Germany & Poland tour
Amazon of the North
August 02 - 09 / 2027
Departure date: 02 august 2027
. Endurance level: easy / Agility level: Challenging
Highlights
Bike, Barge and Cruise the Amazon of the North, Germany and Poland. Explore the cradle of the Prussians during this tour of former Prussia, and learn more about the former divided nation of Germany. Command your bike through a variety of surfaces, from tarmac to cobble stones, and ride across the sunny isle of Usedom. Cruise through stunning natural areas of the Havel, Oder & Peene rivers, and the Szczecin lagoon. Take a ride in the oldest ship lift in Germany, Niederfinow, and sample the Polish cuisine in Poland’s lively city of Szczecin.
Our tour guides consider this one of the most interesting & varied tour that Merlijn has to offer
Day-to-day itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation in Malchin
Afternoon check in, afterwards Merlijn will start cruising. We will offer you a welcome drink and introduce the crew, as well as informing you about the tour and the ship, and give you a safety briefing. After departure, your holiday starts, as you enjoy the scenery on the ‘Amazon of the North’. Nature lovers can explore mysterious forests, blossoming meadows and hidden valleys. Our cruise will take us over the large Kummerower See & Peene River. Dinner will be served during the day’s cruise and afterwards we’ll arrive at a small city and stay overnight.
Day 2: Anklam. Bike tour: 40-45 km, or extend to 50-55 km.
While you enjoy your breakfast, the Merlijn will continue her trip by following the Peene River downstream to the next small dock. Your guide will inform you thoroughly about the local traffic rules, how to cycle in a group and will introduce you to your ‘Merlijn-Bicycle’. Meantime the crew will unload the bikes and a bike fitting will be held, only when everyone is ready, the bike tour gets underway!
After visiting the village of Jarmen with its St. Mary’s Church, and the ‘Waterstraat’ residence with its Art Nouveau elements, at the next dock you will board the Merlijn, and together we will cruise on, or you can extend your bike tour, and cycle to a bit more. The Peene will cross 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 - island of Usedom. Bike tour: 30-35 km, or extend to 55-60 km.
Todays cycle tour takes you along the southern coast of Usedom. 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, which have been frequented by German and international nobility, as well as the general public. We will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a little fishing town’s port.
Day 4: island of Usedom - Szczecin. Bike tour: 30-35 km
For today’s programme, 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. Afternoon, Merlijn will cruise across the Stettiner Haff and the River Oder to the city of Szczecin in Poland.
Along the way, we will pass through an endless succession of areas of untouched natural beauty. Take a break on our Merlijn and enjoy the view. We continue our cruise along the last section of the magnificent Stettiner Lagoon before we reach 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. We will stay in the former German city of Stettin, which is now part of Poland, and named Szczecin.
At Merlijn, we have a long-standing tradition of experiencing the local cuisine by dining ashore on one evening. We choose this city to discover the regional Polish cuisine in one of the many restaurants it offers.
Day 5: Szczecin – Schwedt. Bike tour: 40-45 km
In the morning we first take more time to give Szczecin the attention it deserves. Later on the bike tour takes of leaving Szczecin and cycling into Germany, where we will soon reach yet another German State: Brandenburg. Our cycling tour will take us to Schwedt, where we will stay the night. Schwedt is a historical town where you will be able to discover and experience some of the remains of the lifestyle and atmosphere of the former German Democratic Republic. The surrounding landscape on today’s trip is again filled with natural beauty.
Day 6: Schwedt – overnight dock. Bike tour: 50-55 km, or shorten to 25-30 km.
Our cycling tour will lead along magnificent natural scenery. The tour also leads along a castle where you will be offered a guided tour. The castle has a well-preserved medieval castle tower. Enjoy the majestic view from its roof; a view that extends from the National Lower Oder River Valley up to Poland, or 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 take us through many more magnificent scenic area. Then; everyone boards the Merlijn and cruise towards the Niederfinow ship lift. This is the oldest German ship lift, and forms one of the highlights of this tour. The Merlijn and its guests will be taken up 38 metres with the lift to continue the onward journey on the Havel canal.
Day 7: Berlin (Oranienburg – Tegel - Spandau). Bike tour: 35-40 km
For today’s route, the main focus will be on nature and culture. Through forested areas and along the Old Finow Canal, one of the oldest artificial waterways in Europe. It was initially constructed in 1605 to connect the Havel and Oder rivers, but there is now the Havel-Oder Canal to serve that purpose. At some point we will meet the Merlijn and then cruise onward, enjoy the last afternoon onboard watching the scenery glide by while cruising Berlin’s inland lakes. At night there will be a festive farewell dinner, a moment to celebrate with your newest friends and thank the crew for a beautiful time.
Day 8: dis-embarkation in Berlin (Oranienburg – Tegel - Spandau)
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip.
*Note on endurance & agility level:
This trip differs from others in that it passes through more countryside than usual. There are fewer large cities along the entire route and fewer villages to visit on the daily bike rides, which means there are also fewer shops and cafes to stop at along the way.
The bike paths are mostly separate from the road, though not always, and while the path quality is generally good, it can be challenging at times. For example, we also pass cobblestone paths and gravel/dirt roads. For this reason, we’ve rated the tour’s agility level as ‘challenging’. The daily ride distances are similar to what we’re used to with Merlijn, avoiding mountains and hills, so the endurance level is considered ‘easy’ - ideal for someone who regularly cycles and is comfortable with the daily distances listed in the itinerary.
*Please note: Berlin is a large city with many large districts. The center of Berlin is not accessible to Merlijn, which is why we have chosen a strategic embarkation point in one of the suburbs. One that is easily accessible by public transport or taxi, less than an hour's travel time from the center. We recommend that you plan your stay near the center before or after your trip, taking into account your travel plans and without considering the planned mooring location. The exact mooring location will be announced in the travel letter.
Also note that we will not visit Berlin during the tour, we strongly recommend extending your holiday here, to see and visit Berlin.
_2024.jpg "Malchin - Berlin")
_2024.jpg "Malchin - Berlin")
Included in your tour:
- 7 nights onboard Merlijn
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Full service of staff, maintaining cabins, manned bar (no self-service)
- Porterage of luggage upon arrival and departure
- Private stateroom of 11 m2 with 2 comfortable beds (80 x 200 cm) that can be pushed together/separated. Individual climate control and private bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, heated and illuminated mirror. Coffee & tea-making facilities from Nespresso, a varied package with coffee cups included.
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers.
- Daily loading and unloading of your bicycle to and from the ship
- Use of lightweight state-of-the-art bicycle
- Use of a waterproof bike bag, city backpack, towel, water bottle, helmet with communication system.
- English speaking-tour guide (experienced guide who knows the route like the back of their hand)
- Brochures of the area available on board
- Harbour, lock and canal fees
Included culinary care:
- Welcome drink with bubbles and warm snacks
- All day unlimited coffee & specialty-coffee prepared with fresh milk, variation of tea, hot chocolate and potable ice water (self-service).
- Extensive breakfast buffet daily with at least; 2 warm dishes, freshly baked croissants or similar pastries, various types of bread, toaster, yoghurt, cereals, fresh fruit and various beverages.
- Packed lunch prepared by the staff in a special lunch bag with at least a lavish sandwich, snack and drink.
- 6 three-course dinners
- Dinners are based on ‘plate service’, meals are served in the dining area.
- Meals are perceived by our guests as “luxurious” or even “gourmet style”.
Included beverages during bar opening hours:
- Several sodas served from a small bottle
- Several long drinks
- Wide variety of wines (also non-alcoholic wine)
- Beer on tap (also non-alcoholic beer from a bottle)
Included excursions:
- Ferry costs on the bicycle route
- 2 or 3 excursions/entrances to sights
Not included in your tour:
- 1 dinner, the day and location will be announced at the start of the tour
- Excursions, entrance fees and guided tours other than mentioned
- Beverages other than those mentioned (such as spirits and cocktails)
- City maps, bike maps, etc. (we have a lot available however we can’t guarantee every destination)
- Inbound and outbound journeys, such as flights, trains, bus or other type of transfers
- Gratuities (cash only)
- Electronic payments of your onboard expenses (cash only)
- Insurances, we strongly recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance as well as travel insurance.
Not included extra services on board (payable on board):
- Rental of electric bicycles €30,- per piece, per day. Reservations in advance are advisable
- Laundry service, current price available on board