Individual arrival until 18.00 and accommodation in the town of Goethe on the northern border of the Thuringian Forest.

Bordered by willows and alders, the Ilm River rushes down to the valley, expanding into smaller lakes here and there, while continuing to flow leisurely through glades. The biggest market place of Thuringia in Stadtilm invites us for lunch before spectacular limestone walls line the river valley and we reach the classical spa town of Bad Berka with its Goethe Well.

Following the springy course of the river, we cross the historic wooden bridge at Buchfahrt and continue through the marvellous park by the Ilm to Weimar. On a guided walking tour we embark on a treasure hunt through the historic city centre.

We cycle at first through magnificent landscape parks to Tietfurt Castle. Afterwards, we should make a detour across the river in order to visit the Peternell organ at Denstedt, one of the favourite organs of Franz Liszt. Across scattered fruit meadows we continue to the “Glockenstadt” of Apolda (the “City of Bells”), of which the biggest bell chimes in the Cologne Cathedral. The castle and manor of Auerstedt should also be included on our list of places to visit. Accommodation in Bad Sulza/surroundings.

The Thuringian wine gate shortly after Bad Sulza heralds the northernmost wine-growing district of Germany. We enjoy the last kilometres along the Ilm before it flows into the Saale River, which becomes our new companion along the way from here on out. Soon we reach Naumburg (cathedral of “St. Peter and Paul”). The city of Freiburg, known for its (sparkling) wine, invites us for a nice wine tasting (Route Naumburg – Freyburg: approx. 7 km). Accommodation in Naumburg/surroundings.

We follow the curving stream of the Saale till Weißenfels. The landscape widens to a fecund floodplain and leads us via Bad Dürrenberg to Merseburg.

Individual departure or extension of trip.