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Berlin, Germany
Straddled by lakes on the east and west, this historic city offers a wealth of impressive sites including the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Charlottenburg Palace and the Reichstag. Berlin is a fascinating city of art, culture and tradition, straddling both the 19th and 20th centuries.
Potsdam
City Tour
Potsdam is one of Germany's cities where kings and emperors have left their vestiges in most impressive ways. An example of this is the world famous Baroque park of Sanssouci with its innumerable statues, fountains and pavilions as well as many charming castles, one of which you will visit. On the sightseeing tour you will pass the Dutch quarter, the Russian colony of Alexandrowka and the Castle Cecilienhof. Built in the style of an English country manor, it is now regarded as a memorial of the Potsdam Conference, the famous meeting of the three allied powers in 1945.
The excursion lasts about 4 hours.
The price is included in our 2+2 day hotel group package.
Magdeburg, Germany
Contrasts abound in this former East German City. From the magnificent Magdeburg cathedral, the oldest in Germany, to communist era construction, to the modern architecture of post reunification, the changing face of history is on display.
Magdeburg
City Tour
Massive destruction during World War II are the underlying reasons that today, Magdeburg is a city of architectural contrasts. Hardly in any other city, will you find such a striking contrast of precious Middle-Age monuments next to modern buildings. During a brief orientation tour through the city centre, you will see Middle-Age churches, beautifully renovated Baroque buildings as well as buildings dating back to Communist times and modern architecture after the reunification. You will make a stop at the historical Old Market where you will see the Baroque city hall, the famous 'Magdeburger Reiter' (Horseman of Magdeburg) (1240 A.D.), the oldest post-Antique free standing equestrian statue in Germany. Here, you will also find the Otto-von-Guericke Monument which commemorates one of Magdeburg's famous celebrities. Your next destination is the Romanesque monastery 'Unser Lieben Frauen' ('Our Dear Ladies') for an external visit. It is the oldest preserved building of this! city dating back to the 11 th century. Near the monastery, you will also see the cathedral of Magdeburg (1209), the first. Gothic sacred building on German soil. During an extensive tour of the interior of the cathedral, you will see the famous display of the 'Foolish and the Wise Virgins', the tomb of emperor Otto as well as the remains of the crypt of the cathedral dating back to Ottonian times which was built in the 10th century at the same location. Before you return to the vessel, you Will drive to the city park on an island in the middle of the Elbe River. From here you will have a wonderful view onto the monastery and the cathedral. Please understand that during Christian holidays or worship services, a visit to the cathedral is not possible. Alternatively, you will have the opportunity for an interior visit of the monastery.
The excursion lasts about 3 hours.
Optional Tour Cost: 24,00 €
Wittenberg, Germany
Follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther in the birthplace of the Reformation. The highlights of the city tour will be St. Marien church, where Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses, and the tour of the Luther House museum. You may also choose an excursion to Worlitz Park, one of the most scenic in all of Europe.
Wittenberg
In The Footsteps Of Martin Luther City Of The Reformator
After a brief bus ride from the pier to the historic city centre you will get to know the Luthercity, Wittenberg. Martin Luther lived and preached here. You first visit the newly renovated Lutherhouse, where the reformer lived and worked for 38 years (1508 - 1546). During the tour through the recently completely revised exhibition you can view more than 1000 original exhibits and thus experience the most important highlights of his life and work. During the following city tour, you visit the church of St. Marien featuring the famous Reformation altar of Lucas Cranach the Elder and the castle church. On its door, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther allegedly posted his 95 Theses, "Against the Abuse of the Indulgence Trade". Unfortunately the original "Thesis Door" no longer exists. It was destroyed in the disastrous fire of 1760 along with all but half of the foundation of the church. The present door is cast in bronze and weighs 2,200 pounds. It was dedicated in 1858 and is overlaid with the original Latin version of the 95 theses. Worth seeing are also the market square with the historical city hall, that Cranach houses, the Beyerhof and the Melanchthon house, which will also be toured as part of the this excursion.
The excursion lasts about 3.5 hours. Optional Tour Cost: 34,00 €
Meissen, (Meißen),Germany
Albrechtsburg Castle proudly stands watch over this lovely city where world famous Meissen porcelain has been produced since the 1700’s. Choose the excursion and tour the porcelain workshop where you’ll see craftsmen mould this “White Gold” into true works of art. Later you may also visit the castle and Gothic cathedral.
Meißen
Meissen and Moritzburg
Meißen enjoys a world wide reputation as the city of the 'Blue Swords', the sign of the Meissen porcelain manufactory. August the Strong built the first European porcelain manufacture in 1710 for Johann Friedrich Boettger in the Meißner Albrecht castle. Until 1863, the famous Meissner china was produced here, since 1864, the plant is at a new facility at Triebischtal. Since the founding of the first porcelain factory, Meissen has gained a worldwide reputation as the 'City of the Blue Swords'. In order to keep the secret of production well protected, August the Strong decided to build the original plant within the strong walls of Albrecht Castle. From 1710 - 1863, the Meissen porcelain was produced at this location. In 1864, the production was moved to the State Porcelain factory in Triebischtal where it remained to this day. You will learn about the production of the manufactured 'White Gold'. There is enough time to see some of the most beautiful pieces of art in the showroom which were produced during the centuries of traditional crafting. During an extensive tour through the show workshop, you can observe the manufacturing of the 'White Gold' as this noble china is also called. You will then have the opportunity to admire the most beautiful pieces that were crafted over the last centuries that are on exhibition in the show room.
Afterwards, you will visit the castle hill with the Gothic cathedral (1260) and Albrecht Castle (929). During a 30-minute stay you will have the opportunity to explore the cathedral or the rooms of the castle on your own (admission fees are not included in the excursion price) or you can simply enjoy the beautiful view over the old town and the surrounding Saxon vineyards. A walk past beautiful Baroque era and Renaissance houses will then lead you to the market square where you will have some time at leisure. At the famous wine restaurant Vincenz Richter you can then enjoy a snack and a good glass of Meißen wine which is famous well beyond the area of Saxony. Enroute back to the vessel, you will make a brief stop at Moritzburg hunting lodge which is beautifully located in the nature reserve of the Moritzburg lakes. After an opportunity to see the castle on the outside, you will drive to Dresden and re-board your vessel.
The excursion lasts about 4.5 hours. Includes snack.
Optional Tour Cost: 45,00 €
Dresden, Germany
This wondrous city is once again a jewel on the Elbe. Enjoy the beautiful architecture including the Semper Opera House, the baroque Zwinger Palace and the huge Church of Our Lady. The magnificent Green Vault with its exquisite collection of jeweled object and the Moritzburg Hunting Lodge and Palace are unforgettable.
Dresden
City Tour
'Florence of the Elbe' and 'Venice of the East' are two of the poetic names for the city of Dresden. A coach tour leads around the Great Garden, Dresden's largest park facility, before you pass the VW plant and reach the bridge 'Blue Wonder'. From the bridge you can see the so-called Elbe castles located beautifully on the hillside of the Elbe bend, Eckberg Castle, Ungner Castle and Albrechtsberg Castle. Afterwards you explore the enchanting old town during a one-hour guided walk. Directly at the Theater Square, you find the Semper Opera House. The two-story, arc-shaped arcade building in the style of the Italian High Renaissance receives its special mark through the bronze quadriga by Johannes Schilling. The Zwinger Palace (Zwinger means outer ward in German) is located right next to it. It is one of the most beautiful Baroque era buildings of Europe and is considered the most famous architectural masterpiece in Dresden. After visiting the inner courtyard of the Zwinger Palace you proceed to the Royal Mews, which was once the scene of chivalrous games and tournaments. Probably one of the most famous Dresden sights is the 'Procession of Princes' on the north wall of the Royal Mews. Over a length of 120 meters, a parade of 35 Saxon princes and kings is depicted on 24,000 tiles of Meissen porcelain. Wilhelm Walter created the original frieze in 1876. It was transferred to the porcelain tiles between 1904 and 1907. You continue your walk to the Frauenkirche (Church ofQur Lady). For decades it stood in ruins as a memorial of the bombings during WWII. Today, the reconstruction, which is supposed to be finished this year, is well on its way and the church can be seen in an advanced building stage. Before returning to the vessel, you pass through the modern part of Dresden where you see the Golden Horseman and drive along the famous Koenigstrasse.
The excursion lasts about 3 hours
Optional Tour Cost: 29,00 €
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Dresden
Green Vault - Art Treasures on the Banks of the River Elbe
The city of Dresden boast~ excellent examples of European art and cultural history. A stroll takes you from the pier to the "Zwinger", one of the most significant baroque buildings in Germany featuring the Kronentor (Crown Gate), a famous landmark of Dresden. The tour continues to the Green Vaults, the imperial treasure chambers of the Saxon dynasty housing one of Europe's most dazzling collections of precious jewelry, amber and ivory carvings, ornate bronze statuettes, and intricate works of gold. In 2004 the Green Vaults returned to their original location in the Dresden Palace next to the Court Church (Hofkirche).
The excursion lasts about 2.5 hours.
Optional Tour Cost: 15,00 €
Konigstein, Germany
This beautiful town is situated in a deep valley on the left bank of the Elbe. A huge fortress, Konigstein, lies to the northwest of the town crowning a sandstone rock, which rises 750 feet from the Elbe.
Kleinzschachwitz
Pillnitz Park and Fortress Königstein
The castle facility of Pillnitz mainly consists of three parts: the water palace, the mountain palace and the new palace. The water and mountain palaces were built as mirrored images of one another from 1720-1723. The park between the two palaces was designed in the 19th century. During a guided walk you will see the water and the mountain palace, the park, the splendor gondola and the camellia house.
Then you will drive through a bizarre landscape of the Saxon Switzerland, which is unique in central Europe and visit the famous viewpoint Bastei. Fortress Königstein, located on a plateau about 360 meters above the winding Elbe river. It is a unique witness of the European art of fortress building and is not only a significant point of interest for history buffs but also for naturalists as well. From the 2.2 kilometres long parapet you have a phenomenal view onto the magnificent surrounding scenery. The fortress was first mentioned in documents in 1241 AC. However, it was the Saxon Count Christian I. who ordered the expansion of the old facility to a country fortress. In the following centuries the fortress was continuously expanded so that no enemy ever dared to try an attack. Especially worth seeing at the 9.5-hectar Königstein facility are the Georgenburg (George Castle) and the Magdalenenburg (Magdalene Castle) with its huge wine barrel (238.00 litres), the cistern with its extraordinary techniques to retrieve water as well as the fortress Friedrichsburg, which Augustus the Strong had converted to a summer residence. If you want to pass on the guided walk through the facility, you have the opportunity to relax on one of the scenic benches or to enjoy a cup of coffee.
The excursion lasts about 4 hours
Optional Tour Cost: 35,00 €
Leitmeritz, Czech Republic
Visit this charming town situated in the midst of the Bohemian Paradise, a fertile country that produces great quantities of fruit, corn and wine.
Prague, Czech Republic
Few cities can offer more beautiful sights than Prague, the “City of a hundred spires.” Your extensive tour of this enchanting city begins in the Hradshin, the palace area, containing almost 200 noble palaces and churches. Walk across the famous Charles Bridge as you make your way to the picturesque Old Market Square and its 500-year-old astronomical clock. Later, stroll the narrow cobblestone streets as you shop for souvenirs.
Prague, Czech Republic
City Tour
On your city tour through Prague, the 'one hundred spire metropolis' on the Moldava River, you will see marvelous buildings of the Gothic and Baroque era. In the castle district, you will visit the St. Veits Cathedral and the Royal Palace. The Wenceslas Square, Old Town City Hall and Charles Bridge are some of the many interesting sights of Prague.
The excursion lasts about 4-5 hours.
The price is included in our 2+2 day hotel group package.