New Year’s on a cruise, between Prague and Berlin (port-to-port cruise)

PRAGUE - LITOMERICE - BAD SCHANDAU - DRESDEN - MEISSEN - WITTENBERG - BURG - GENTHIN - BERLIN TEGEL

Passengers are welcome to board our ship in Prague starting at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll enjoy dinner on board and remain in port overnight.

Optional excursion: guided tour of Old Prague. You will head to the Old Town Square with its charming arcade houses, today the most visited place in Prague, the statue of Jan Hus, the reformer who was burned at the stake in 1415, the Town Hall with its famous Astronomical Clock that reveals the 12 apostles every hour, the Church of Our Lady Before Týn (exterior), the Ungelt Passage, and the Merchants' Courtyard. You will also see the Municipal House, the city's most beautiful Art Nouveau gem, and finally, the Powder Tower, a Gothic monument standing 75 meters tall, which once served to monitor the road to Kutná Hora.

In the afternoon, optional excursion: the Castle District. A symbol of the glorious past of the Czech people, Prague Castle is at the heart of the country's political life, as it is the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. Situated on a hill overlooking the Old Town of Prague and Malá Strana, this monumental complex rises from a crown of gardens and rooftops, with the cathedral and Saint George's Cloister towers springing up from its long horizontal facade. You will admire magnificent churches (St. Vitus Cathedral, Strahov Monastery) and splendid palaces (Cernin, Belvedere). Then, you can wander through the historic streets (New World, Golden Lane).

Return aboard.

We'll spend the morning cruising towards Horin (lock). Optional excursion: guided tour of Litomerice. The picturesque town of Litoměřice is located on the banks of the Elbe, at the boundary between a large agricultural plain and the mountainous, wooded landscapes that characterize the Central Bohemian Highlands. The historic center of the town is almost entirely surrounded by fortifications from the Gothic period. You will appreciate architectural gems, such as Mírové náměstí square, lined with original medieval houses, some of which are among the oldest inhabited homes in the Czech Republic. A tasting of local specialties will conclude the visit.

Return aboard in Roudnice and navigation towards Litomerice. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

We'll spend the morning cruising through the Saxon Switzerland region. Stop in Bad Schandau.

Optional excursion: the Elbsandsteingebirge (Elbe Sandstone Massif in Saxon Switzerland). Geologically, the origins of this landscape date back four million years. During the Cretaceous period, the region was still submerged. The erosion that followed shaped the rocks, giving them these spectacular forms. The region’s landscape is characterized by tower-like rocks. The interplay of light and shadow, time, and wind constantly alter the shapes, offering new perspectives. Visit to the Königstein Fortress, a unique example of European fortified architecture. This impressive complex, with its Gothic, Baroque, and 19th-century buildings, reflects over 750 years of history. The ramparts provide beautiful views of the Elbe.

Return aboard. We'll be cruising towards Dresden.

In the morning, optional excursion: Dresden, the "Florence of the Elbe." Your visit will begin with a panoramic tour where you will enjoy a magnificent view of the vast green spaces, such as the Grand Garden, as well as the banks and hills of the Elbe, the prestigious villas, and large buildings like the football stadium and the VW factory. Then, you will explore the Old Town on foot, passing through the iconic Theater Square, where you can admire architectural masterpieces in styles ranging from Baroque to Renaissance. You will see the Semper Opera House, the magnificent Zwinger Palace (a Baroque palace), and the Georg's Tower. Then, you’ll stroll along the Brühl Terrace, known as the "balcony of Europe," lined with an exceptional ensemble of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture that overlooks the Elbe from the southern bank.

Return aboard. We'll be cruising towards Meissen.

Optional excursion: Meissen and its famous porcelain factory. This picturesque town is dominated by the 15th-century Albrechtsburg Castle, which overlooks the Elbe. Meissen is also known for producing some of the finest German porcelain. You will discover the old town, with its large square lined with Renaissance houses, the Town Hall, and the Church of Our Lady, both in late Gothic style. Then, you will head to the porcelain factory. In 1708, the discovery of a kaolin deposit in Saxony, combined with the ingenuity of the alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger, led to the creation of the first hard-paste porcelain in Europe. The Duke of Saxony, Augustus the Strong, was a great lover of porcelain, and under his patronage, the Meissen ceramic and porcelain factory became, from 1720 onwards, the most remarkable porcelain factory imaginable. A permanent exhibition traces the history of porcelain.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

Early morning, departure of the boat towards Wittenberg. Morning navigation on the Elbe. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Elbe here marks a unique natural and cultural landscape, with intact floodplains, white sandy beaches, and wooded hills.

Arrival in Wittenberg in the early afternoon.

Optional excursion: Wittenberg, the city of Luther. Head to the city center, where you will see beautiful Renaissance-style patrician houses. In front of the Town Hall, you’ll notice statues of Luther and his disciple Melanchthon. Landmarks such as the Castle Church, considered the heart of the Reformation's spread, Luther’s house, and Melanchthon's house are part of the city's heritage. You will visit Martin Luther’s house (2), where he lived and worked for 35 years. Today, it houses the world’s largest museum dedicated to the history of the Protestant Reformation. Next, you’ll visit the Gothic St. Mary’s Church. Further along, you will see the Cranach House, home to portraits now displayed in the greatest museums.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment. Night navigation.

Early morning, departure of the boat towards Burg.

Optional excursion: Magdeburg. First mentioned in a manuscript in the year 805, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt surprises with its diversity and rich history, spanning over 1200 years. You will discover the Magdeburg Cathedral and the Our Lady Cloister, the most remarkable historical monuments of Magdeburg’s cultural heritage. You will also see the Green Citadel with its colorful façade, the Market Square, and the equestrian statue of the Magdeburg Rider, as well as the Town Hall with its bronze portal.

Return aboard in Genthin. We'll be cruising towards Berlin. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

In the morning, optional excursion: Berlin. The German capital charms with the diversity of its tourist attractions, its cultural richness, and a lifestyle that is both dynamic and relaxed. The contrasts between historical buildings and contemporary architecture define the city and tell the story of an entire nation, from the Brandenburg Gate to the Chancellery. You will see the Victory Column, with a statue of Bismarck nearby, then the Brandenburg Gate next to the Reichstag and its glass dome, Museum Island, Alexanderplatz with its TV Tower, and Checkpoint Charlie.

In the afternoon, optional excursion: Visit to the New Palace. This lavish palace in the Sanssouci Park symbolizes the power of Prussia. Unlike the intimate Sanssouci Palace, the New Palace is a large building with long rows of rooms, banquet halls, and sumptuously decorated galleries. You will explore the Marble Hall, the Grotto Hall, the Concert Hall, and the Palace Theater. Return aboard. Gala evening.

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.