a relaxing afternoon cruise. This evening, discover Brandenburg an der Havel on a guided walking tour through one of the state's oldest cities.

Day 6: Brandenburg an der Havel – Berlin-Spandau, 23 or 31 mi. (37 or 50 km)
Today's ride showcases the waterways that define Brandenburg, following quiet cycling routes beside lakes, rivers, and canals through one of Germany's most water-rich regions. After a picnic lunch, rejoin the ship and enjoy one final afternoon cruising toward Berlin. Your destination is Berlin-Spandau, often called "Little Venice" for its many waterways, bridges, and well-preserved historic center.

Day 7: Berlin, 15 mi. (24 km)
Your final ride explores Berlin's remarkable blend of history and modern life. Cycle past the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag, and Brandenburg Gate, where Cold War history unfolded and President Ronald Reagan delivered his famous 1987 speech. If you prefer, spend the day exploring independently using Berlin's excellent public transportation network before gathering aboard the Clair de Soleil for a farewell captain's dinner.

Day 8: Departure from Berlin
After breakfast, disembark by 9:30 a.m. and begin your journey home.

• Clair de Soleil

  Premium

  ?

  View Boat

  Premium Class Barge

  Electric Bike

  • Low-entry (step-through frame) • Lightweight aluminum … • High handlebars and upright riding position … • Nexus 7 gears … • Hand brakes … • Shimano motor (400 WH) offering 4 levels of support … •… Read More

  Standard Touring Bike

  • Low-entry (step-through frame) • Lightweight aluminum … • High handlebars and upright riding position … • Handbrakes … • Shimano 7-speed nexus drive … • Selle-Royal adjustable gel saddle … • Easy… Read More

  The Clair de Soleil offers an intimate, small-ship experience with accommodations for just 28 guests. Scheduled for an extensive renovation during the winter of 2026–2027, this charming river barge provides a comfortable home base for exploring Germany's scenic waterways by bike and boat. Read More