From Berlin to Prague: Cruise on the Elbe and Vltava Rivers (port-to-port cruise)

We'll leave by coach for an excursion to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, a range straddling the border between the state of Saxony in Southeastern Germany and the North Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. The most striking characteristic of this deeply dissected rocky mountain range is the extraordinary variety of terrain within the small area. The river Elbe runs through the mountain range in a steep and narrow valley, and the hills are dotted with châteaux such as the Königstein Fortress and Hohnstein Castle. We'll visit the Königstein Fortress, dating back beyond the 13th century. Because the fortress was regarded as unconquerable, the Saxon monarchs retreated to it during times of crisis and also deposited many works of art from the famous Zwinger here. In the 20th century, it was used as a prison, a prisoner of war camp, and after the wars, a re-education camp for delinquent youths who did not fit the image of a socialist society. The location offers magnificent views of the Elbe River and the surrounding mountain ranges. After our tour, we'll return on board our ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

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.

Join us for a guided tour of the city known as the "Florence of the Elbe”. Dresden offers a wide variety of attractions, including magnificent promenades on the bank of the Elbe, fascinating museums, monuments, and charming details. Our visit will begin with a panoramic tour, where you'll get an overview of the most important must-see sights: the Altmarkt Square, German Hygiene Museum (exteriors only), Baroque Quarter, Transparent Factory (VW) and soccer stadium.
We'll then visit the historical old city on foot, passing in front of the Zwinger, Semper Opera House, cathedral, Royal Palace, Brühl Terrace, and Neumarkt Square.
After some free time on your own, we'll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave from our ship for a guided tour of Litomerice. This royal city on the confluence of the Elbe and Ohre is one of the most beautiful in the Czech Republic. The extensive historical center has dozens of streets and squares. The colorful Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance buildings bordered to a great extent by well-preserved Gothic fortifications will delight you. Karel Hynek Mácha, the greatest Czech romantic poet, also succumbed to the charm of Litomerice. A delightful glass at the nearby Velké Zernoseky winery will certainly make your walk through the city all the more pleasant.
Allow yourself to be enchanted by the rare architecture of the houses on the squares: the Saxon Renaissance town hall, the "Kalich” House with a roof terrace where the rich townsfolk used to meet over a glass of wine, and the "Cerný orel” House, which has preserved its original appearance with wonderful sgraffito work. There are also countless important churches such as the Gothic Church of All Saints with its Renaissance broach roofs, the Church of the Annunciation of the Lady Mary representing the pinnacle of work by the Italian architect Antonio Octavio Broggio and the Baroque Cathedral of St. Stephen, which was built by Domenico Orsi. Our visit will be followed by a beer tasting*. After our tour, we'll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

We'll leave from our ship for a guided tour of Meissen. The city is famous for its porcelain, based on extensive local deposits of both china and potter's clay. Meissen is sometimes known as the "cradle of Saxony". Its historical district is located mostly around the market at the foot of the castle hill and contains many Renaissance-style buildings, as well as two Late-Gothic buildings: the town hall and the Frauenkirche. The Frauenkirche tower hosts the world's first porcelain carillon, manufactured in 1929 on the occasion of the town's 1000-year jubilee.
After touring the city, we'll visit the porcelain factory. The intricacy of the figures and sculptures and the perfection of the hand-painted patterns are the things that underscore this magnificent form of art. In the museum, you'll take an enticing journey through more than 300 years of porcelain history. After some free time on your own, we'll return to the ship in Dresden.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• During the excursion, our boat will cruise.
• 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.

We'll leave on a guided tour of the Hradcany, or Castle District, in Prague. The city center is divided into five areas, spanning both banks of the Vltava River, and Prague Castle is the most prominent tourist attraction. Set on a hill, it affords visitors fine views over the whole city.
Founded in 880 AD, it is the largest medieval castle in Europe and was once the seat of the Kings of Bohemia. Today, the President of the Czech Republic rules from here. The Prague Castle complex covers over 7 hectares (18 acres) and has three large courtyards. Destructive wars and fires (and the subsequent renovations), along with differing political forces, have resulted in an intriguing mix of palaces, churches, great halls, state apartments, a monastery, viewing towers, fortifications, museums and art galleries. You'll get to discover, among other sights, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace with its Vladislav Hall, St. George's Basilica and the famous Golden Lane. We'll return on board after our visit.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic as well as the fourteenth largest city in the European Union. It is located in the north-west of the country on the Vltava River, and is home to about 1.26 million people.

Located at the very heart of Central Europe, Prague was once the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Holy Roman Empire and Czechoslovakia. The “City of a Hundred Spires” was miraculously spared during World War II and its architecture, mixing Pre-Romanesque, Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, Art Nouveau and Cubist styles, gives Prague its unique flavor. The city was deeply marked by the 1968 Prague Spring–the short-lived season of the “socialism with a human face” aiming at the renovation of institutions in a democratic way–which strongly inspired Czechoslovak culture from the 60s to the 80s. Prague’s historic city center was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.

We’ll have a guided walk in the old city starting with the Old Town Square–the busiest area in Prague–and its beautiful archways. We’ll see Jan Hus Memorial, built in honor of this church reformer who was burned at the stake for heresy in 1415, as well as the Old Town Hall and its fascinating astronomical clock featuring the hourly show of figures of the Apostles striking the time, the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, the Ungelt and the merchants’ yard. We’ll also get to admire the Municipal House, the city's foremost Art Nouveau building, and one of the finest in Europe, as well as the Powder Gate, one of the original 13 entrances to Prague's Old Town. We’ll return on board after our visit.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave from our ship for a guided tour of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Lutherstadt Wittenberg is the home town of Dr. Martin Luther, the Great Reformer, and the city is affectionately known as the "Cradle of the Reformation”. You'll discover the city center and its noble Renaissance-style houses. Everywhere you turn, there's a spot associated with Martin Luther's life, and various sites throughout the city were added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1996. A stream runs along the main street, partially underground. Half way along, the street opens out into an attractive square, or Markt, with a statue of Luther and Philip Melanchthon, his collaborator.
The Castle Church is the famous church where he nailed his 95 Theses to the door. Luther gave some of his sermons in this church and now is buried just under the pulpit. The church was severely damaged twice during wars in the centuries following the Reformation, but it was rebuilt each time. We'll also visit Luther's house (1). Part of the Augustinian monastery in which Luther lived, first as a monk and later as owner with his wife and family, is preserved and considered to be the world's premier museum dedicated to Luther, including a permanent exhibition about the time of the Reformation. At the end of the afternoon, we'll return to the ship by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• During the excursion, our boat will cruise.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• (1) If the Luther House is unavailable, it will be replaced by a tour of Wittenberg Castle Church.