Berlin Wall Trail Cycle

berlin wall trail cycle

A UTracks active holiday is all about exploring Europe your way. It’s about walking or cycling the incredible trails of Europe and becoming completing immersed in your travel experience. Since we began in 2006, UTracks has been the leader in active European holidays. Our itineraries have always been creative, rewarding, and very affordable. With over 450 active trips across the continent, UTracks offers unique opportunities explore europe your way to discover an untrodden Europe that spans postcard‑perfect landscapes, centuries‑old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting gastronomic delights. You can choose to set your own pace on a flexible self guided journey or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a small group tour. We cater to all fitness abilities with our honest graded system that defines our trips from introductory to challenging. Plus we offer exceptional value with many inclusions on all our trips, allowing you more freedom to enjoy the natural and cultural wonders of Europe. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2‑star or 4‑star, small group or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks helps you explore Europe exactly the way you want.

TRIP COST TRIP NAME: BERLIN WALL TRAIL CYCLE Joining Oranienburg Germany from : $1240 TRIP CODE: BER Trip Concludes: TRIP DURATION: 5 DAYS Oranienburg Oranienburg Berlin GRADE: INTRODUCTORY TO MODERATE ‑ 2 All prices are per person Potsdam Teltow

OPTIONS & ACTIVITY: SELF GUIDED CYCLING SUPPLEMENTS ACCOMMODATION: 4 NIGHTS IN 3‑4 STAR HOTELS Electric Bike Supplement: $170 DATE DETAILS: WEEKLY ON SUNDAY FROM 3 MAY TO 20 SEP Single Supplement: $350

As the trip price is based on twinshare, highlights a single supplement is payable if you are not sharing with a friend / Discovering the grand sites, hidden gems and incredible history of Berlin at handlebar level family member ‑ or a single traveller Cycling along the former border line between East & West Germany supplement if you are travelling solo*. Please refer to the price options for Potsdam and the impressive grounds of Sanssouci Palace costs or ask our office for details. Experiencing Berlin’s unique neighbourhoods Note regarding single rooms ‑ The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in the trip some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms. The Berlin Wall, a onetime symbol of division, now provides a peaceful path for cyclists looking to *The single traveller surcharge is only explore one of Germany’s most dynamic cities in an entirely different way. This urban cycle adventure available on trips deemed suitable will uncover the diversity of Berlin offering a unique insight into the numerous faces of the city, for solo travellers. It is usually more marked by historical adversity yet celebrated in the vibrancy of the landscapes and landmarks which expensive than the single supplement due to the extra cost for luggage define it. The 160km loop structure that was brought down in 1989 has now given rise to the Wall transfers and organisation. Trail (Mauerweg) and cycling along the former border line between East and West Germany is the IMPORTANT NOTES ideal way to stop and soak in the history of the many check points, that are now sites of interest, as DN1 - Other departure days on well as other fascinating relics. During this circuit ride from Oranienburg through Berlin and passing request for minimum 4 people. by important sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of peace, and Checkpoint Charlie, once DN2 - The last stage from Potsdam to separating the American‑controlled zone of West Berlin from the Soviet‑controlled East Berlin. The Oranienburg can be shortened by train ride along the former patrol roads takes in forests and grand parks, such as the World Heritage listed parks and palaces of Potsdam, namely the Sanssouci palace complex, where philosopher Voltaire once stayed and the Spandau Forest, on a circuit returning to Oranienburg. At night stay in comfortable hotels chosen for their location and service.

© World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 10/13/2019 12:49:58 PM Page 1 berlin wall trail cycle itinerary at a glance Day 1 Arrive Oranienburg, just north of Berlin Day 2 Follow cycle route to central Berlin (44km/27mi) Day 3 Cycle past the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie to Teltow (59km/36.5mi) Day 4 Cycle to Potsdam, visit Sanssouci palace complex (30km/18.5mi) Day 5 Cycle through the Spandau Forest to Oranienburg (76km/47mi), trip concludes detailed itinerary DAY 1 Arrive Oranienburg, just north of Berlin On arrival in Berlin, take the S-bahn to Oranienburg, a journey of just under one hour. If you arrive early you may wish to take an excursion to the nearby Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial (free entry). Please note that if you arrive on a Sunday, the supermarkets and most shops are closed. Tonight is spent in Oranienburg. meals: NIL DAY 2 Follow cycle route to central Berlin (44km/27mi) Your first day’s adventure begins by cycling through the nature conservation area Tegeler Fließ and soon after you will join the Berlin Wall Trail (Berlin Mauerweg) proper. You’ll come across your first watchtower and some orange steles, which are common along the route and provide information about people who lost their lives trying to cross the wall. Following the boundary of the wall you pass through forest on your way to Wedding. The trail continues to the former border crossing Invalidenstrasse. As you arrive into the city you will find Bernauer Strasse, where you will see your first sections of the old wall as well as memorials dedicated to showing the impact it had on the lives of residents. On the Kronprinzenbrücke the path leads over the Spree river up to the Reichstag and to the grand 18th-century Brandenburg Gate, an iconic symbol of reunification and peace. You are now in the middle of Berlin! Divided during the Cold War, today Berlin has a vibrant art scene and nightlife. Reminders of the city’s turbulent history include the Holocaust Memorial, the graffiti-ed remains of the Berlin Wall, and its eclectic architecture. A truly fascinating city to explore, don’t miss the Schloss Charlottenburg, World Heritage listed Museum Island and Mies van der Rohe’s landmark Neue Nationalgalerie. meals: B DAY 3 Cycle past the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie to Teltow (59km/36.5mi) Today’s ride heads through the heart of the city of Berlin. From the Brandenburg Gate you continue to follow the path of the former Berlin Wall. Take time to enjoy the sights in the city centre including the Gendarmenmarkt before continuing to Potsdamer Platz city square. Continue to the former border control Checkpoint Charlie, where you may want to visit the Border Museum. From there, follow the path of the former Wall alongside the city district of Kreuzberg, over the Spree River, to the Ostbahnhof. Here you will find a remnant of the Berlin Wall called The East Side Gallery, which has been transformed into a wall of art. It is the largest remaining section of the wall. You may want to make a quick stop at the Soviet monument in Treptow Park before continuing through Treptow’s small summer garden area to the former Sonnenallee border crossing (which featured in Leander Hausmann’s 1999 film of that name). The first German airport for engine- powered airplanes was built in 1909 in nearby Adlershof. Once you reach Schonefeld, continue past Bukow and outlying areas to Teltow. Overnight in or near Teltow. meals: B

DAY 4 Cycle to Potsdam, visit Sanssouci palace complex (30km/18.5mi) Today’s ride is shorter to allow you more time to explore the many sights in Potsdam. Cycle the route of the ‘Stammbahn’, the first Prussian train to run from Potsdamer Platz to Potsdam in 1838. Along the way you will pass the former border control point of Dreilinden. Crossing over the Konigsweg you will cycle through the Berlin forest towards Babelsberg and Potsdam. The ride diverts from the main Berlin Wall Trail so you can view the Glienicke Bridge, where spies were exchanged, from a different angle (you will ride over it tomorrow morning). In the afternoon, you can explore this former royal capital and garrison town or visit the Sanssouci palace and terraced gardens. Overnight in Potsdam. meals: B DAY 5 Cycle through the Spandau Forest to Oranienburg (76km/47mi), trip concludes Today’s ride is mostly along the Havel River following the well marked Havel River cycle route. For a section you will leave the Berlin Wall Trail to enjoy the more scenic option along the river. From Potsdam, cycle through the hills, park and lake landscape designed by Lenné and Schinkel, past the Glienicke Bridge and then by ferry (own cost) across the Havel to Kladow. Follow the former border through the Großglienicker Heide to Staaken. From Staaken, the route continues through the Spandau Forest to Nieder Neuendorf and Henningsdorf. Here you will leave the Berlin Wall Trail and follow the Berlin to Copenhagen bike path back to Oranienburg. The trip concludes on arrival at the joining hotel. meals: B inclusions 4 breakfasts ‑ buffet style with breads, spreads, cheese, often meats and cereals, coffee, tea, juice 4 nights in 3‑4 star hotels on a twinshare basis with ensuite facilities Rental bike with 2 panniers and repair kit (electric bike available on request ‑ supplement applies) Luggage transfers Information pack including route notes and maps (one set per room booked) Emergency hotline GPS Data on request items not included Travel to/from Oranienburg Lunch and dinner daily Drinks Travel insurance ‑ mandatory Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc. Entry fees to sights, for example: • Kreismuseum Oberhavel in Schloss Oranienburg, appx. 5‑8 € / person • Zitadelle Berlin Spandau, appx. 3‑5 € / person • Ticket sanssouci+ , appx. 20 € / person (allows one visit to all open castles of SPSG in Potsdam on one day incl. fix entry time at Schloss Sanssouci (excluded: Schloss Sacrow, Jagdschloss Stern in Potsdam, special exhibitions) • booking & payment for sightseeing and entrance fees is payable locally; prices quoted above are subject to change) Tour guide – this is a self guided cycling trip Helmet ‑ not available for hire. Can be purchased locally. Visitor’s tax (app EUR1‑5 per person per night payable directly to the hotel) Ferry Wannsee – Kladow, appx. 10 € / person getting there BY CAR Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: www.viamichelin. com

PARKING & TRANSFERS If you are arriving in Berlin by car you can park your car at the hotel for EUR30 per day during the trip. This price is payable locally and subject to change. BY TRAIN Berlin is well connected by rail to points throughout Europe. To get to Oranienburg you will need to take the S‑Bahn from downtown Berlin. From Oranienburg Hauptbahnhof you can walk to the first hotel in approximately 10 minutes. BY AIR Berlin is well connected by air to points throughout Europe and beyond. If you require assistance with booking flights please let us know. trip grading - introductory to moderate INTRODUCTORY TO MODERATE ‑ Grade 2 This trip involves 4 days cycling with cycling stages from 25 to 50km / 15.5 to 31mi per day with gradual ascent and descent. The terrain on this tour is flat with occasional hills however weather conditions can impact on the riding difficulty. Most of the tour is on quiet roads or bike paths in the city. If you are not familiar with cycling with light to moderate traffic conditions, it is recommended that you practise this before you travel. This trip requires a good level of fitness. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets are worn. equipment provided Rental Bike We have a large selection of men’s and women’s 7 speed bicycles with back-pedal breaks with hub gears and 26” or 28” wheels. We also have a selection of various size 24-speed freewheel men’s and unisex bicycles with derailleur gears and 28” wheels. They are top-quality brand bicycles by Kettler and Kalkoff. Please let us know your preferences at time of booking. You will be provided with a pannier, repair kit, lock, key and pump per room. Electric Bike An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies, see below. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or to allow less confident or fit cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current capabilities. dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut‑free or allergen‑free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life‑threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self‑administering these medications.

© World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 10/13/2019 12:49:58 PM Page 4 berlin wall trail cycle a note on our self guided adventures Self guided walking or cycling requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. On self guided cycling tours it is expected that you will know how to repair punctures and make minor adjustments to gears, handlebars and seats. For anything more serious, our local partner will be able to assist. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of it as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7day service hotline in the event of any problems. Using directions and maps can be more difficult for solo travellers as often two heads are better than one when it comes to finding your way. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self guided trips, however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. The freedom of a self guided trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again. joining instructions Before departure you will receive details of your joining hotel. On arrival at the hotel you will have a short introduction to the tour and receive your Information Package which includes: route book and map fast facts COUNTRIES VISITED Germany VISAS Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see www. schengenvisainfo.com/schengen‑visa‑countries‑list/ for countries part of the Schengen). Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements. CLIMATE The trip runs between May and September, during the European summer & autumn. Temperatures range between 5‑18 degrees Celsius (41‑65 degrees Fahrenheit) in autumn, and 15‑25 degrees Celsius (59‑77 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer (sometimes higher). MIN GROUP SIZE 1 MOBILITY REQUIREMENT This trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. SPECIALIST GEAR REQUIRED Bike helmet, wet weather gear, sunscreen, jogging shoes and sun hat. (A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre‑departure information provided on booking). how to book Booking a UTracks holiday is simple. You can book online, via our secure payment facility, at your own convenience. Alternatively, fill out our booking form ‑ which can be found at the back of our brochure, on our website or we can email you a copy ‑ then scan/email, fax or post the form to your nearest UTracks or World Expeditions office, or travel agent, with the relevant deposit by cheque or credit card (note: surcharges may apply for credit card payments if full payment is made). UTracks has access to competitive airfares to Europe. Contact us, or your travel agent, for assistance with your travel arrangements including flights, travel insurance & additional accommodation.

© World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 10/13/2019 12:49:58 PM Page 5 berlin wall trail cycle follow us https://www.facebook.com/UTracks https://www.instagram.com/utrackstravel/ https://twitter.com/UTracks_Travel There’s even more tips and ideas on our blog at http://www.utracks.com/discover

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IMPORTANT NOTE THESE TRIP NOTES REPRESENT THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITINERARY,AND SUPERSEDE ANY INFORMATION DETAILED IN THE CURRENT BROCHURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ITINERARY AND PRICE. talk to us If you require any further assistance regarding this trip or any other adventure, please contact your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office.

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