Following the Order of Teutonic Knights – A BIKE TRIP TO THE PAST -The siege of Marienburg 1410-2010
365 km in 8 days by bike, boat, and canoe
Day 1 - 0km
Individual arrival to Gdańsk, check in (past 12.00).
A welcome drink in the hotel restaurant – the meeting of all the participants at 3pm. Choosing and adjusting the bikes.
About two-hour walk – sightseeing with a tour guide, dinner – a chance to meet and get to know the other participants.
A welcome drink in the hotel restaurant – the meeting of all the participants at 3pm. Choosing and adjusting the bikes.
About two-hour walk – sightseeing with a tour guide, dinner – a chance to meet and get to know the other participants.
Day 2 - 60km BIKE
After packing the luggage into our security van we cycle towards Sobieszewo Island (Wyspa Sobieszewska) where we cross the river on a ferry at the mouth of Vistula.
The area of our trip is Zulawy (Żuławy Wiślane). It is a nature reserve – the Lower Vistula Valley (Dolina Dolnej Wisły). This woodless and flat area was torn from the sea mostly by the Dutch emigrants – the Menonits. We find lots of monuments connected with them on our way that day and later on.
Cycling along the picturesque sea shore leads us to the saddest memento of the past – a war concentration camp in Sztutowo (Stutthof) and we get to the Vistula Lagoon (Zalew Wiślany) and further to the surroundings of Elbląg where we spend our first night.
A campfire in the evening is a great opportunity to get to know one another and taste a regional choice of beer and sausages grilled over the campfire.
The area of our trip is Zulawy (Żuławy Wiślane). It is a nature reserve – the Lower Vistula Valley (Dolina Dolnej Wisły). This woodless and flat area was torn from the sea mostly by the Dutch emigrants – the Menonits. We find lots of monuments connected with them on our way that day and later on.
Cycling along the picturesque sea shore leads us to the saddest memento of the past – a war concentration camp in Sztutowo (Stutthof) and we get to the Vistula Lagoon (Zalew Wiślany) and further to the surroundings of Elbląg where we spend our first night.
A campfire in the evening is a great opportunity to get to know one another and taste a regional choice of beer and sausages grilled over the campfire.
Day 3 35km BIKE + 35km BOAT
Only a few kilometers away from Elbląg – we get there shortly after breakfast and not a long ride.
Elbląg – the most precious monuments of the town are St Nicolaus Cathedral with a four-meter tall figure of crucified Jesus, Market Gate built in 1309 and the ruins of a Dominican monastery from the 13th century. The greatest attraction of Elbląg and its surrounding is the Elbląg Canal that is of our interest later in the afternoon.
We head from Elbląg towards Ostróda near Drużno Lake, the lowest lake in Poland. Later on till 2pm we travel south and after a picnic dinner in the woods we get on a boat and the Augustów Canal takes us to Ostróda.
The Elbląg Canal – built in the 19th century was designed by a Dutch engineer, Jacob George Steenke. This unique construction was made in order to transport the wood from Prussia to the Baltic Sea, however, soon after that a parallel railway was built and took over the role of the canal. The difference in the level of water between the Baltic Sea and a hundred kilometers away Ostróda is overcome by five slipways and two sluices. It is one of a few places in the world where you can both travel by ship and on a railway.
The most interesting monument in Ostróda is the Teutonic castle rebuilt after the war only in the 70s. We spend our next night in the area near Ostróda.
Elbląg – the most precious monuments of the town are St Nicolaus Cathedral with a four-meter tall figure of crucified Jesus, Market Gate built in 1309 and the ruins of a Dominican monastery from the 13th century. The greatest attraction of Elbląg and its surrounding is the Elbląg Canal that is of our interest later in the afternoon.
We head from Elbląg towards Ostróda near Drużno Lake, the lowest lake in Poland. Later on till 2pm we travel south and after a picnic dinner in the woods we get on a boat and the Augustów Canal takes us to Ostróda.
The Elbląg Canal – built in the 19th century was designed by a Dutch engineer, Jacob George Steenke. This unique construction was made in order to transport the wood from Prussia to the Baltic Sea, however, soon after that a parallel railway was built and took over the role of the canal. The difference in the level of water between the Baltic Sea and a hundred kilometers away Ostróda is overcome by five slipways and two sluices. It is one of a few places in the world where you can both travel by ship and on a railway.
The most interesting monument in Ostróda is the Teutonic castle rebuilt after the war only in the 70s. We spend our next night in the area near Ostróda.
Day 4 - 75km BIKE
Travelling along the most beautiful area of the Jeziorak Lake we head towards north-west, getting closer to the capital of the Teutonic kingdom – Marienburg. We take a longer brake for a barbecue picnic by one of the forest lakes in the afternoon. Afterwards there is a time for swimming and sunbathing.
In the late afternoon we get to the area of Marienburg fortress and join the army besieging the Teutonic Knights. Of course great attractions are accompanying the army: knights victuals and mead, fights and competitions on foot and on a horseback. If you lack the arms, the wandering stallholders offer a sword or a battleaxe. But mind yourself so that your pouch won’t become the spoils!
In the late afternoon we get to the area of Marienburg fortress and join the army besieging the Teutonic Knights. Of course great attractions are accompanying the army: knights victuals and mead, fights and competitions on foot and on a horseback. If you lack the arms, the wandering stallholders offer a sword or a battleaxe. But mind yourself so that your pouch won’t become the spoils!
Day 5 - 35km BIKE + BOAT
After breakfast we cycle again towards the castle to see the general storming of the fortress by Polish and Lithuanian army. We hope that this time the besiegers make it through the high walls and defeat the black cross brave knights.
In the afternoon, saying farewell to Marienburg, we cycle along the Nogat River towards other castles located by the Vistula.
About 5pm we get to the castle in Gniew where dressed in traditional historical costumes we are hosted by the stronghold commander. We discover the greatest secrets of the castle and the taste of its wine during the feast.
The night is a chance to experience a real Teutonic life, sleeping in the old cells of the Gniew castle. At midnight only the brave take part in the search for the ghost of the commander who wanders around the castle every night. For those who are scared of the Spartan life led by the monk knights we provide the night in a nearby hotel with all the conveniences.
In the afternoon, saying farewell to Marienburg, we cycle along the Nogat River towards other castles located by the Vistula.
About 5pm we get to the castle in Gniew where dressed in traditional historical costumes we are hosted by the stronghold commander. We discover the greatest secrets of the castle and the taste of its wine during the feast.
The night is a chance to experience a real Teutonic life, sleeping in the old cells of the Gniew castle. At midnight only the brave take part in the search for the ghost of the commander who wanders around the castle every night. For those who are scared of the Spartan life led by the monk knights we provide the night in a nearby hotel with all the conveniences.
Day 6 - 60km BIKE
On that day we cycle along the Vistula and cross the river on a ferry to find ourselves at one of the best preserved Teutonic castle in Kwidzyn, known of the biggest gdanisko, i.e. a huge outdoor toilet.
Travelling forward we get to Grudziądz situated on a river bank. We have our dinner there and sightsee the famous granaries.
We spend the night in a farm tourism hotel near the Vistula.
Travelling forward we get to Grudziądz situated on a river bank. We have our dinner there and sightsee the famous granaries.
We spend the night in a farm tourism hotel near the Vistula.
Day 7 - 75km BIKE
A romantic city of Chełmno, called ‘The Lovers’ Town’ is one of the attractions that day. It is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Poland. A walk round the city gives us a chance to see the town fortifications, marvelous churches as well as Gothic and Renaissance town hall.
A visit to the city is a great opportunity to taste traditional and regional dishes.
A charming small town of Chełmża (Chełmża Lake District) is another tourist attraction on our way and it is not far from Toruń, one of the most amazing towns in Poland, a home of Copernicus and gingerbread.
A tour guide shows you the most important monuments such us the House of Copernicus, Town Hall, Toruń Leaning Tower and many others. An evening walk is followed by the last supper we spend together.
A visit to the city is a great opportunity to taste traditional and regional dishes.
A charming small town of Chełmża (Chełmża Lake District) is another tourist attraction on our way and it is not far from Toruń, one of the most amazing towns in Poland, a home of Copernicus and gingerbread.
A tour guide shows you the most important monuments such us the House of Copernicus, Town Hall, Toruń Leaning Tower and many others. An evening walk is followed by the last supper we spend together.
Day 8 - 0Km
We say goodbye after breakfast and transfer you to a railway station where you can take a train to many bigger cities in Poland. Transfer to Gdańsk or Gdańsk airport is also available at extra cost.
The price includes:
· 7 nights at hotels, hotel buildings in historical objects or farm tourism buildings. Double room.
· Breakfasts from the second to the last day of the trip.
· Two open air picnics.
· Medical and accident insurance.
· Guidance by a local English-speaking tour guide.
· The transfer of the luggage, security van and basic service help.
· Water during the trip supplied from the security van.
Extra fees:
· The hire of a bike – 30€
· Single room supllement- 80€
· Five dinners in a restaurant - 75€
· Other costs including sightseeing tickets - 30€
· 7 nights at hotels, hotel buildings in historical objects or farm tourism buildings. Double room.
· Breakfasts from the second to the last day of the trip.
· Two open air picnics.
· Medical and accident insurance.
· Guidance by a local English-speaking tour guide.
· The transfer of the luggage, security van and basic service help.
· Water during the trip supplied from the security van.
Extra fees:
· The hire of a bike – 30€
· Single room supllement- 80€
· Five dinners in a restaurant - 75€
· Other costs including sightseeing tickets - 30€