New Year's Eve on the Elbe from Dresden to Berlin (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.

You will leave the boat by coach for an audio-guided tour of Charlottenburg Castle. This castle was one of the favourite summer residences of the Grand Electors of Brandenburg and later of the kings of Prussia. You will visit the Knobbelsdorf wing. This house is the apartments of Frederic II. You will discover the white room (the throne room and the sovereign's dining room) and the gilded gallery (dancing and music room) in the Rococo style.

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.

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. 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. The Frauenkirche tower hosts the world's first porcelain carillon, manufactured in 1929 on the occasion of the town's 1,000-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 what underscore this magnificent form of art. We'll learn about the steps needed to make each piece. After some free time on your own, we'll return to the ship in Dresden.

PLEASE NOTE

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

Join us for a guided visit of the Semper Opera House of Dresden. It is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Built and rebuilt three times over the span of 130 years, this magnificent Baroque building is one of the most beloved in the city. The renowned conductor Franz Konwitschny once declared that for Dresden, opera was a necessity, an essential part of life. With over 95% of the seats filled for performances, the Semper Opera House is without a doubt one of the most dynamic in Germany.

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.