Christmas on the Elbe (port-to-port cruise)

Take a guided panoramic tour of Berlin in a coach. You'll see the city's main sites including Charlottenburg Palace and the government and embassy districts. We'll continue to the eastern side of the city where you'll see the Pariser Platz, French embassy, Academy of Arts, the renowned Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin State Library, Humboldt University, the opera house, the Zeughaus and Berlin Cathedral. We'll also see Museum Island, Alexanderplatz, St. Nicholas Quarter (birthplace of the city), the city palace, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Gendarmenmarkt, Neue Kirche and the Konzerthaus Berlin. No tour of Berlin would be complete without a visit to Checkpoint Charlie, the vestiges of the wall, and Potsdamer Platz — rebuilt to contemporary perfection after being destroyed during WWII and left desolate during the Cold War. To finish up, we'll stop off at one of the city's Christmas markets before returning to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

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

Cecilienhof Palace was built from 1914 to 1917 for Crown Prince William and his wife, Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. It was based on English Tudor-style buildings featuring half-timbered walls, bricks and numerous decorative chimney stacks. Cecilie lived in the castle until 1945. After the end of WWII, the Potsdam Conference—attended by Stalin, Churchill and Truman—was held in the palace from July 17 - August 2, 1945. Currently, the palace is home to a museum and a hotel. In 2007, it was the site of the G8 Foreign Ministers Summit.
You'll be able to visit the princess' private writing room, the Red Salon (used by the Soviet delegation as a study during the Potsdam conference), the Great Hall, the Smoking Room (used by the American delegation) and the library (used by the British delegation). At the end of the afternoon, we'll return to the ship by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

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

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.
During the holiday cruise, you'll be able visit the Christmas market in the city before returning to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

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

Tour of Meissen: The Cradle of Saxony
This city is famous for its porcelain, based on extensive local deposits of both china and potter's clay. Its historic 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. In the distance, you'll be able to see the impressive Albrechtsburg. We'll then visit the city's Christmas market, magnificently located in the heart of the historic district. You'll not only find the famous Meissen porcelain, but also candles, holiday decorations, wooden sculptures and traditional local delicacies. During December, the facade of the town hall is turned into a giant advent calendar. Following our tour, we'll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

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

We’ll leave by coach for a guided tour of Lutherstadt Wittenberg’s old town, first visiting the Luther House. A former Augustinian monastery, it was for 35 years the home and place of work of Martin Luther. The house was transformed into a museum in 1883 and remains to this day the largest museum in the world dedicated to the history of the reformation. You’ll also get to see the outside of Melanchthon’s house, where Luther’s disciple lived and died. Next you’ll head to St. Mary’s town church where Martin Luther used to preach, and move on to painter Cranach’s house, whose portraits are now exhibited in the most prestigious museums around the world. Afterwards, you’ll visit the All Saints’ Church. Don’t miss its doors on which a reproduction of Luther’s 95 theses are nailed. In this very church are the tombs of both Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. We’ll return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

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

We'll enjoy a guided tour on foot of Dresden's historic old city. Strolling across the area, we'll see the Theaterplatz, Semper Opera House, the Zwinger inside courtyard, cathedral, George Gate and Brühl Terrace. Following our tour, we'll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

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