Day
1 - Arrive Berlin, Germany
Upon
arrival, you’ll be met and escorted by
motorcoach to your deluxe hotel in the heart
of Berlin, one of the friendliest and most
exciting capital cities in Europe. This
evening, gather with your fellow travelers
for a welcome dinner. Meals D Grand Hotel
Esplanade
Day
2 - Berlin
It was
hardly more than a generation ago when the
words ‘East’ and ‘West’ carried great import
here in Berlin. Since the Wall came down in
1989, the distinction has blurred and in
most places, it’s now nearly impossible to
tell when you cross from the former West
into the old East. Your touring begins this
morning in the western part of downtown
along Kurfürstendamm, an elegant tree-shaded
boulevard. You’ll see the Kaiser Wilhelm
Memorial Church and the iconic, 100-year-old
KaDeWe Department Store. Heading ‘East,’
you’ll marvel at other architectural
landmarks including City Hall, the
Brandenburg Gate, and the infamous
Checkpoint Charlie, now a museum. You pass
along remnants of the Berlin Wall and see
the impressive Reichstag, home to the German
Parliament. After lunch, cross to Museum
Island and enter the famed Pergamon Museum,
perhaps the world’s greatest collection of
antiquities from nearly every corner of the
ancient world. A highlight, certainly, is
the famed 1st century BC Pergamon Altar,
excavated by Carl Humann in 1878. Once part
of a complex of palaces, temples, a library
and a theater, this enormous colonnaded
alter with a grand staircase has been
stunningly reconstructed here in its own
hall of the museum. Meals B, L, D
Day
3 - Berlin / Potsdam / Embark Ship
The
historic town of Potsdam is renowned for two
unique palaces, and our schedule this
morning allows for a delightful and in-depth
visit to one of them… The Cecilienhof Palace
offers a grand first impression with its
majestic half-timber façade. This impressive
English Tudor-style residence (with 176
rooms!) was built in 1914 for Crown Prince
Wilhelm of Prussia and his wife for whom the
palace was named, Cecilie von Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Cecilienhof, of course, was thrust into the
world limelight in the summer of 1945 when
the victorious Allied leaders - Truman,
Churchill, and Stalin - met here at the
Potsdam Conference and shaped much of the
post-war 20th century. Nearby, Sanssouci is
the breathtaking summer palace built by
Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, as a
retreat from the pressures of the royal
court. Explore behind its very ornate Rococo
façade through a succession of rooms,
gorgeously decorated with hand painted
detail, precious art, and opulent
furnishings. The palace’s expansive
landscaped grounds are beautiful, with
planted terraces, sculpted fountains, and
picturesque garden follies. This afternoon,
you board your luxury cruise ship with time
to relax and settle-in before this evening’s
dinner in the elegant dining room. Meals
B,L,D MV Frederic Chopin
Day
4 - Magdeburg
Among
the many European towns and cities damaged
by World War II, Magdeburg is most unique:
It’s a city of amazing contrast, where
pristine and untouched medieval monuments
still stand next to strikingly modern
structures built since the destruction of
the War. On your escorted afternoon
sightseeing, you’ll see the Magdeburg Rider,
the city’s iconic 13th century statue, and
the gloriously baroque City Hall before a
guided tour through the Magdeburg Cathedral,
built in 1209 and the first Gothic church in
Germany. Tonight, your captain hosts a
reception and gala dinner in the ship’s
elegant dining room. Meals B,L,D
Day
5 - Wittenberg
You step
ashore this morning to ‘follow in the
footsteps of Martin Luther,’ the Protestant
reformer who began the Reformation here in
the early 1500’s. Your tour includes the
house were he lived, now a museum dedicated
to his life and work, and the church, where
in 1517, Luther is said to have posted his
95 theses. Although the original “Theses
Door” no longer exists – it was destroyed by
a fire in 1760 – the present door weighing
over 2,000 pounds was cast in bronze in 1858
and is overlaid with the original Latin
version of Luther’s 95 theses. You also
explore the original market square with its
historic City Hall. Meals B,L,D
Day
6 - Meissen / Dresden
Today
you’ll discover two wonderful treasures:
Meissen porcelain – long prized by kings and
collectors – and Dresden, the “Florence on
the Elbe”. Your visit to the Meissen
porcelain workshop reveals the 300-year-old
traditions behind the manufacturing of this
noble china, and includes some of the finest
pieces crafted by master artisans over the
centuries. Then it’s off to Moritzburg
Castle, surrounded by woodlands, lakes,
gardens and a most impressive moat. This
late-Gothic fortress, with four mighty guard
towers, was built in the 15th century by the
Archbishop of Magdeburg. You’ll return to
ship for lunch and then join your escort for
sightseeing in Dresden. A walking tour
through the Old Town includes the city’s
renowned architectural treasures, the
opulent Semper Opera House and the iconic
Frauenkirche. Reduced to rubble in WWII, the
dome and turrets of this
masterfully-reconstructed Church grace the
Dresden skyline once again. Meals B,L,D
Day
7 - Pillnitz Park & Konigstein
From
their royal residence in Dresden, the Saxon
court would sail up the Elbe in magnificent
gondolas to their splendid riverfront
retreat of Pillnitz Park. In the 1700’s,
all-things Chinese were in vogue, and the
ornate pavilions and palaces of Pillnitz
reflect this European fascination with
Chinoiserie. In addition to these eastern
influences, you’ll find dramatic flying
buttresses and towering chimneys ornamented
with crowns. The Pillnitz complex includes
the Water Palace with its splendid
Chinoiserie and a grand staircase leading up
from the river, the New Palace, and the
Mountain Palace – all set on
beautifully-landscaped garden grounds
ornamented with English and Chinese
pavilions. The park also boasts numerous
botanical highlights, including the Camellia
House, where hundreds of delicate plants
have been cultivated for over 250 years.
From Pillnitz, you journey into the
Sandstone Mountains of ‘Saxon Switzerland’
to the mighty Königstein Fortress, set high
atop a 1,200-foot plateau. From the ancient
parapet walls, you’ll have sweeping views
across the magnificent scenery of the Elbe
Valley. Meals B,L,D
Day
8 - Litomerice, Czech Republic
This
morning, the ship docks in the heart of
Litomerice, a town filled with Gothic,
Baroque and Renaissance architecture. You
can step off ship here to explore along the
charming cobbled streets of town at your own
pace. Relax on the Sun Deck or in the
comfortable Lounge to enjoy the lovely views
as you cruise through a tranquil landscape
of rolling hills and small riverside towns.
Meals B,L,D
Day
9 - Prague
We
cruise through the tranquil rolling hills of
Bohemia and into the very heart of the ‘City
of 100 Spires’. Once docked under the shadow
of Prague Castle, you’ll enjoy an escorted
tour of the city’s architectural treasures.
Explore through the Old Town, surrounded by
grand and colorful facades of the Baroque
and Renaissance eras, all marvelously
preserved. Then admire the famous 15th
century Astronomical Clock with its lively
animated figures. Tonight, you’ll be berthed
here in the heart of Prague. So after an
elegant dinner onboard, it’s easy to step
off ship for a delightful evening stroll
along the cobbled streets of this enchanting
city. Meals B,L,D
Day
10 - Prague
After
breakfast, you’ll disembark ship for a
guided exploration through more of Prague,
including a breathtaking stroll across the
Charles Bridge, lined with carvings of
Baroque saints, set against the backdrop of
soaring spires and the dramatic silhouette
of St. Vitus Cathedral. Then you’ll check in
and enjoy lunch at your hotel, the deluxe
Grand Bohemia. This landmark hotel was once
an Art Nouveau town palace, ideally situated
just a few minutes stroll from the Old Town
Square on the historic Royal Road, where the
Kings of Bohemia would begin their
processional walk to the Prague Castle. Its
lovely period façade and architectural
details have been lovingly restored, but
spacious guestrooms have been designed with
clean, contemporary furnishings. Gather
tonight for a festive dinner of regional
Bohemian specialties in our favorite Town
Hall restaurant. Meals B,L,D Grand Hotel
Bohemia
Day
11 - Prague / Excursion to Konopiste
Following breakfast at your hotel, your
touring begins with a scenic 25-mile drive
to Konopiste, a medieval town dominated by
an imposing 14th century castle. You’ll see
the neo-Gothic tower where King Wenceslas
(not the ‘Good King’ of the Christmas
carol!) was held prisoner after being
captured in the late 1300’s by Catholic
nobles. The Archduke Franz Ferdinand resided
for a time here in the late 19th century,
and several of the rooms reflect his
extravagant tastes and lifestyle, including
mementos and trophies that bear testament to
his legendary obsession with hunting. Then
enjoy a wonderful lunch at the Stara
Myslivna Restaurant, where delicious Czech
specialties include excellent soups and pork
tenderloin in cream sauce. Perhaps in homage
to the Archduke, there’s a bit of a
hunting-lodge feel to the restaurant, and
the views from the terrace are lovely. Back
in Prague, you’ll enjoy a free afternoon to
pursue your own interests. The boutiques,
shops, and cafés of Old Town are just steps
away from your hotel, making it so easy to
explore. Rejoin your fellow travelers back
at hotel this evening for dinner. Meals
B,L,D
Day
12 - Prague / Oberammergau, Germany
A lovely
day unfolds as you journey through the
countryside of southern Bohemia. After lunch
en route, continue on into the heart of the
Bavarian Alps toward the picturesque town of
Oberammergau. Enjoy dinner and a peaceful
overnight at your comfortable hotel in this
scenic Alpine region. Meals B,L,D
Day
13 - Oberammergau & Passion Play
This
morning, you’ll enjoy a guided stroll
through this enchanting village, set in a
picturesque Alpine valley in the shadow of a
towering sentinel-like granite peak. Delight
in the colorfully painted homes, centuries
old and wonderfully preserved. Along the
way, charming shops reveal the woodcarving
skills of many town residents, whose
families have perfected this craft over the
past 800 years. Then visit the Oberammergau
Museum and learn more about the inspiring
history and traditions of this centuries-old
town. Following lunch, you’ll be escorted to
the historic Passion Play Theater,
extensively renovated for the Millennium.
This impressive venue now offers
theater-style seating and a heated floor,
ensuring your comfort as 2,000 actors take
to the open-air stage, framed by a natural
backdrop of spectacular Alpine scenery. The
once-in-a-lifetime Passion Play is presented
in two parts, including dinner in-town
during intermission. Following the
performance, you return to your hotel. Meals
B,L,D
Day
14 - Oberammergau / Munich Airport
After
breakfast, you’ll have an escorted transfer
to Munich airport for your homeward flight.
Or, extend your stay here in Europe. Our
travel planning experts can assist you and
your travel agent with all arrangements
including hotels, meals, sightseeing, and
transportation. If you want to travel
farther – perhaps to Jerusalem and the Holy
Land – just let us know. Meals B
