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Discover the natural beauty of former East Germany's dramatic landscape on an Elbe River cruise. Tour the opulent palaces of Saxon monarchs and stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens; sail between the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Germany's 'Saxon Switzerland.' Marvel at the baroque splendor of Dresden and see how Meissenware porcelain is produced. Walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther in historic Wittenberg and learn about the Protestant Reformation. Your journey is bookended by one night in multicultural Berlin and one night in graceful Prague. An elegant experience indeed.
Day 1 Prague
Welcome to Prague. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy free time to explore this dynamic city - or join our 'welcome walk' to stretch your legs and start getting oriented.
Day 2 Prague and Melnik
Tour Prague, 'City of a Hundred Spires.' Take a guided walk through Old Town; then, ride to Hradcany to tour inside Prague Castle. After some free time to have lunch and explore on your own, return to your hotel for check-out and transfer to Melnik to embark your ship. (B, D)
Day 3 Litomerice
Spend the morning cruising leisurely through the scenic area of Porta Bohemia on the Elbe. Arrive midafternoon in Litomerice, one of the prettiest towns in the Czech Republic. See St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Jesuit Church, historic Market Square and many residential buildings from the baroque, Renaissance and Gothic periods. The tour ends with a tasting of beers from this Bohemian region. Dine aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Saxon Switzerland
This morning, cruise through the magnificent, soaring rock formations of the Saxon Switzerland region, then dock at the spa town of Bad Schandau. From here we make our way to the famous rock tower known as the Bastei (bastion), formed by water a million years ago, to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Elbe. Return to your ship for dinner and evening cruising. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Dresden
Embark on a tour of Dresden, nicknamed 'Florence on the Elbe.' Drive through the 19th-century residential area to the Dresden Castle complex; enter the Green Vault to see a comprehensive collection of the Saxon monarchs' crown jewels. Continue on foot to see Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) with its distinctive bell-shaped dome, which survived the World War II bombings but collapsed the following day and was later rebuilt.
Enjoy some free time to explore more of Dresden, or join an optional painting class and create your own portrait of this lovely city. Dinner is served during evening departure. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Meissen and Torgau
This morning, arrive in Meissen. Visit the Meissenware factory, which has produced fine porcelain since the early 1700s. See firsthand how this trademarked porcelain is created and tour the museum. Proceed to Castle Hill for a walking tour through the Old Town. Return aboard for lunch and an afternoon departure.
Later, arrive in Torgau with its wonderful Renaissance houses. Join your Program Director for an evening stroll to see fortified Hartenfels Castle, Market Square and the riverside monument commemorating the historic 1945 meeting between Russian and American troops. Your ship remains docked overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Wittenberg
Today you cruise the Elbe and arrive after lunch in Wittenberg, birthplace of the Reformation. Follow in Martin Luther's footsteps to view many of Wittenberg's historic landmarks. Tour inside Luther's House and St. Marien's Church, where he preached. See the Castle Church where Luther posted his 95 Theses; then explore on your own - as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Return to your ship for dinner or stay in town if you prefer; we remain docked until the very early morning, so you can take an evening stroll if you like. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Dessau and Magdeburg
Arrive this morning in Dessau. Take a journey to Worlitz Park, Germany's first landscaped park with English-style gardens. Tour inside Worlitz Castle, fashioned after an English country home, and walk the grounds. Take free time to see more of Dessau's palaces and parks, or take an optional tour to see the Bauhaus College and some of the modernist structures by architects like Walter Gropius and Carl Fieger - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to your ship for lunch aboard and an afternoon departure. Dine aboard as we sail toward Magdeburg, where we dock for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Potsdam and Berlin
After breakfast, disembark and travel to Potsdam, historic capital of the German state of Brandenburg. Tour either Sanssouci Palace, a perfect example of German rococo architecture, or the nearby 200-room baroque New Palace - both built by Prussian King Frederick the Great in the 18th century. After lunch on your own, we proceed to the dynamic German capital of Berlin. Check in to your hotel and take the rest of the day to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 10 Berlin
After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your return flight. Or, extend your journey with 2 additional nights in fascinating Berlin, giving you time to see more of the city's highlights. (B) |
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