From Berlin to Hanover, a Captivating Trip through German History and Its Cultural Beauty (port-to-port cruise)

BERLIN - POTSDAM - WUSTERWITZ - MAGDEBURG - CALVORDE - RUHEN - WOLFSBURG - BRAUNSCHWEIG - HANOVER

Passengers are welcome to board our ship. We’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Enjoy dinner on board.

This morning, the optional excursion is: Berlin. The German capital brims with tourist attractions, cultural bounty, and a dynamic—yet laid-back—lifestyle. The contrasts between historic and contemporary architecture recount the nation's dramatic history—from the Brandenburg Gate to the Federal Chancellery. Highlights on our tour include the Victory Column, Bismark Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and its glass dome, Museum Island, Alexanderplatz and its TV tower, and, of course, Checkpoint Charlie. We'll return on board the ship. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the German capital at your own pace.

Join us for an optional excursion to Charlottenburg Palace. Discover the rococo magic of this illustrious castle—the former residence of Prussian kings and German emperors. Sophia Charlotte of Hanover, wife of King Frederick I, commissioned its construction at the end of the 17th century. A lover of the arts, she wanted to create a summer palace for poets, musicians, artists, and intellects. You'll visit the richly decorated royal apartments containing sculptures, tapestries, and furniture from China.

Other highlights include the Belvedere Tea House, Neuer Pavilion, and the mausoleum.

We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Potsdam, where we'll set out on an optional excursion: Potsdam and Sanssouci Park—Our tour begins in the park. Encompassing almost 300 hectares (741 acres), it is home to an exceptional array of buildings and gardens. We'll stroll along the flower-lined pathways and climb the stairs to the terrace in front of Sanssouci Palace. Then head towards the Dutch Quarter of Potsdam. This picturesque group of 134 Dutch-style brick buildings was built around 1730 to house immigrants from Holland.

We’ll return on board and begin cruising to Wusterwitz. We'll remain in port overnight.

We'll spend the morning cruising to Magdeburg. Join us for an optional excursion to the characterful Hanseatic city of Magdeburg. Mentioned for the first time in a manuscript from the year 805, the diverse and surprising Saxony-Anhalt capital boasts a rich, multifaceted history. You'll discover the Magdeburg Cathedral and its cloister—remarkable for its beauty and fine details. The fascinating Green Citadel and its colorful exterior, the marketplace and its splendid golden statue, and the city hall and its bronze door are all must-see sites. Enjoy some time on your own before heading back to the ship in Calvörde. Our ship will cruise to Rühen. We'll remain in port overnight.

We'll cruise to Wolfsburg in the early morning. Join us for an optional excursion to experience the Volkswagen Autostadt—a veritable paradise for car lovers. A museum, car dealership, and amusement park all wrapped in one, the Autostadt focuses on advancements, science, art, and culture in an educational and fun way for the entire family. We'll visit the driving experience attraction, car museum, customer service center, and branding experience area. Test your driving skills in some of the simulators as a memorable moment. During this time, our ship will cruise to Braunschweig, where we'll board once again. We'll spend the afternoon cruising to Hanover and along the Mittelland Canal. The Mittelland Canal is the main German east-west waterway connection. Work on the canal began in 1906 and finished over 35 years later. We'll arrive in the evening and remain in port overnight.

This morning, the optional excursion is: Hanover. During our bus tour, you'll discover the main sites in the capital of Lower Saxony. Prestigious spots include the New Town Hall, Market Church, and the Anzeiger-Hochhaus. The old town and its tiny streets are lined with magnificent half-timbered homes. Further along, we'll discover the fantastic green spaces the city has to offer, as well as the baroque-style Herrenhausen Palace Gardens and Masch Lake, a hotbed of water sports and festivities all year long.

In the afternoon, join us for an optional excursion to : Celle and its castle. On the way to Celle, you'll start your visit at the 13th-century castle. You'll immediately notice the castle's gleaming white façade overlooking a small hill in the middle of the palace grounds. During your visit, you'll see the great hall, the baroque flats, the kitchen fitted out with 19th-century furniture, etc. Then you'll head to the historic heart of Celle, dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. You'll discover more than 500 beautifully coloured and restored half-timbered houses, reputed to be the densest group of houses in the world.

We'll return to Hanover.

Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning. before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.