Hamburg to Lübeck via the Old Salt Road

Day 1: Hamburg – Geesthacht

Your journey begins in Hamburg, where you'll board the ship from 4:00 pm. After settling into your cabin, meet your crew and fellow travelers during a welcome gathering before the ship casts off around 5:00 pm. As you cruise east along the Elbe, watch the city skyline give way to riverside countryside while enjoying your first dinner on board. During the evening, the tour leader will introduce the week's cycling routes and practical details before the ship reaches its overnight berth in Geesthacht.

Day 2: Geesthacht – Lüneburg
18 or 27 mi. / 30 or 45 km

The day begins with a morning cruise to the Scharnebeck Ship Lift, one of Europe's largest boat lifts, where ships are raised or lowered 125 feet between the Elbe Lateral Canal and the lower canal section. From here, choose between a shorter ride into Lüneburg or a longer route through the surrounding countryside. The extended option crosses the Bardowick Lift Bridge before following wooded trails along the Landwehr and quiet paths beside the Ilmenau River. Both routes end in Lüneburg, whose prosperity was built on the medieval salt trade. Spend time exploring Am Sande square, the historic town hall, and the winding streets of the old town, or visit the German Salt Museum to learn how salt shaped the city's history. Return to the ship in Lüneburg during the afternoon.

Day 3: Lüneburg – Lauenburg
21 or 31 mi. / 35 or 50 km

Enjoy a morning cruise along the Elbe River before setting out after breakfast. Both cycling routes follow the Elbe through quiet villages, meadows, fields, and stretches of natural riverside landscape, while the longer option allows more time for exploring the scenic countryside. Along the way, consider stopping in Bleckede, a historic trading town on the Elbe. Continue to Lauenburg, where timber-framed houses climb the hillside above the river. Your ship will be waiting here for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Lauenburg – Lübeck
21 or 31 mi. / 34 or 50 km

As the ship cruises the Elbe-Lübeck Canal, passing several locks, you'll begin today's ride at Witzeeze Lock. Cycle through the lakes and forests of the Lauenburg region before reaching Mölln, a historic town linked to Till Eulenspiegel, the legendary trickster of German folklore. Take time to explore the old town, St. Nicolai Church, and the lakes surrounding the town before continuing along the canal. Rejoin the ship in the afternoon as it sails to Lübeck, where you'll spend the night in the UNESCO-listed Old Town.

Day 5: Lübeck – Travemünde | Travemünde – Lübeck
20 mi. / 32 km

Spend the morning exploring Lübeck, once the leading city of the Hanseatic League. Stroll through its UNESCO-listed Old Town to see landmarks such as the Holsten Gate and St. Mary's Church, wander its narrow medieval streets, and sample the city's famous marzipan. Later, cycle to Travemünde, Lübeck's historic seaside district at the mouth of the Trave River, following a route that passes coastal landscapes and popular beach areas along the Baltic Sea. Rejoin the ship in Travemünde for an evening cruise back to Lübeck, where you'll spend the night.

Day 6: Lübeck – Witzeeze
19 or 27 mi. / 30 or 44 km

While the ship departs Lübeck for Lauenburg, today's ride begins at Donnerschleuse. One route follows the historic Elbe-Lübeck Canal toward Mölln, while the other winds through the gently rolling countryside of the Lauenburg region, passing Gut Schloss Wotersen, one of the area's notable manor houses. Both options feature quiet cycling and scenic waterways before arriving at Witzeeze Lock in the afternoon, where you'll rejoin the ship for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Witzeeze – Lauenburg – Geesthacht | Geesthacht – Hamburg
15 or 39 mi. / 25 or 63 km

Follow the Elbe River once more as you cycle through the broad meadows and marshes of northern Germany. Today's ride can be enjoyed as a shorter, leisurely outing or as a longer route extending farther along the riverside before returning to the ship in Geesthacht. During the afternoon cruise to Hamburg, the landscape gradually shifts from quiet countryside to the city's busy waterfront. Enjoy your final hours on deck before arriving in Hamburg, where a farewell evening marks the conclusion of your journey along northern Germany's historic salt and trade routes.

Day 8: Departure from Hamburg

Disembarkation is by 9:00 am, following breakfast.