Berlin and the Green Lake District, CLAIR DE SOLEIL

Your journey begins in the heart of Berlin, close to the government district. After embarkation from 4 p.m., you will meet the captain, crew and tour leader during a welcome meeting. Afterwards, enjoy your first dinner together on board and settle into the relaxed rhythm of the days ahead. A short walk around the ship’s mooring follows, offering a lovely opportunity to gain your first impressions of Berlin and immerse yourself in the city’s history and culture.

During breakfast, your ship slowly leaves central Berlin and follows the River Spree out of the capital. Urban waterfront scenery gradually gives way to the quieter natural landscapes surrounding the city.

Once the ship has docked and the bikes have been adjusted, your first cycle tour begins. The relaxed route follows waterways and extensive parklands to Oranienburg. The afternoon is dedicated to German history with a visit to the Sachsenhausen Memorial, a place of remembrance and reflection. The former concentration camp, which was later also used as a Soviet internment camp, remains a powerful reminder of one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

While you enjoy breakfast on board, the Clair de Soleil sets course southwards. Today’s cycle tour soon begins, allowing you to experience the beauty of Brandenburg and the region’s characteristic combination of lakes, canals and forests.

Along the way, you make a short stop at the House of the Wannsee Conference, a historic site that now serves as a memorial and educational centre dedicated to the Nazi era. In the afternoon, you arrive in Potsdam with its magnificent parks, palaces and historic waterways.

Today is entirely dedicated to Potsdam, a city filled with magnificent parks, extensive gardens and impressive palaces. For centuries, Potsdam was the favoured summer residence of Prussian kings and German rulers, and the splendour of bygone eras can still be felt throughout the city. During a guided cycle tour, you discover Potsdam’s most beautiful sights. A particular highlight is the visit to Sanssouci Palace, the famous summer residence of Frederick the Great, renowned for its elegant architecture and extensive terraced gardens. The evening is at your leisure, and dinner is not included. Take the opportunity to explore Potsdam’s restaurant scene, perhaps with a visit to one of the traditional potato restaurants for which the region is known.

In the morning, your cycle tour begins through the forested landscapes surrounding Potsdam. Along the way, you make a short stop at Albert Einstein’s summer house, idyllically situated amid nature. The route then continues through the lake district before a small ferry takes you across the water. Around midday, you arrive in the charming island town of Werder. Once a fishing village and later shaped by fruit and wine growing, this historic town is beautifully situated by the water and invites you to enjoy a relaxing break. In Ketzin an der Havel, your ship awaits you in the afternoon and takes you comfortably onwards to Brandenburg an der Havel. In the evening, explore the city on a guided walk and learn more about its eventful history.

Brandenburg’s water-rich landscape, with its numerous lakes, canals and peaceful riverside paths, characterises today’s stage and once again showcases the region’s distinctive beauty. After a picnic along the way, you return to the ship in Ketzin an der Havel. As the vessel sets course for Berlin, sit back and enjoy the passing scenery from the water. In the afternoon, you arrive in Berlin-Spandau, which is often known as “Little Venice” because of its many waterways and bridges. With its winding cobbled lanes and old half-timbered houses, this historic district is ideal for a leisurely walk and provides an atmospheric end to the day.

The final full day of your journey is dedicated to the German capital. If you wish, you can explore Berlin independently at your own pace. Thanks to the city’s excellent S-Bahn connections, many attractions are easy to reach. Alternatively, join your tour leader for one final cycle tour to some of Berlin’s best-known sights. The route includes Checkpoint Charlie, sections of the former Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate. You also pass through the government district and by the Federal Chancellery, where history meets modern city life. In the evening, conclude your holiday through Berlin and Brandenburg with a captain’s dinner aboard the Clair de Soleil in a relaxed atmosphere.

After breakfast, disembarkation takes place by 9 a.m., followed by your individual journey home.