Berlin to Malchin

Day 1: Arrival in Berlin/Spandau | Check-in 3:30 to 5pm | Merlijn sails for Oranienburg
Day 2: Oranienburg - Eberswalde - Niederfinow, 28 or 37 mi. (45 or 60 km) 
Day 3: Niederfinow - Oderberg - Schwedt, 31 mi. (50 km) 
Day 4: Schwedt - Mescherin - Szczecin, 25 or 44 mi. (40 or 70 km) 
Day 5: Szczecin - Kamminke/Usedom, 22 mi. (35 km) 
Day 6: Kamminke  - Karnin - Anklam - Stolpe, 22 or 34 mi. (35 or 55 km) 
Day 7: Stolpe - Jarmen - Verchen - Malchin, 31 mi. (50 km) 
Day 8: Departure from Malchin following breakfast, by 9 am

Day 1: Arrival in Berlin/Spandau | Check-in 3:30 to 5pm | Merlijn sails for Oranienburg
The Merlijn, your sailing home for the next eight days, will be moored in the port of Berlin/Spandau. After boarding, the Merlijn will sail to Oranienburg to moor overnight. You can enjoy a complimentary beverage and crew introduction. You aslo have a tour and safety briefing. After departure, your holiday will get underway, as you enjoy the scenery and dinner on board while gazing upon the inland lakes around Berlin. Oranienburg, which received its royal name from the Dutch princess Louise Henriette of Nassau-Oranien (1627-1667), is situated at the northern city limits of Germany’s capital city Berlin. Our docking location is too far away from the center of Oranienburg, but we will be happy to offer you a nice evening stroll after dinner.

Day 2: Oranienburg - Eberswalde - Niederfinow, 28 or 37 mi. (45 or 60 km) 
During breakfast, the barge cruises along the Havel River to Zerpenschleuse for the beginning of the cycling itinerary. First on the agenda is  Eberswalde along the Old Finow Canal, one of the oldest artificial waterways in Europe, built in 1605 to connect the Havel and Oder rivers. You will meet the Merlijn in Eberswalde and cruise further. You can also opt to extend your cycling to Niederfinow. The mooring spot for the night will be close to the Niederfinow-Ship-Lift, a highlight you will explore the next day.

Day 3: Niederfinow - Oderberg - Schwedt, 31 mi. (50 km) 
In the morning, before breakfast, you will experience one of the highlights of this tour. You will pass the oldest German ship lift at Niederfinow, which was built in 1932. The Merlijn will descend some 38 meters in this lift. Once you have descended, you will continue your journey to Oderberg, where your cycling tour will start, leading to the city of Schwedt, passing magnificent areas of natural beauty. A visit to the Castle of Stolpe is included in your tour.

The castle of Stolpe has one of the best-preserved medieval castle towers in Germany. Enjoy the majestic view from the roof of this tower, which extends from the National Lower Oder River Valley, across to Poland, or of the picturesque wooded slopes up to beautiful chains of hills in the spacious hinterland. A guided tour of the castle is included. After your visit, you will cycle through more magnificent scenery, and on to the city of Schwedt. Schwedt is a historical town where you will be able to discover and experience some of the remnants of the lifestyle and atmosphere of the former German Democratic Republic.

Day 4: Schwedt - Mescherin - Szczecin, 25 or 44 mi. (40 or 70 km)
Today’s cycling itinerary will showcase nature at its purest. The bike tour leads you to Mescherin in the state of Brandenburg. You will board the Merlijn here to navigate to Poland. Tonight you'll stay in the former German city of Stettin, which now belongs to Poland, and is named Szczecin. Dinner this evening is at your expense providing you the opportunity to discover the regional Polish cuisine in one of the many restaurants this city has to offer. 

Day 5: Szczecin - Kamminke/Usedom, 22 mi. (35 km)  
Your captain will start sailing early, as Merlijn continues its trip following the Oder from Szczecin to the confluence with Stettin Lagoon/Stettiner Haff. Once you pass the estuary of the Oder River, you will navigate the magnificent Stettiner Lagoon to the sunny island of Usedom. This is a German-Polish region located on the Baltic Sea, and definitely worth exploring and discovering. Today’s cycling tour will start at approx. 11:30, and you will cycle over the island to its northern coast on the Baltic Sea. Here, you will have a couple of hours to relax, swim, or stroll through charming cities such as Ahlbeck and Heringsdorf. Whatever you decide, you will have time to enjoy this isle, which is considered another highlight of the tour. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in the little town of Kamminke.

Day 6: Kamminke  - Karnin - Anklam - Stolpe, 22 or 34 mi. (35 or 55 km) 
In the morning, you will cycle across the beautiful Island of Usedom, and en route, you visit a small GDR Museum. In Karnin, which is in the southern part, you will board the Merlijn, and navigate down the Peene River. You can also extend your bike tour to Anklam. Today’s destination is Stolpe, a little village within a natural reserve.

Day 7: Stolpe - Jarmen - Verchen - Malchin, 31 mi. (50 km)
After a sailing breakfast, your last biking tour starts in Jarmen, which is another charming village on the river. Your cycling routes will take you through the former GDR region again, where the road surfaces switch from tarmac to concrete bike paths to cobblestones. From Verchen, you cruise the  Peene River in the late afternoon to Malchin. The landscape around the river is generally characterized by forests, meadows, and agricultural land, with some areas of wetlands and floodplains. The banks are wide, with no traffic, houses, or people as far as the eye can see. Revel in the beauty of this ‘Amazon of the North’ after the week’s great cycling tour.
While cruising along, you cross the Kummerower See, a 20 km wide lake, floating into the Peene once more. This cruise is also to be considered one of the highlights of the week. Before your farewell dinner, you will arrive at Malchin, your final destination.

Day 8: Departure from Malchin following breakfast, by 9 am
 

Day 1: Arrival in Malchin | Check-in 3:30 to 4 pm | Merlijn cruises to Demmin
Day 2: Demmin - Alt Plestin - Stolpe - Anklam, 28 or 34 mi. (45 or 55 km) 
Day 3: Anklam - Karnin - Kamminke/Usedom, 31 mi. (50 km) 
Day 4: Isle of Usedom (Kamminke) - Szczecin, 19 mi. (30 km) 
Day 5: Szczecin - Mescherin - Schwedt, 28 mi. (45 km) 
Day 6: Schwedt - Oderberg - Eberswalde, 15 or 34 mi. (25 or 55 km) 
Day 7: Eberswalde - Oranienburg - Berlin/Spandau, 22 or 44 mi. (35 or 70 km)
Day 8: Departure from Berlin 

Day 1: Arrival in Malchin | Check-in 3:30 to 4pm | Merlijn cruises to Demmin
Check-in on the Merlijn begins at 3:30 pm. After boarding, the barge sets off to cruise from Malchin to Demmin, while you enjoy your complimentary welcome drink and listen to a tour presentation.  On the “Amazon of the North” nature lovers can explore mysterious forests, blossoming meadows, and hidden valleys. The trip takes you over the large Kummerower Lake. Its 300-meter-high east bank offers magnificent views of the beautiful landscapes of the Mecklenburger Schweiz district. The Hanseatic city of Demmin is situated in the Northern German Lowlands where the rivers Peene, Trebel, and Tollense flow together. The city is situated in a very attractive landscape that is characterized by its five scenic and nature protected areas.

Day 2: Demmin - Alt Plestin - Stolpe - Anklam, 28 or 34 mi. (45 or 55 km) 
While you enjoy your breakfast, the Merlijn will continue navigating the Peene River downstream to Alt-Plestin. The docking area is quite small, and therefore perfect for getting to know your bike. Here, your cycling tour to Stolpe will begin. After visiting the village of Jarmen with its St. Mary’s Church, and the ‘Waterstraat’ residence with its Art Nouveau elements, you will follow the Peene River to Stolpe. Here, you will board the Merlijn, and cruise on towards Anklam by boat, or you can extend your bike tour, and cycle to Anklam. The Peene crosses the largest uninterrupted lowland moor area of Europe. The Hanseatic city of Anklam boasts the brick buildings of St. Mary’s Church and the Nikolai Church, the Brick Gate (Steintor) and the Gothic gabled house.

Day 3: Anklam - Karnin - Kamminke/Usedom, 31 mi. (50 km) 
You first cruise to the very charming Isle of Usedom. Your bike tour will start in Karnin on the southern coast. The isle of Usedom, situated very close to the Polish border, is one of Germany's major holiday and recreation areas due to its beaches, natural beauty, and a number of elegant seaside towns such as Zinnowitz and Heringsdorf. You overnight at Kamminke.

Day 4: Isle of Usedom (Kamminke) - Szczecin, 19 mi. (30 km)
For today’s program, you will cycle on the isle for a few more hours to explore the beautiful beaches and perhaps have a dip in the Baltic Sea. Afterward, the Merlijn will cruise across the Stettiner Haff and the River Oder to the city of Szczecin in Poland. Along the way, you will pass through an endless succession of areas of untouched natural beauty. Take a break on the Merlijn and enjoy the view. You continue to navigate along the last section of the magnificent Stettiner Lagoon before reaching the estuary of the River Oder and the Polish border. This is a German-Polish region located on the Baltic Sea that is definitely well worth exploring. You stay in the former German city of Stettin, now part of Poland, and named Szczecin. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to discover the regional Polish cuisine in one of the many restaurants this city offers. 

Day 5: Szczecin - Mescherin - Schwedt, 28 mi. (45 km) 
During breakfast, you leave Szczecin and cruise into Germany, reaching yet another German State, Brandenburg. You begin to cycle in Mescherin, finishing in Schwedt.  Schwedt is a historical town. Schwedt has several parks and gardens, including the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Day 6: Schwedt - Oderberg - Eberswalde, 15 or 34 mi. (25 or 55 km) 
You cycle from Schwedt to Oderberg. One of the highlights of the route is the Oderbruch landscape, characterized by a unique mix of wetlands and farmland. This area is home to a variety of bird and plant species. At Stolpe Castle, you will be offered a guided tour. The castle has one of the best-preserved medieval castle towers in Germany. Enjoy the majestic view from its roof, a view that extends from the National Lower Oder River Valley up to Poland,  picturesque wooded slopes up to beautiful chains of hills in the spacious hinterland. If you choose the shorter tour for today, after lunch you will board the Merlijn. The longer tour will lead through many more magnificent scenic areas before reaching the city of Oderberg. From here, everyone boards the Merlijn, to cruise the Niederfinow ship lift. This is the oldest German ship lift and is one of the highlights of this tour. The Merlijn will rise 38 meter with the lift to continue the onward journey to Eberswalde. 

Day 7: Eberswalde - Oranienburg - Berlin/Spandau, 22 or 44 mi. (35 or 70 km) 
Today’s cycle tour has 2 options. If you choose to bike the longer route, you will start pedaling after breakfast from Eberswalde, while the Merlijn will sail to Zerpenschleuse, where the shorter bike tour will start. During today’s route, the main focus will be on nature and culture. The afternoon heralds your arrival in Oranienburg, which received its royal name from the Dutch princess Louise Henriette of Nassau-Oranien (1627-1667), the House of Orange. Since the reunification of Germany, new trade and industry have been established, most of the residential areas have been thoroughly renovated and redeveloped, and roads, footpaths, and cycle tracks have been newly constructed. At Oranienburg, you will rejoin the Merlijn for a relaxing afternoon cruise to Berlin along the charming Havel River. 

Day 8: Departure from Berlin following breakfast, by 9am
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip. You might want to extend your holiday and spend extra time in Berlin.