Lernidee Trains & Cruises

02/04/2025

Easy-going e-bike journeys: Belvelo goes international 🚲💚

You know our motto: Great trains - Small ships. Well, in the German-speaking market we’ve been known for e-bike journeys for a decade now. And this year, for the first time, we have published a brochure for international guests, showcasing our absolute bestsellers: Morocco, Andalusia, and Lake Garda by e-bike! All tours are led by experienced, English-speaking guides.

Lernidee’s Belvelo brand has been successful in pioneering e-bike tours exploring the world’s most beautiful countries. Belvelo journeys are perfect for travelers who like to be a little active during their vacation. In addition to breathtaking bike routes, Belvelo tours also focus on culinary discoveries and authentic encounters with locals along the way.

The novelty of this concept, apart from our state-of-the-art e-bikes: Groups of no more than 14 guests travel to beautiful places with an accompanying van. There, they start their e-bike tours on stunning bike routes of at most 35 miles length—and if they don’t feel like cycling, there’s always a seat for them in the van.

ℹ️ www.trains-and-cruises.com/brochures
📸 Portugal by Lisa von Bischopinck

26/03/2025

Guide Training in Tashkent: Elevating Travel Experiences 🚆

Recently, 21 dedicated tour guides from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan gathered in Tashkent for an intensive training session with Jakob Rastetter, Matthias G. Palm, and Daria Seiler. Over two days, they focused on collaboration, hands-on learning, and refining their skills—all with the goal of further enhancing the quality of our guided tours.

📌 Day 1: Theory & Methodology
▪️ Understanding guest expectations—what makes a journey truly unforgettable?
▪️ Interactive workshops on professionalism, conflict resolution, and guiding techniques
▪️ The importance of teamwork in delivering exceptional travel experiences

📌 Day 2: Practical Training Aboard a Special Train
No Lernidee event without a train! 🚆 In a specially arranged private train with two original carriages and a dining car, participants applied their knowledge in real-life scenarios, delivered cultural presentations, and refined their guiding skills.

Alongside intensive learning, there was plenty of time for networking, fun, and culinary delights. 😊

A huge thank you to all participants for their enthusiasm and valuable contributions!

19/03/2025

Africa is full of contrasts: from endless savannahs and tropical rainforests to spectacular coastal landscapes. Our tours take you to the most impressive places - in comfort and with unforgettable experiences. 💚

Find out more:
www.trains-and-cruises.com/train-journeys/explore-africa

📸 Rovos Rail Tours, Torsten Ruppert (Rovos Rail), Dennis Schmelz (African Explorer)

11/03/2025

Lernidee receives Travelife Partner Status! 🙌

Sustainability is a journey – and we’ve reached an important milestone: Lernidee Erlebnisreisen has officially been awarded Travelife Partner status at ITB! 💚

This recognition highlights our commitment to responsible travel and marks the first step toward the next level: Travelife Certification, which we aim to achieve by ITB 2026.

Why Travelife for Tour Operators? Because of its holistic approach: ecological, social, and economic sustainability are equally important. Whether it's prioritizing train travel, collaborating with local partners, or implementing sustainable office practices – we have been dedicated to meaningful travel experiences for nearly 40 years.

A big thank you to our sustainability/CSR team for their dedication and the valuable discussions at ITB.

👉 www.lernidee.de/service/unser-team/teams/nachhaltigkeit-csr.html

07/03/2025

What an ITB Berlin! 🚀

Three days filled with connections, inspiration, and exciting conversations. We reunited with long-time partners, made new contacts, closed deals, and gathered great ideas – but most importantly: we discovered countless new opportunities to further develop our business in the most beautiful industry in the world.

Now we can continue making our guests' travel dreams come true for another 40 years! ❤️

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by – for the valuable exchange, the shared visions, and the unforgettable moments. The future is bright!

27/02/2025

Quick reminder, we're looking forward to seeing you at ITB Berlin! 👇

To all our partners: We probably don’t need to tell you that the tourism business year is packed with events. And with every one of them, there’s the annual surprise about how quickly time has flown by.

That’s how we feel about the ITB Berlin, our home game in Berlin. The whole tourism industry will be present in the German capital from March 4 to March 6, and of course, our staff and our booth, held in the style of comfy train compartments, will be present at this highlight of our year. We’re looking forward to meetings both entertaining and productive as well to as illuminating conversations with you, our business partners from all over the globe.

Come visit us and tell us about your plans and ideas. Of course, we also have a truckload of new information for you about our journeys on big trains and small ships. We’d love to talk to you over a nice, hot cup of coffee.

It’ll be great to see you again! So, don’t hesitate and make an appointment with us right now by sending an email to [email protected].

We can't wait! 🤩

26/02/2025

The operation of our international journeys makes it possible for us not only to acknowledge our responsibility but to do something about it as well.

Since the foundation of Lernidee in 1986, the company’s founder, Hans Engberding —who had a company bike instead of a company car — had placed great importance on conducting business in an environmentally friendly, socially just and sustainable way.

And we carry on his torch. 🔥

Find out more on: https://www.trains-and-cruises.com/lernidee/our-responsibility

19/02/2025

Experience Africa by rail – in an exclusive private train! 🦁🚂

A safari with a difference: Travel in style and comfort through Africa’s breathtaking landscapes, observe wildlife up close, and take in stunning panoramas from your climate-controlled private train. Looking for a truly special journey? We have two exceptional options for you.

🌿 Embark on a grand tour with Rovos Rail:
The legendary vintage train takes your clients on an epic 6,000 km rail adventure from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam, crossing five fascinating countries: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Tanzania. A once-in-a-lifetime experience in an elegant setting!

🐘 African Explorer – the rolling safari hotel:
This exclusive train combines authentic safari experiences with great comfort. It travels through the stunning landscapes between Cape Town and Namibia, where vast desert scenery, diverse wildlife, and unforgettable sunsets await.

👉 Find out more: https://www.trains-and-cruises.com/train-journeys/explore-africa

Who has an African rail journey on their bucket list? 💬

📸 Thomas Ryan Space, Rovos Rail Tours, Dennis Schmelz, stock.adobe.com: Rajiv & Johannes

12/02/2025

1,000 miles on the Amazon: The ultimate rainforest adventure awaits! 🌿🚢

At Lernidee, we don’t just offer trips — we craft experiences that stay with you forever. And this Amazon River journey is the epitome of adventure! Starting in 2026, your clients can embark on this extraordinary expedition as FIT travelers—an unforgettable voyage into the heart of the Brazilian rainforest aboard the boutique MS Jangada.

For 13 days, this exclusive river cruise takes travelers deep into the Amazon, covering 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of untamed wilderness—from the tri-border of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia to hidden corners of the jungle where nature thrives. Expect wildlife encounters straight out of a nature documentary: caimans gliding past, flocks of parrots filling the sky at dusk, pink-gray Amazon dolphins surfacing beside the ship, and visits to indigenous communities that have called the rainforest home for generations.

🛳️ Adventure meets comfort:
With just 24 guests on board, the MS Jangada blends expedition spirit with boutique luxury. Built in 2019, the vessel features four cabin types, all air-conditioned with private bathrooms—your floating haven in the heart of the wild. And the cuisine? Locally sourced, freshly prepared, and utterly delicious—a rare treat in the depths of the jungle!

📍 Explore more & plan ahead:
🔗 Journey details: https://www.trains-and-cruises.com/en/journey/brazilian-amazon-adventure-an-exclusive-river-cruise-2911/

Could this be your clients’ next great adventure? Let’s talk: [email protected]

📸 Dennis Schmelz

04/02/2025

Dreaming of exploring untouched wilderness, marveling at breathtaking ice landscapes, and spotting rare wildlife in its natural habitat? Then join us on two exclusive comfort expeditions:

🚢 Spitsbergen – Expedition into the Polar Sea (08.07.25 – 20.07.25):
Travel deep into Europe’s greatest wilderness aboard the small expedition ship MS Plancius (only 50 cabins). Keep an eye out for polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, and whales as you soak in the vastness of the Arctic.

🐧 Antarctica – Expedition Cruise to the 7th Continent (07.03.26 – 22.03.26):
A true adventure: Massive glaciers, colossal icebergs, and an incredible variety of wildlife, from penguins and seals to whales, await you aboard the MS Ocean Albatros. Experience the magic of Antarctica on a once-in-a-lifetime journey!

📍 Limited departures – learn more by contacting is via [email protected]

Which adventure calls to you more – the Arctic or Antarctica? Let us know in the comments! ❄️👇

📸 Albatros Expeditions – Yuri Choufour & Wenyan Wang, MS Plancius by Gerard Regle, stock.adobe.com: Josef (polar bear)

28/01/2025

To all our partners: We probably don’t need to tell you that the tourism business year is packed with events. And with every one of them, there’s the annual surprise about how quickly time has flown by.

That’s how we feel about the ITB Berlin, our home game in Berlin. The whole tourism industry will be present in the German capital from March 4 to March 6, and of course, our staff and our booth, held in the style of comfy train compartments, will be present at this highlight of our year. We’re looking forward to meetings both entertaining and productive as well to as illuminating conversations with you, our business partners from all over the globe.

Come visit us and tell us about your plans and ideas. Of course, we also have a truckload of new information for you about our journeys on big trains and small ships. We’d love to talk to you over a nice, hot cup of coffee.

It’ll be great to see you again! So, don’t hesitate and make an appointment with us right now by sending an email to [email protected].

We can't wait! 🤩

21/01/2025

Collaborating for Unique Journeys and Sustainability – 4th Chief Tour Guide Meeting in Berlin 🤝

On January 9, 2025, we had the pleasure of welcoming 18 of our chief tour guides from across Europe to Berlin. Under the theme “How do we create the perfect journey? What role does the tour guide play in fulfilling a traveler’s dream, and how can the tour operator provide support?” we exchanged experiences, shared updates from Lernidee, and worked in workshops and training sessions to enhance our trips and operations. The workshop was led by Matthias Palm, an experienced tour guide and former head of tour guide management at a travel company.

A key part of the day was the working groups between our tour guides and product management. In these focused discussions, we explored improvements, innovations, and challenges to ensure we maintain the high-quality standards of our journeys.

Another important focus was sustainability: For many years, Lernidee has supported social projects in our travel destinations with monetary and material donations, such as bicycles for schoolgirls in Namibia or educational materials in Laos. Together with our partners atmosfair and Travelife for Tour Operators, we are expanding this commitment. Our tour guides provide invaluable insights into current issues and local projects, which helps us refine our efforts. We look forward to fostering this exchange even further in the future.

The productive day concluded with a relaxed Italian dinner – a wonderful way to celebrate teamwork and our shared passion for extraordinary travel experiences.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants who made this meeting so enriching and to our colleagues Felix Willeke, Nurlan Mukash, Jakob Rastetter, Laura Wertsch, Martina Germanova, and Matthias Palm for their contributions and excellent preparations! ❤️🙏

16/01/2025

The people along the banks of the Mekong River play a huge role in making our river cruises not just happy journeys but especially memorable ones. 💗

We’re welcomed in a singularly warm-hearted way everywhere we go—that’s as true for our guests as it is for our local team. That’s why we don’t just want to float past the villages waving nicely but say thank you in a meaningful manner.

Currently, we’re partnering with experts from the Luang Prabang Public Library: Our collaborative project uses our guests’ donations to purchase bookshelves, textbooks, and workbooks for the village schools along the Mekong River. The project was met with great enthusiasm by teachers and students alike. Our goal is to fill the new shelves more and more over the coming years. 📚📖📔

13/01/2025

A wonderful start to the year at Lernidee Trains & Cruises ❄️

Last week, a large part of our team from various locations gathered in Berlin for strategic discussions, inspiring training sessions, and a heartwarming winter celebration. 🌟

The highlight of the day was a snowy hike through the Grunewald forest, leading to the historic Teufelsberg listening station—an iconic site that holds special meaning for us. Back in 1986, during the Cold War era, Lernidee’s journey began with a Russian language course aboard the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, organised by our founder, Hans Engberding. 🛤️

In the evening, we rounded off the day with a cosy goose dinner, celebrating what unites us: a shared passion for creating unforgettable train, cruise and adventure journeys that inspire and connect. 🚢🚂

Here’s to a successful and adventurous 2025! ❤️

07/01/2025

We have exciting news! 🌟

Galapagos PRO, the specialist in tailor-made travel to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, is now part of Lernidee Erlebnisreisen. This partnership combines the strengths of both companies to offer even more extraordinary experiences, especially for individual travelers.

Beate Zwermann, founder of Galapagos PRO, shares:
"I greatly value the entrepreneurial spirit of the management, the creative energy of the Lernidee team, and our shared commitment to shaping the world of travel sustainably and respectfully. Lernidee provides the perfect foundation to create synergies and expand our offerings for travelers — even beyond Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands."

CEO Nurlan Mukash encapsulates it perfectly:
"Galapagos PRO is a perfect addition to our portfolio. Thanks to the expertise and network of the Galapagos PRO team in Frankfurt, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands, we can achieve our shared goal of making travel dreams come true even more effectively."

CEO Felix Willeke adds:
"We look forward to working with Beate and her team to expand our South America business. This partnership will open exciting opportunities for both our customers and our teams."

We’re thrilled to embark on this journey together with Beate Zwermann and her team to create unique travel experiences for our customers worldwide.

01/01/2025

Exploring the new year together! 🚂🚢

We wish you a happy new year full of adventures, experiences and unforgettable moments and look forward to accompanying you and your guests on their travels in 2025 ❤️

📸 Amazon Rainforest by Dennis Schmelz (www.dennisschmelz.de)

24/12/2024

Happy holidays and a great start to the new year from the whole team at Lernidee Trains & Cruises! 💙🚂🛳️

18/12/2024

In 2025, experience Spain in style with our "Spanish Symphony" journey from Santiago de Compostela to Seville 🎶🚂

Offer your clients a unique way to discover Spain’s beauty—aboard a luxurious train! The Spanish Symphony is a 10-day journey combining the elegance of rail travel with stays in handpicked hotels for an unforgettable exploration of Spain’s cultural and natural wonders.

What makes this journey special?
🚆 A 5-night train journey aboard the iconic Al Ándalus, traveling from Santiago de Compostela to Seville in style and comfort.
🏨 4 nights in premium hotels, offering the perfect blend of luxury and local charm.
🌟 Guided tours to landmarks like Seville's Alcázar and Cathedral, Toledo’s old town, and the stunning Sil Canyon in Galicia.
🍷 Exceptional cuisine throughout, featuring regional specialties, onboard fine dining, and delicious wine tastings.
🎭 Onboard entertainment and a relaxed, elegant ambiance to unwind after each day’s adventures.

Perfect for clients seeking a seamless mix of luxury, cultural immersion, and relaxed travel.

📩 Find out more or secure bookings for your clients!
https://www.trains-and-cruises.com/en/journey/spanish-symphony-2845/

📸 Al Ándalus by J. Alonso, Exquisite culinary delights by Alberto G. Puras, stock.adobe.com: Tibidabo mountain in Barcelona by tan4ikk, Alhambra in Granada by Jose Ignacio Soto, Traditional Portuguese ameijoas with clams served in a cataplana pot by poco_bw