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DAY 1, Sat Arrive in Prague and transfer to the ship for embarkation. This evening, enjoy a Captain's welcome dinner on board (D): CRUISE
DAY 2, Sun This morning, enjoy an optional walking tour of Prague, a city which, despite having suffered two World Wars, has retained much of its original beauty. Meet the ship at the Mirejovice River lock for an afternoon cruise to Litomerice (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 3, Mon Cruise to Bad Schandau, a quaint German town, situated at the mouth of the Valley of the Kirnitsch. You may join an optional guided tour to the Königstein Fortress ("Saxon Bastille"), located on a plateau more than 1000 feet above the winding Elbe River, which makes for a magnificent view of the surrounding scenery. Dating from the 12th century, the fortress served as a state prison until 1922, incarcerating prisoners the likes of the Crypto-Calvinist Caspar Peucer and the Russian anarchist Mikhail Bakunin. Return to the ship for a cruise to Dresden (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 4, Tues Enjoy a full-day at leisure in Dresden, the capital of Saxony. You may choose to explore the Green Vault, with its exquisite collection of jeweled objects d'art in gold and silver, or the Schloss Moritzburg, a hunting lodge originally built in the 16th century and later remodeled in the 18th century. Developed during the reign of Augustus the Strong, the spectacular chateau is surrounded by a beautiful park reserve and lake (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 5, Wed Enjoy the morning at leisure to discover Dresden on your own, or join a guided walking tour of this Baroque city including a visit to the Green Vault. The museum derives it colorful name from its famous ground floor, located in the west wing of Saxony's former royal residence. The ground floor or vault is composed of three rooms which house priceless jewels, official state documents and other rare works of art. This afternoon cruise to Meissen where you will have time to explore independently. You may visit the porcelain factory to learn about the production of manufactured "White Gold." Other sites include the Cathedral Hill with a view of the Gothic Cathedral, the Old Town and the Saxonian wine country. Enjoy time at leisure before returning to the ship (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 6, Thurs After lunch, arrive in Wittenberg, otherwise known as Lutherstadt. Enjoy the day at leisure to explore the city on your own, or visit the 15th century All Saints' Church, the Schlosskirche ("Castle Church"), where Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses to the doors in 1517. Visit the Luther House Museum and Wittenberg Castle as well. This evening, enjoy dinner while sailing to Magdeburg(B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 7, Fri Enjoy the morning at leisure in Magdeburg, a city which features a striking contrast of medieval monuments and modern architecture. You may choose to visit the historic Old Market and its Baroque City Hall as well as the famous 'Magdeburger Reiter' (Horseman of Magdeburg), or view the Romanesque monastery, the oldest preserved building of the city dating back to the 11th century. Other sites include the Gothic Cathedral of Magdeburg with its famous display of the "Foolish and the Wise Virgins," the tomb of Emperor Otto and the remains of the crypt built in the 10th century. Sail for Berlin this afternoon, and tonight, enjoy the Captain's gala farewell dinner on board (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 8, Sat This morning, arrive in Potsdam. Transfer to the Berlin airport for your departure flight (B).
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