Along the Old Salt Road by Bike & Boat, MS FLORENTINA

Travel to Hamburg on your own and board the ship in the afternoon. Starting at 4:00 p.m., the crew will welcome you aboard, and during a welcome meeting, you’ll receive important information about the schedule for the coming week. Around 5:00 p.m., the ship will weigh anchor and set course for Geesthacht. As the metropolis on the Elbe slowly fades behind you, enjoy your first glimpses of the varied river landscape. After dinner on board, there will be a safety briefing and information about the upcoming bike tours. The ship will spend the night in Geesthacht.

After breakfast, the ship continues its journey upriver along the Elbe and reaches the impressive Scharnebeck ship lift. This engineering marvel overcomes a 38-meter elevation difference and is one of the largest ship lifts in Europe. Afterward, you can choose from various bike tours. The direct route leads to the historic salt and Hanseatic city of Lüneburg. Discover Am Sande Square, City Hall, the winding alleys of the Old Town, and the German Salt Museum, which tells the story of the centuries-long significance of “white gold.” Those who’d like to spend a little more time in the saddle can explore Lüneburg’s charming surroundings. The route takes you over the Bardowick bascule bridge, through quiet wooded areas along the Landwehr, and back into the city on idyllic paths along the Ilmenau River. In the afternoon, you’ll return to the ship in Lüneburg.

Early in the morning, the ship continues its journey along the Elbe. After breakfast, your bike tour begins through the charming landscape of the Elbe floodplain. The route takes you through small villages with traditional half-timbered houses, past meadows, fields, and unspoiled river landscapes. Along the way, it’s worth stopping in the charming little town of Bleckede, which looks back on a long history as a commercial and administrative center on the Elbe. In the afternoon, you’ll finally reach Lauenburg. The picturesque old town, with its half-timbered houses and historic location right on the river, is one of the most beautiful places along the Elbe. Here, your ship awaits you for the night.

While the ship navigates the Elbe-Lübeck Canal in the morning and passes through several locks, the cyclists begin their stage at the Witzeezer Lock. The route winds through the charming lake and forest landscape of the Duchy of Lauenburg, one of the most beautiful natural regions in northern Germany. Along the way, you’ll reach the historic town of Mölln, known as the “City of Eulenspiegel.” The picturesque old town, St. Nicolai Church, and the numerous lakes give the town its special charm. After a stop in Mölln, you’ll cycle along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal before boarding the ship again in the afternoon. The ship continues its journey and arrives in the Hanseatic city of Lübeck. You’ll spend the night in the harbor of this historic city, whose old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This morning is all about Lübeck, the former “Queen of the Hanseatic League.” Take this opportunity to explore the historic Old Town. The famous Holstentor, St. Mary’s Church, and the winding alleys of the Old Town—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—tell the story of this Hanseatic city’s rich history. Of course, you won’t want to miss sampling Lübeck’s world-famous marzipan. Afterward, you’ll cycle from Lübeck to the Baltic Sea. Passing beautiful stretches of coastline and popular seaside resorts, you’ll reach Travemünde, Lübeck’s “Gateway to the Baltic Sea”—a historic district at the mouth of the Trave River. Here, you’ll board the ship again. In the evening, the ship will take you back to Lübeck, where you’ll spend another night.

While the ship departs Lübeck in the morning and sets course for Lauenburg, your bike tour today begins at the Donnerschleuse. You can either follow the historic Elbe-Lübeck Canal toward Mölln or choose a scenic route through the gently rolling hills of the Duchy of Lauenburg. On the latter route, you’ll also pass the picturesque Schloss Wotersen estate, one of the region’s most beautiful manor houses. The quiet paths and water-rich landscape make this leg of the journey a particularly relaxing day of cycling. In the afternoon, you’ll reach the Witzeezer Lock, where you’ll board the ship again. The ship will stay overnight in Witzeeze.

On your final bike tour, you’ll once again follow the course of the Elbe through the vast floodplains and marshlands of northern Germany. The peaceful paths along the river offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature and reflect on the past days of your journey. In Geesthacht, you’ll board the ship again. As the ship passes through the lock and sets course for Hamburg, the landscape gradually changes. The rural tranquility increasingly gives way to the maritime flair of the Hanseatic city. From the sun deck, you’ll enjoy your final hours on the water before reaching the “Gateway to the World.” A varied journey along the historic salt and Hanseatic routes of northern Germany comes to an end with a farewell evening together.

After breakfast, disembark by 9:00 a.m. and make your own way home.