A Journey From Berlin to Prague

Evening departure from Toronto to Berlin with Air Canada Rouge. Dinner and a light breakfast will be served on board.

Morning arrival at Berlin’s Tegel Airport. On our way to the hotel, we will enjoy a panoramic tour of selected sights of former East Berlin, such as the Karl-Marx Avenue, and the East Side Gallery, a collection of about 100 works of art painted directly on a preserved section of the Berlin Wall. Arrival at the hotel. Check in, and free time to settle in and get some rest after the overnight flight. In late afternoon, short introductory walk along the lively “Ku’damm” with its elegant shops, hotels, restaurants, and interesting sights such as the Emperor William Memorial Church, followed by dinner in one of the restaurants near our hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a general introduction to the Berlin museum scene. We then travel by bus or subway to the so-called “Museum Island” in the historical city centre, “Berlin Mitte.” The greatest stars of the Berlin museums are concentrated here, and we recommend starting with the superb Pergamon Museum - fabulous not only on account of its great Hellenistic Pergamon Altar but also Babylon’s Ishtar Gate. At leisure, the recently reopened New Museum just next door, whose Egyptian Collection includes the world-famous Bust of Nefertiti, Queen to the enigmatic Pharaoh Akhenaton! The Island features three additional superb museums. The Old Museum, with its superb collection of Greco-Roman antiquities; Old National Gallery, featuring 19th century art, including French impressionists; and the Bode Museum, highlighting Byzantine and Renaissance art. 

Morning free to allow for additional visits to Berlin’s wonderful collection of museums. In the early afternoon we depart for a panoramic tour featuring the highlights of Berlin. You will get to see Bellevue Palace and the nearby Victory Column, Reichstag building, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer Platz square, Check-Point Charlie, and Gendarmenmarkt. More highlights include boulevard Unter den Linden with Berlin Cathedral, and Alexanderplatz. Later in the afternoon, transfer to the pier and board your Croisi Europe ship. Welcome cocktails on board. Accommodation: onboard MS Elbe Princesse I.

This morning, enjoy a half day tour of the Berlin Wall & Cold War. Return onboard for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll leave the boat for a visit to the gardens at the Sanssouci Palace, former residence of Frederick the Great. Afterwards, we’ll return to the ship and begin to cruise to Wüsterwitz. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.

Our ship will depart early this morning for Madgeburg. Take advantage of your free time this morning while we cruise to admire the landscapes or take part in our onboard activities. This afternoon, join us for a tour of Magdeburg, located midway on the Elbe River and the historic Roman Roads. Its cathedral is one of the major gothic edifices in Germany. Afterwards, we’ll return on board and continue our cruise. Tonight’s dinner will be followed by an evening of dancing. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Once we arrive in Wittenberg, we’ll leave for a guided tour of the city, where Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of a church and sparked the Reformation. You’ll discover the city center and its noble Renaissance-style houses. We’ll also visit Luther’s house, a former Augustinian monastery which is now the Reformation Museum and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, we’ll return on board and spend the afternoon cruising. This evening, take part in our Quiz Night. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Once we arrive in Meissen, we’ll set out on a guided tour of the city, famous for its trademark porcelain. Discover how the porcelain has been made for more than 300 years and admire the magnificent pieces displayed in the museum. We’ll then head for the city center to see the outside of the Albrechtsburg and the cathedral. We'll return on board in Dresden. After lunch, join us for a visit of the city known as the “Florence of the Elbe.” A relatively recent city with Slavic origin, Dresden became the capital of the Margravate of Meissen in the 13th century and the seat of the Dukes of Saxony in the 15th century. Its breathtaking architectural and artistic heritage makes it one of the most important tourist destinations in Germany. Tonight’s dinner will be followed by an evening of dancing. We’ll remain in port overnight.

We’ll depart for an excursion to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. We’ll discover the Königstein Fortress, overlooking the Elbe and one of the largest hilltop fortresses in Europe. Thought to have been built in the 13th century, it was for centuries used as a state prison. We’ll then stop at the Bastei rock formation towering above the Elbe and formed by water erosion over one million years ago. Back on board, we’ll continue to cruise through the magnificent Saxon Switzerland area (which really is a part of Germany) gliding by the prairies, woods, lakes, vineyards and chateaux. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment. We’ll remain in port overnight.

Join us for a tour of one of the oldest Bohemian cities established in the 10th century on the site of a Slavic fort. Afterwards, we’ll return on board in Roudnice and spend the afternoon cruising towards Kralupy. Take advantage of this time to participate in our onboard activities. Tonight’s entertainment will be provided by the crew. We’ll remain in port overnight.

This morning will be dedicated to on a tour of Prague’s Old Town: you will love its narrow streets, Town Hall and astronomical clock as well as the famous Church of Our Lady before Týn. The afternoon will be spent on a visit of the Prague Castle area. We’ll see Saint Vitus Cathedral, the most recognizable landmark in the city, the Prague Castle, and the Golden Lane. Tonight’s our gala evening and dinner. We’ll remain in port overnight.

Breakfast on the ship before disembarking and boarding the coach for additional sightseeing of the Czech capital including a visit to Strahov Monestary, seat of the Premonstensian Order since the 12th century.  Following the tour you will arrive at your home for the next two nights, the 4 star, centrally located Hotel Rott. This afternoon we suggest visiting the Jewish Quarter located just a short walking distance from the hotel. Tonight dinner at a typical Czech beer hall.

Your last full day in Europe so we have left it free to enjoy as you like. Possible activities today include; a day trip into the countryside, perhaps Pilsen to visit the brewery or Konepiste to visit the castle of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.  f you choose to remain in Prague we suggest a guided tour of the municipal House, or a visit to the Lubkowicz Palace with its wonderful art collection. Farewell dinner this evening at one of Prague’s many fine restaurants.

Breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Prague airport for your return flight to Toronto.