Essence of the Elbe: Hamburg to Prague (2012)

Fly from one of several U.S. gateway cities to Hamburg, Germany.

Depending on your departure city, you will arrive either this morning or afternoon. A Grand Circle Representative will meet you at the Hamburg airport and assist you to the hotel, where you’ll get to know the lively surrounding neighborhood during a vicinity walk with your Program Director.

Once you’ve settled in, gather with your Program Director and fellow Grand Circle travelers for a Welcome Drink and Dinner at the hotel this evening.

This morning, after an included breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to set out on your first full day of discovery with an included city tour of Hamburg.

The city-state of Hamburg—or “The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,” as it’s officially known due to its status as a tax-free port—is one of the world’s most important seaports. Despite a long history of destruction—including a Great Fire in 1842, Allied bombing during World War II, and catastrophic flooding in 1962—Hamburg’s surviving 17th-century mansions blend with modern cutting-edge architecture, abundant green space, and an extensive waterfront to create an eclectic and friendly urban fabric.

Begin with a motorcoach tour of the city’s highlights—such as the neo-Renaissance-style Rathaus (“Town Hall”) in the Rathausmarkt (“Market Square”)—followed by a walk through the downtown and historical districts. You’ll see Trostbrucke, the bridge that first connected Old Town to Hamburg's New Town, and St. Nicholas, a neo-Gothic church that held the title of world's tallest building when it was originally constructed in 1874. Though most of the church was destroyed during World War II air raids, the ruins of its superlative spire remain today.

Later, following lunch on your own, you’ll have the afternoon to enjoy Hamburg at your own pace. With more than 50 museums to explore, the city offers something of interest to everyone—whether it’s the Kunsthalle art museum’s impressive collection of 19th-century German paintings; Spicy’s Gewurzmuseum where you can learn all about spices and sample more than 50 of them; or rock out at Beatlemania Hamburg, dedicated to the Beatles, whose early career flourished here.

And as one of Europe’s most verdant urban centers—with scenic, tree-lined canals along which to stroll and lushly planted parks in which to relax or picnic—this north German city welcomes visitors with open arms. As you walk around Hamburg, you may notice its generous collection of bridges, especially over canals; in fact, Hamburg boasts 2,300 bridges in all—more than any other city in the world, including Venice.

Tonight, dine on your own at one of Hamburg’s many restaurants. Perhaps you’ll try one of the local delicacies, such as Birnen, Bohnen, und Speck, a savory green bean, bacon, and pear stew. Your Program Director can offer suggestions for other dishes to try.

Please note: Travelers who have taken the pre-trip extension to Hamburg will have a Hamburg city tour on Day 3 of their extension. To avoid repetition, those travelers will—instead—take an included tour of Lubeck, Germany today.

After breakfast this morning, you'll embark on an included boat tour of Hamburg Harbor. You'll cruise through the Speicherstadt (“Warehouse District”), enjoying unique views of the city and its magnificent bridges. Once you witness the busy port in action, you will truly understand why Germans call Hamburg the “Gateway to the World.” One of the world’s most significant river-seaports, Hamburg has been a leading trade and transportation hub since 1189, when Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa founded the port, granting free trade and a customs exemption to vessels carrying goods between Hamburg and the North Sea. Each May since then, Hamburg has hosted the world’s largest annual port festival—considered a birthday celebration—in recognition of the harbor’s pivotal role in the city’s history and growth.

This afternoon, transfer to your private river ship, and enjoy lunch onboard. Next, visit the picturesque town of Lauenburg, where you'll enjoy an included walking tour. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure—perhaps you'll spend the free time exploring more of the town. This evening, gather for a Captain’s Welcome Drink and crew introduction, followed by a Captain’s Welcome Dinner.

Sailing to Tangermunde this morning, you’ll relish the Elbe’s unspoiled riverside scenery along the way. After lunch onboard, you’ll set out for an included walking tour with your Program Director—dating back to 1009, this 1,000-year-old town in the Stendal district is located on a hill overlooking the river. And as you’ll discover, it’s dominated by a distinctive, red brick church—home to an early 17th-century organ designed by one of Germany’s most famous organ makers. You’ll also see its Gothic town hall, a collection of quaint half-timbered houses, and the remains of a fortified castle built by Charles IV (aka Kaiser Karl IV) in the 14th century as a second royal residence, after Prague. Following your walking tour, you’ll have a chance to seek out additional local history and sites during your free time here; your Program Director will be happy to make suggestions. You can spend the afternoon relaxing onboard or explore more of this ancient town.

Today, you’ll depart Magdeburg for Berlin, Germany’s capital, and the urban embodiment of reunified Germany. Although Berlin is an enormous city—the second-largest urban area in Europe—the majority of its most iconic sites are relatively close together. Divided at the end of World War II, blockaded by the Soviets during the Cold War, driven apart by a cruel grey wall, and finally delivered by the sledgehammers of freedom fighters, Berlin is once again a united city. The city’s lakes and forests provide serene retreats within the urban setting, while the city’s divided history has created a truly unique collection of architectural styles.

You’ll see Berlin’s most significant highlights, all symbols of different eras in the city’s long and sometimes turbulent history. Brandenburg Gate and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church hearken back to the Kingdom of Prussia, while the once-armed border crossing Checkpoint Charlie and remaining sections of the graffiti-covered Berlin Wall are reminders of the significant changes the Cold War wrought on Berlin. You’ll also see the Reichstag, which played a critical role in the Nazis’ rise to power—after a 1933 fire at the building threw the government into disarray, and Parliament ceded its power to Hitler. This government building was not fully restored until after reunification. In 1999, a glass dome was built and the Bundestag (post-World War II Parliament) began holding sessions here for the first time in 66 years. You’ll discover all of these sites and more during an included city tour that orients you to the history of this important European hub.

Then, after an included lunch in a local restaurant, use your newfound knowledge of Berlin to spend some time exploring the city. Perhaps you’ll visit Museum Island, a complex of five world-class museums—and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—conveniently located near the city center. Or maybe you’d like to explore Schloss Charlottenburg, the largest remaining palace in the city.

You’ll return to your ship late this afternoon and enjoy dinner onboard.

This morning, enjoy an included tour of the twelfth-century city of Wittenberg. Officially known as Lutherstadt Wittenberg, the cradle of the Protestant Reformation is best known as the town where Martin Luther lived, preached, and began his philosophical dispute with the Catholic Church. You’ll see Wittenberg’s oldest surviving structure—the twin-towered Stadtkirche (“Town Church”) and visit the most important landmarks in the history of Protestantism, including the Augustinian Monastery where Martin Luther first became a Catholic priest and later lived with his family following his excommunication.

Your tour will also take you to the All Saints’ Schlosskirche (“Castle Church”) where the theologian first posted his 95 Theses criticizing the Catholic Church’s practice of selling “indulgences” (Pope-sanctioned absolution for any sin). As an academic who taught theology at the University of Wittenberg, Luther used a typical means of challenging local church authorities to a theological debate. However, the Bishop never responded and, by the time Luther’s 95 Theses reached Rome, the document had been seen all over Europe. Due to his continuing theological criticism of the papacy, Luther was officially declared a heretic and effectively sentenced to death. He escaped arrest and returned to Wittenberg in secret, where he developed the tenets of Lutheranism. The Church never got its vengeance—30 years after writing 95 Theses, Luther died of natural causes. He had successfully started a new denomination of Christianity and inspired others around Europe to do the same.

You’ll have the remainder of the morning to follow your own agenda before returning to the ship for lunch.

Early this afternoon, you’ll join a local family in their home for a special Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch—featuring an enjoyable taste of German hospitality and culture over coffee and cake.

Afterwards, you'll re-embark your river ship and enjoy dinner onboard as you sail the Elbe toward Torgau for the night.

This morning after breakfast, a local resident discusses the significance of the location along the Elbe river in Torgau, where U.S. Army and Soviet soldiers met during the German invasion on April 25, 1945—coined "Elbe Day," in honor of the monumental event. The meeting of soldiers signified an important action towards the end of World War II, with the allied powers avowing to complete the dissolution of the Third Reich.

After hearing the historic account, experience the town firsthand during an included tour. You’ll visit the town center—restored since the German reunification—and see the town hall built in Renaissance style, and you’ll also witness the monument along the Elbe that was built in honor of the meeting between U.S. and Soviet soldiers. Then you’ll board the ship for lunch and cruise to Meissen.

Today, you’ll step ashore at Meissen for a walking tour—encompassing its historic market square, Renaissance architecture, and Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche)—of this ancient town straddling both banks of the river.

While it’s often called the “cradle of Saxony,” Meissen is internationally known for the high-end porcelain of the same name, which has been produced there for more than 300 years. During your tour, you’ll pay a visit to the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory—Europe’s first and oldest continuously running porcelain maker—to learn about its five-stage production process.

Johann Friedrich Bottger, a purported alchemist who had been unable to create gold for Augustus II, may have saved his own life when he presented the porcelain recipe in 1709. Though it’s unlikely that Bottger devised the recipe himself, it was regarded as “white gold” by the monarch, who opened the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Prior to this, all porcelain in Europe was imported from China. They began with simple tableware and quickly expanded into a range of exquisitely hand-painted products, ranging from figures to clocks.

Spend the rest of the day exploring Meissen at your own pace, or join us for an optional tour of Seiffen, a town known for its wood-carving traditions, and especially, its wooden toys. During your tour, you'll enjoy a visit to Seiffen's Toy Musuem, where you'll see some of the iconic items the area is known for, including miniature people, or as we know them: nutcrackers. You'll then enjoy some time to explore the area on your own, making further discoveries of the area's holiday traditions.

Today, immerse yourself in the remarkable city of Dresden. A flourishing artistic center until the rise of the Nazis, it was completely destroyed during World War II. Writer Kurt Vonnegut, himself a survivor of the controversial air raids that leveled the Baroque city, chronicled the events in Slaughterhouse-Five. Dresden has since risen from the ashes and been rebuilt from the ground up—reclaiming its place as one of Germany’s intellectual and cultural hubs. You’ll begin with an included walking tour past the city’s historic sights, including the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), Dresden Castle (Residenzschloss), the spectacular 18th-century Baroque Zwinger Palace, and the Semper Opera House—set in a large, public square along the banks of the Elbe.

After lunch onboard, discover some of the world’s most renowned treasures during an included visit to the Royal Palace’s Historic Green Vault (Historisches Grunes Gewolbe), which still houses one of the largest collections of treasures in Europe—including the crown jewels and other royal trophies of Augustus II, the German monarch who turned Dresden into a cultural center. Afterwards, spend the afternoon at leisure or continue to explore more of the Royal Palace (your ticket provides expanded access to other exhibits) and Dresden on foot—or explore via shuttle bus that is available from 2-6pm. Perhaps you’ll delve further into some of the sites from the morning’s tour, taking in the impressive 17th century art collection at Zwinger Palace; or touring the Semper Opera House, which was first destroyed by a fire in 1869 and then again during Allied bombing in 1945, and has been meticulously restored for the second time. Or if your mood is more pastoral, consider a leisurely stroll through the serene Elbe Meadows along the river.

This evening, your final night onboard, join your fellow travelers in the ship’s lounge for the Captain’s Farewell Drink, followed by a Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Rise early this morning, and remember to bring your camera to breakfast! Leaving Dresden behind, you’ll enjoy scenic sailing through one of the Elbe River’s most beautiful regions—Swiss Saxony—accompanied by enlightening commentary from your Program Director. For panoramic views of the dramatic Elbe Sandstone Mountains, find a seat on the ship’s sun deck.

You’ll disembark in the spa town of Bad Schandau and transfer by motorcoach to the highlight of this region: the Bastei. Millions of years ago, these rocks were at the bottom of the sea and the evident water erosion still evokes the memory of an undersea wonderland. The Elbe Sandstone Mountains attract rock climbers from far and wide with its enticing 1,100 free-standing peaks. The Bastei sandstone bridge high above the green valley connects the series of rock promontories and overlooks the Elbe—an incredible vista from this perspective. The impossibly smooth cliffs and castle-like detailing of the bridge are straight out of a medieval fairy tale. After your visit, there will be time for lunch on your own.

This afternoon you'll transfer to Prague, and upon arriving at the hotel, you'll join your Program Director for a relaxing walk in the vicinity. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers.

Prague’s regal beauty spreads on both sides of the winding Vltava River, connected by 16 picturesque bridges. Like Rome and San Francisco, the city is built over a series of hills and its varied architecture spans many centuries.

This morning, begin your exploration of Prague, “City of 100 Spires,” with a visit to historic Prague Castle—perched regally over the Vltava River and offering stunning views of the city. More than 1,000 years old, the castle features residential quarters, chapels, galleries, and gardens. You’ll also see the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral from the outside before transferring to Prague’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the highlights of your guided walking tour is the Old Town Square, home to the city’s famous, medieval Astronomical Clock—or Orloj—parts of which date back to the early 15th century. Every hour, crowds assemble below to watch Christ and the twelve Apostles appear at two little windows above the clock face, followed by the skeleton of Death tolling the bell.

Following lunch on your own, join this afternoon’s optional Jewish Prague tour of the city’s storied Jewish district, including visits to several local synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery.

Or enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing or exploring independently. As you’ll discover, Prague boasts many landmarks worth seeing. Perhaps you’ll visit Stare Mesto, the Old Town, with its many wonderful Gothic and Baroque buildings. Or explore St. George’s Basilica, with its tenth-century towers, or enjoy a stroll through the elegant Prague Castle Gardens—home to an impressive collection of marble monuments.

On this final night of your trip, join your fellow travelers—and new friends—for a Farewell Drink at your hotel. Dinner will be on your own.

After breakfast, you will be assisted to the airport for your flight home.