Holiday Cheer Along the Elbe River (port-to-port cruise)

PRAGUE – MELNIK – Dresden – ROZTOKY – PRAGUE

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. in Prague. We’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll enjoy dinner on board. Join us on an optional excursion : evening stroll through the festive streets of Prague. At Christmas time, the capital of the Czech Republic seems like something out of a fairytale. The holiday spirit is found on every corner! We’ll cross over the Vltava River for a great view of the Charles Bridge and the palace overlooking the city’s old town. We’ll then head up to the old town to take in its splendid holiday look.

On the morning, join us on an optional excursion: visit of the Prague castle district. You’ll stroll through the Malá Strana neighborhood to get a feel for the city’s rich heritage. The buildings and monuments are surprisingly well preserved considering the tumultuous periods Prague has experienced, even in the past century. 

We’ll enjoy lunch on board.

In the afternoon, join us on an optional excursion: we'll visit the 1,000-year-old quarter of Staré Mesto, where you'll enjoy some free time at the various Christmas markets in Prague. The Old Town Square in normal times is bursting with history and sites to see. Throw in a wonderfully decorated Christmas market and you’ll see why you can spend hours in the area just browsing and enjoying the ambiance. Or grab a seat in a café in front of the astronomical clock to hear it strike and see the 15th-century figures come to life. During the afternoon, we'll enjoy the traditional, hollow-shaped Trdelník pastry with a hot drink. Trdelník dough is grilled on iron spits and then rolled in a walnut sugar mix.

We’ll host an onboard holiday concert this evening.

We’ll spend the morning cruising to Melnik, at the confluence of the Elbe. Join us during this time for a presentation on Czech Christmas traditions.

We’ll enjoy lunch on board.

This afternoon, join us on an optional excursion : we’ll set out on a tour of Nelahozeves Castle. Nelahozeves is one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in Bohemia and was home to 23 different Bohemian queens and princesses. The castle walls are elaborately adorned with Italian-style stucco and wall paintings depicting scenes from the Old Testament and Greek mythology. It is also home to a rich, private collection of furniture and paintings—including works by Rubens, Velazquez, and many others—all belonging to the Lobkowicz family, the oldest and most eminent Bohemian noble family. We’ll discover the luxurious lifestyle of Bohemian nobility during the Baroque period. At the end of our tour, you’ll enjoy tasting a selection of wines from the castle’s vineyard.

Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Join us for a full-day optional excursion to Dresden,  a fantastic city known as the “Florence of the Elbe.” Although severely damaged during World War II, most of the city’s attractions have been restored to their past glory.  During a tour of the heart of the city, you’ll see famous locations such as the Taschenbergpalais, Semper Opera House, the Zwinger, and the cathedral. Our tour guide will also explain the holiday traditions in the region.

We’ll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, enjoy some free time at the colorful Christmas markets in the old part of the city. Founded in 1434, the Striezelmarkt is considered the oldest Christmas market in Europe. What began back then as a market to provide meat to the city’s inhabitants for Christmas meals has become one of the most beautiful German traditions. We’ll enjoy a taste of traditional stollen, the market’s namesake. One of the most dazzling sites at the market is the giant, wooden Christmas pyramid. Some of the wares and crafts found here are Pflaumentoffel figurines made from prunes, wooden sculptures, local pottery, and delicious gingerbread in all forms.

Tonight’s entertainment will be an evening of Czech Christmas tales.

Our ship will begin to cruise early in the morning to Prague. Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before arriving and disembarking in Prague.