I continued south via very relaxing cycling trails along the Oder meanders, most of the way in a pleasant shade, and turned away from the river just before Berlin.
Berlin clearly demonstrates that it is the capital of all federal offices, all German hipsters, as well as those who arrived to Germany from Turkey, Poland and the rest of the world. Nevertheless, you can find places in the busy city where you can have a calm rest. And they are also well prepared for cyclists here.
After inner Berlin I stopped at the seat of the German emperors – Potsdam – a town from all sides surrounded by parks, river and canals. While local palaces may not match Versailles in spectacularity, it seems the Kaisers decided to compensate that by quantity – palaces, mansions and pavilions are scattered all around Potsdam.
Just behind Luther’s Wittenberg I crossed the Elbe (that’s almost home, right?). And because I have already visited Dresden along the Elbe on my bike previously, this time I rode via Leipzig and from there on I followed the leisurely cycling trails around the river Weisse Elster.
