From Amsterdam to Berlin (port-to-port cruise)

Departure for a tour of Amsterdam by riverboat. With your guide, we'll glide further into this "Venice of the North” along the renowned Amsterdam canals, providing an ideal vantage point on the city's wonderful architecture. Our tour will take us through the four large canals surrounding the center - the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel canals. The Singel river was transformed into a canal in the 14th century to become part of the city's defensive belt, while the other three were conceived at the beginning of the Golden Age as a means to expand the city. Construction started in 1560 and lasted for more than a hundred years. The historical center is now surrounded by those four canals, parallel to one another. Shaped in half-moons, they follow the sun rays making sure that each and every house gets direct sunlight at some point during the day. When looking at a city map, Amsterdam resembles a half-bicycle wheel. Enjoy some free time in the city. Return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• Depending on the docking location in the port of Amsterdam, the duration of the excursion may vary.

We'll leave by coach from Berlin-Spandau with a local guide who will help us discover the history, monuments and fascinating facets of this particularly historic city. We'll travel up the 17th of June Street to see the famous Victory Column, the Bismarck Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building with its steel and glass cupola. We'll then arrive at the renowned Unter den Linden and head to Museum Island—a complex of five internationally significant museums that occupy the island's northern part—including the Pergamon Museum, and the Alte Nationalgalerie. Beyond Museum Island are the modern Alexanderplatz and its famous Fernsehturm (Berlin TV Tower). You'll be able to go through Checkpoint Charlie, the symbol of the Cold War and passage between the American and Soviet zones during this time. This might seem like just a glance, but you'll be able to discover the monuments that make Berlin one of the most cultural cities in Europe.

PLEASE NOTE

• The tour primarily takes place in a coach with stops for photos.
• Depending on the tour guide, there can be small steps to climb, and the order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach for Magdeburg where we will meet up with local guides.
Magdeburg was once the cradle of the German nation. The first Germanic Holy Roman Emperor, Otto the Great, had an imposing cathedral built here and made the town into an archbishopric. Magdeburg became a center for Western Christianity and the High Court of judicial power in the Middle Ages.
We'll begin our tour with the Magdeburg Cathedral, home to the tomb of Emperor Otto I the Great. Magdeburg is a Hanseatic city located midway on the Elbe River and the Roman Roads—in the heart of Germany rich with a multi-faceted history. Its other sacred monuments include the Magdalenekapelle, St. Petrikirche, Wallonerkirche, Monastery of Our Lady and St. John's Church. We'll continue our panoramic tour by seeing the city's main monuments, including the citadel. Once located in East Germany, the city has retained its grey, square, Soviet-style buildings which are embellished today with molding and decorations. We'll visit the marketplace to see the magnificent replica of the Magdeburger Reiter, as well as the town hall and its bronze door. You'll finish up the tour with some free time on your own.

PLEASE NOTE

• Beware! Depending on the water level of the Elbe river, the boat could stop at the lock of Rothensee instead of mooring in Magdeburg.
• Return to the boat will be on foot or by coach depending on water level.
• The boat will sail during the excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave by coach with our guide for Volendam, a charming village that has preserved its character for over six centuries thanks to the tough vitality of its fishermen. We'll then visit a cheese factory in the area to discover how the famous Gouda cheese is made. We'll enjoy tasting the different flavors and ages available of one of the most popular cheeses in the world. We'll then head for Zaanse Schans, an open air museum with wooden windmills, barns, and houses. Take a walk through the stunning buildings and the unique peat landscape or watch traditional clog making techniques. Don't miss the small but impressive clog museum that features one of the largest and most attractive collections of wooden shoes in the Netherlands: painted, carved, ice clogs with iron trimmings, horse clogs, and decorative clogs. Take advantage of some free time on this excursion to indulge in authentic Dutch traditions. We'll return to our ship in Amsterdam by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended: guided visit on foot at Volendam and Zaanse Schans.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure with your guide to visit the historic center of this Hanseatic city.
One of the oldest German maritime cities, Bremen was granted the right to hold market as early as 965 and joined the Hanseatic League in 1358. It became a Free Imperial City in 1646 and established a direct commercial relationship with the USA in 1783. Traditionally, the city is known for its cotton and coffee trade and forms, together with its Bremerhaven fore-port, an incredibly unified Land.
Our visit will start with the working-class district of Schnoor, located on the banks of the Weser River. This is the oldest district in Bremen and its narrow streets filled with small half-timbered houses and a big Church form a charming ensemble. The neighborhood owes its name to old handicrafts associated with shipping, and the alleys between the houses were often associated with occupations or objects. There was an area in which ropes and cables were produced, giving the district its name (string = Schnoor).
We'll continue towards Marktplatz where you'll get to see St Peter's Cathedral and the wonderful City Hall in Weser Renaissance style. Also standing on Marktplatz is the 1404 statue of Roland, protector of the city, the oldest in Germany. Bremen is also famous for another statue located right behind the City Hall - the Town Musicians of Bremen. The statue depicts a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster with respect to the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale. Don't forget to make a wish!
Our visit ends after a walk down the Böttcherstrasse, a street famous for its unusual architectural ensemble belonging to a variant of the expressionist style. We'll pass the entrance gate with its impressive golden fresco depicting the Lichtbringer, Bringer of Light.
Free time and return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach from Berlin Spandau accompanied by your guides.
The visit will begin with a stroll through the palace gardens, followed by free time to discover the New Wing of Charlottenburg Palace at your own pace. You will be transported back to the era of the Kings of Prussia as you walk through the magnificent rooms of the palace…
First, the White Hall, which served as Frederick the Great’s audience chamber and dining room, then the Great Gallery, richly decorated with numerous allegories in gilded ornamentation, where you will be able to admire the finest decorative details of these fabulous rooms.
You will then be guided towards the Winter Apartments and the sumptuous bedroom of Queen Louise, where you will see period furniture partly designed by Schinkel.
You will also discover the library, and many other surprises await you in the remaining rooms of the palace.
Finally, you will leave the romantic atmosphere of the palace to return by coach to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The palace opens at 10 a.m. Hence, passengers will visit the gardens first. The visit of the palace is done freely with a headset.
• Bags can be left in the luggage office.
• Passengers will visit one part of the palace: the New Wing or the Knobbelsdorf Wing.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach from the northern port of Hanover in the company of local guides to discover the capital of the Land of Lower Saxony. From the 17th century onwards, Hanover played a major role in politics. In 1714, the son of Ernst-August of Hanover became King of Great Britain under the name of George I, a personal union which was a considerable source of prestige for the principality of Hanover.
First of all you will pass alongside the famous Baroque Gardens of Herrenhausen before heading for the 18th century New City Hall, where your guides will explain Hanover's history with the help of four models showing the city at different times (1875, 1939, 1945 and today). You will continue with a panoramic city tour to see the main sights such as Niki de Saint Phalle's Nana statues on the banks of the Leine, the Maschsee - an artificial lake dug by unemployed workers on a job creation scheme in the 1930s - the Opera House, the Grand Theater, the ruins of the Aegidien Church bombed during the war and where the Peace Bell now hangs, and many more. You will stop for a stroll through the Old Town, to see the Market Church and its curiosities, the 15th century Old City Hall and Leibniz's House.
The visit ends at the bus station where our coach will drop you off and you'll bid your guide goodbye. Free time in the central station area and the modern city center.
Departure from Hanover to return on board at Hanover Anderten or Minden.

PLEASE NOTE

• Visit by coach with stops at the New City Hall and in the old town.
• The boat will sail during the excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach from the Papenburg lock towards Meyer Werft Shipyard. Founded in 1975, the shipyard has been owned and managed by the Meyer family for six generations. The first ships that were built there were small wooden vessels. Less than a hundred years later, the first iron ship was launched notwithstanding the other manufacturers mocking the idea, thinking that iron could not float. Meyer Werft gained international recognition through the construction of roll on/roll off ferries, passenger ferries, gasoline tankers, container ships, livestock ferries and most recently luxury cruise ships. Due to its upstream location on the river Ems, the giant ships to be delivered have to make a 36 km voyage to the Dollart.
A passionate guide will tell you all about the various stages in the construction of these floating sea monsters during your one and a half hour tour.
Return on board by coach after the Doerpen or Delfzijl locks.

PLEASE NOTE

• The boat will sail during the excursion.
• Visit entirely on foot in the shipyard buildings. Passengers will only see the shipyard from behind bay windows.
• Beware! Information is sometimes given in German (introduction film, notice boards etc.).
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach in the company of your hostess towards downtown Nienburg.
You'll be free to discover this beautiful little Lower Saxony town at your own pace. Nienburg is famous for its asparagus.
Charming little Nienburg was nicknamed "red town” after the red bricks most of the houses in the city center, St Martin Church and the streets were built and paved with, a style typical of northern Germany. You'll get to follow in the "bear's footsteps” down an educational pathway that was created by the tourist office, a chance for you to discover some of the town's monuments such as the Town Hall from Weser Renaissance, St Martin Church with a statue of Charlemagne standing before it as a reminder of his fight against the Celts in the region, the Kleine Nienburgerin, the bronze statue of a young child from a beloved folk song, and the former Post Office which ensured communication between the Kingdoms of Hanover and England.
Return on board in Stolzenau or Hoja.

PLEASE NOTE

• The boat will sail during the excursion.
• Passengers will visit the town on their own.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave by coach with local guides who will help you discover the history of Former Prussia and its illustrious monarchs. In Potsdam, the visit will begin with a walk through the gardens at the Sanssouci Palace. You'll walk the flower-lined pathways and staircases leading through the terraced garden to the residence of Frederick the Great, built between 1745 and 1747. The personal tastes of the king had such an influence on the design and the decoration of the palace that its style is often referred to as "Frederician Rococo”. Then, you will take a tour around the Sans Souci park by coach to admire its many and astonishing buildings.
We'll head back to downtown Potsdam for some free time in the Dutch district.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended: walk in the Sanssouci gardens with stairs to climb.
• The boat is sailing during the excursion (only in the Amsterdam-Berlin cruise).
• Beware! We'll only visit the gardens of the Sanssouci palace, with no further visit inside the palace.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.