Day 1: BerlinIndividual Arrival.
Day 2: Berlin – Schwielowsee (Lake Schielow) approx 45 kmThe start of the cycle tour takes place at the newely constructed Luther Monument, shaded by the Marienkirche ( Marien Church) right in the heart of Berlin. Then is off to Charlottenburg, towards Grunwald and Havel, Straight away one can feel the melancholy stillness of the Brandenburg landscap. Then it’s over the Glienicker Brücke (GlienickerBridge), and we are on our way to Potsdam. During the Cold War this famous bridge was used as an exchange point for spies and dissidents.The Hohenzollern royal residence will both carm and captivate you at a first glance. Splendid castles and parks as well as magnificent villas will enthrall you. We will leave Potsdam behind us by cycling along the banks of the Havel lakes. Arriving in Petzow, a wonderful city located on the west bank of the romantic Schweilowsees.
Day 3: Petzow –Jüterbog approx 55 kmWe will now be leaving the Lake District and arrive in the Beelitz region. Most famous for the growing of vegetables, and particulary for it’s ’white gold’, the asparagus. The asparagus from this region is known to be of an extraordinary quality. Through the fields and meadows of Beelitz and passing a glacial valley we arrive in the small quaint town of Treuenbietzen. If you are lucky you might encounted one of the greatly protected great busards of the region. Cycling passed quiet avenues, meadows and old beech tree forests we are on our way to Jüterbog. It was here, that Johan Tetzel sold his letters of indulgence to many people . His postbox is still evident for this epoch. In Kloster Zinna or Jüterbog, awaits your hotel.
Day 4: Jüterbog – Luther Stadt Wittenburg and into the Elbe Valley approx. 45 kmMedieval stone churches characterize the many villages along the way. Great cycling paths will insure your tour through Fläming with be fun and pleasurable. Now we have almost reached the Elbe Valley. The river Elbe will intrigue you with it’s snake like characteristics. Right in the middle of this wonderful landscape you will be met by the Wittenberg Tower. On the tower of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church), for all to see, Luthers famous quote. ’ Eine feste Burg ist unsere Gott" (our God is a stronghold), In Wittenburg Luther taught for many years (in those days)at Wittensburg’s young and aspiring university. It was here in Wittenburg that Luther would publish his famous 95 theses, something that would soon make the world hold it’s breath. Now and forever the city of Wittenburg will always be connecte with this world-historical event.The major exhibition ’Luther 95 Menschen (mankind) – 95 Schätze (treasures) invites you to take a look at one of the most important chapters in German history. In Wittenberg it is also possible to add an additional day to your tour, with a trip to Torgau.
Day 5: Bad Düben – Through the Dübener Heath approx 45 km
A few kilometers south of Wittenberg the Dübener Heath landscape can be found, A ocean of bright glowing heather. Today this terrain is one of the largest forests areas in Saschen – Anhalts. This peaceful forest landscape, with it’s small streams, ponds, boglands and not forgetting it’s romantic settings will captivate you. To one’s surprise right in this middle of this tranquil forest landscape you will find the quaint little Knipp spa village of Bad Schmiedeberg. This charming little village still bears the charm of days gone by. Reinharz invites you to visit it’s magnificent park with all it’s splendor, or just take a welcomed brake in the amazing grounds of the castle. What ever you decide it will be breathtaking. Alone the banks of the river Mulde lies Bad Düben, a town that has a history of over one thousand years, and todays destination.
Day 6: Bad Düben – Leipzig – Leipziger approx 40 kmBad Düben can look back on a very long and extraodinary historical past. Napoleon had once pitched his headquarters here in Bad Düben the eve of the ’Völkerschlacht’ (Battle of the People).You can enjoy and relax this step of the tour due to the nice even terrain of the Leipziger Bay. Then from afar you can see the Leipziger skyline. The towers of Leipziger, Neuem Rathaus ( the townhall), Cityhochhaus, Völkerschlachtdenkmal (war monument), and Thomaskirche (Thomaschurch). It was at this church that Luther gave a sermon to the people on Whit Monday 1539. This same church is where in 1519, Luther and his Catholic counterpart, the popal theologian Johannes Eck has their famous disputation. This dispute would cement Luther’s complete seperation from the catholic Church. The relationship between the people of Leipzig and Luther was not always an easy one. Although Lepzig benefited greatly from Luther’s numerous published works, city leaders were very skeptial about Luther for a long time. Today Leipzig fascinates millions of visitors every year with it’s colourful cultural scene. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of this historical old town.If that’s not your cup of tea, what about a relaxing trip on one of the many charming canals to be found in this amazing city.
Day 7: Leipzig - Lakelands Halle - Leipzig approx 40 kmPassing through the beautiful Neuseen lake district to Halle, a town that lies on the river Saale. Halle has a wonderfully kept historical city centre, it has a lot of Renaissance and Baroque characteristics. In this beautiful city Luther started his Reformation in 1541. This was the start of Protestant humanistic education in Germany.One of Luther’s opponents, Albrect von Brandenburg also resided in Halle at the same time, interesting for the population of the city at the time. Finally not to be missed in Halle’s museum on exhibit the ’Himmelsscheibe von Nebra’. Central Europa’s oldest calendar.
Day 8: LeipzigIndividual departure or extension
The metropolis of Berlin, with it’s vast variety of natural and cultural landscapes together with the trendy saxon city of Leipzig set the stage for a historical and amazing journey through Germany - the birthplace of Luther’s Reformation. The start of the journey involves a visit to the German Historical Museum where visitors can enjoy an exhibition named ’The Luther Effect’ - 500 years of Protestantism. After getting off to an amazing cultural start, it’s now time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Brandenburg, Sachsen-Anhalt and not forgetting the Bay of Leipzig. What a picturesque cycle tour through the Havel lakelands and pine forests, a short rest to enjoy the beautiful Medieval shops which can be visited along the way! We will continue by cycling through glacial valleys and not forgetting avenues of old ancient trees. Brandenburg’s countryside awaits you in 2017.
