After checking in to your hotel In Lübeck, the rest of the day is yours to explore this lovely old town. The seven spires of various gothic-style churches that somehow miraculously survived the 2nd World War, give the town a uniquely medieval skyline. The town is famous for its marzipan and many of the shops lining the cobbled streets offer this sweet delicacy in various forms. The Holsten Gate (Holstentor) an imposing red brick city gate that was once part of the original fortifications, is perhaps the town's most famous landmark as it once featured on the country's 50 Deutsch Mark banknotes.

You can opt to start cycling from Lübeck, and take on the whole 77 kms of today's ride, or you can take a short, commuter train ride (with you bike) to the nearby coastal town of Travemünde and start your ride from there - this knocks 20kms off the total distance.

Travemünde sits at the mouth of the river Trave on the Baltic Coast and is home to Germany's oldest lighthouse. A short ferry ride takes you across the Trave to the peninsula of Priwall on the other bank of the Trave - this narrow strip of land was once overlooked by watchtowers as it formed part of the iron curtain, separating East and West Germany.

You then begin to follow a lovely cycle path along the quiet and peaceful coastline for about 20 km. You pass through the Brooker Forest Nature Reserve along the way and eventually arrive in the small, seaside town of Bolthagen, which is a nice place to stop for some lunch. The route then continues around Wismar Bay on a well maintained cycle path, eventually delivering you to the lovely old town of Wismar itself. Take a stroll through the old town to the market square where you'll find a good selection of restaurants and bars.

The cycle path leads you out of Wismar and north to the small village of Strömkendorf, here you can opt to take the longer route (62km) and visit the small island of Pohl or carry on up the coast, directly to tonight's overnight stop in Kühlungsborn (42km). If you opt to visit Pohl and the weather is warm, then we recommend packing your swim things as you will cycle past some nice beaches.

From Pohl, the route continues up the baltic coast. The cycle path leads you through an idyllic, rural landscape, interspersed with a succession of small hamlets and villages. In Bastorf make a short detour to visit the old lighthouse - the climb to the top of the tower is rewarded with some great views. You will spend the night in the coastal resort of Kühlungsborn or in a town nearby.

Today, you follow the cycle path beside the Baltic Sea to Heiligendamm, Germany's oldest and grandest seaside resort. A little further on you ride through the atmospheric ghost forest (Gespenster Wald) near Nienhagen. Continue along the lovely coastal path for another 10km to the bustling port of Warnemünde. The town boasts the widest, sandy beach on the German Baltic so, if it's hot, you might want to factor in some beach time here.

The route then follows the Unterwarnow estuary inland to the lovely old town of Rostock. Be sure to take time to explore the charming cobbled streets of the old-town that eventually deliver you to the beautiful market square.

You will spend the night in either Warnemünde or Rostock.

A short ferry ride transfers you across the mouth of the Unterwarnow estuary to the Hohe Düne yacht harbour. You then follow a cycle path, first along the beach for a short distance, before turning inland and entering an extensive heathland known as Rostocker Heide. After 20 km of blissful, peaceful cycling through this protected area you arrive in the small charming town of Ribnitz Damgarten that sits on the shore of the Saaler lagoon. We highly recommend a visit to the town's excellent Amber Museum and/or, on the outskirts of the town, a professional apiary invites you to learn more about the amazing lives of bees.

You will either spend the night in Ribnitz Damgarten, or back on the coast in the resort of Graal Muritzin or on the Fischland peninsula

Today you follow the Fischlander Weg, a lovely cycle path along the narrow strip of land between the Baltic Sea and the Saaler Boden lagoon. If the weather is fine then maybe allow some time for a swim from thelovely beach on your left land side.

You pass through the pleasant seaside villages of Wustrow and Ahrenshoop before turning inland and cycling through the extensive Darßer Wald forest - its full title is actually the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park. At the other end of the park you arrive in the small seaside town of Prerow which has a fabulous white sand beach and long wooden pier.

You will overnight here or in nearby Zingst or Barth.

Your final day's ride leads you along an idyllic cycle path, through small villages and rural farmland to the old Hanseatic town of Stralsund - journey's end. From some distance away you will already be able to see the spires of the old town's three churches. Check into your hotel and then get out to explore what this lovely old town has to offer. The Ozeaneum is an impressive aquarium/museum on the harbour-front with all manner of sea-life related exhibits. The town was one of the most prosperous in the medieval Hanseatic League and the streets of charming old town are lined with impressive red-brick gothic town-houses. The town's lovely Alte Markt (market square) is the perfect place to sit and toast completing your Baltic Coast adventure.

After breakfast it's time to head for home or your next adventure.