DRESDEN TO HAMBURG EXCURSIONS

$175.00 PER PERSON

DRESDEN
SIGHTSEEING TOUR

‘Florence of the Elbe’ and ‘Venice of the East’ are two of the poetic names of the city of Dresden. A bus tour leads around the Great Garden, Dresden’s largest park facility, before you pass the VW plant and reach the bridge ‘Blue Wonder’. From the bridge you can see the so-called Elbe castles located beautifully on the hillside of the Elbe bend, Eckberg Castle, Lingner Castle and Albrechtsberg Castle. Afterwards you explore the enchanting old town during a one-hour guided walk. Directly at the Theater Square, you find the Semper Opera House. The two-story, arc-shaped arcade building in the style of the Italian High Renaissance receives its special mark through the bronze quad Riga by Johannes Schilling. The Zwinger Palace (Zwinger means outer ward in German) is located right next to it. It is one of the most beautiful Baroque era buildings of Europe and the presumably most famous architectural masterpiece in Dresden. After visiting the inner courtyard of the Zwinger Palace you proceed to the Royal Mews, which was once the scene of chivalrous games and tournaments. Probably one of the most famous Dresden sights is the ‘Procession of Princes’ on the north wall of the Royal Mews. You continue your walk to the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) which stood in ruins as a memorial of the bombings during WWII for decades. Today, the reconstruction, which is supposed to be finished in 2006, is well on its way and the church can be seen in an advanced building stage. Before returning to the vessel, you pass through the modern part of Dresden where you see the Golden Horseman and drive a long the famous Koenigstrasse.

Excursion lasts about 3 hours



MEISSEN PORCELAIN & CASTLE CITY TOUR

Since the founding of the first porcelain factory, Meissen has enjoyed a worldwide reputation as the ‘City of the Blue Swords’. In order to keep the secret of production well protected, August the Strong decided to build the factory within the strong walls of Castle Albrechtsburg. From 1710 – 1863, the Meissen porcelain was produced at this location. In 1864, the production was moved to the State Porcelain factory in Triebischtal where it has remained to this day. You will learn about the manufacture of the ‘White Gold’. Afterwards, there is time to see some beautiful pieces of porcelain in the showroom, which were produced during the centuries of traditional craftsmanship. Next you visit the castle hill with the Gothic cathedral and Albrecht Castle. During the 30 minutes’ stay you have the opportunity to visit cathedral or castle at your own leisure (entrance fees are not included in the excursion price). Alternatively you can enjoy the beautiful view across the historic city centre and the surrounding vineyards. Strolling back down to the market square and the quay you pass lovely houses in Baroque and Renaissance style.

Please note: The road to the cathedral is quite steep. Alternatively you can go to the market square by bus and take a walk through the historic city centre at your own leisure.

Approx. 4 hours

WITTENBURG
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MARTIN LUTHER

After a brief bus ride from the pier to the historic city center you will get to know the ‘Luther City’, Wittenberg. Martin Luther lived and preached here. You first visit the newly renovated Luther house, where the reformer lived and worked for 38 years (1508 - 1546). During the tour through the recently completely revised exhibition you can view more than 1000 original exhibits and thus experience the most important highlights of his life and work. During the following city tour, you visit the church of St. Marien featuring the famous Reformation altar of Lukas Cranach the Elder and the castle church. On its door, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther allegedly posted his 95 Theses, ‘Against the Abuse of the Indulgence Trade’. Unfortunately the original ‘Thesis Door’ no longer exists. It was destroyed in the disastrous fire of 1760 along with all but half of the foundation of the church. The present door is cast in bronze and weighs 2,200 pounds. It was dedicated in 1858 and is overlaid with the original Latin version of the 95 theses. Worth seeing are also the market square with the historical city hall, that Cranach houses, the Beyerhof and the Melanchthon house.

Excursion lasts about 3 hours.



WITTENBURG
WORLITZ PARK

Departing from Wittenberg, the tour heads for Worlitz where you will visit the 112 hectar large Worlitz Park. It was designed and built from 1764 until 1800 and is not only one of the largest but also one of the earliest and most important scenic parks on the European mainland. During a stroll through the park, you have the opportunity to admire the ever-changing garden images. Depending on the weather, you might visit the Neo-classicist Worlitz Palace or take a gondola tour on the Worlitz Lake during which you will be able to take a glimpse of the hidden treasures of Worlitz Park. The excursion might be operated in reversed sequence. You will re-embark the vessel in Dessau.

Excursion lasts about 4.5 hours.



MAGDEBURG
BERLIN

The tour will introduce you to the highlights of the city. First, a brief photo stop is planned at the Olympic stadium, built in 1936 for the XI. Olympic Games after the plans of Werner Mach. Afterwards, you will proceed to the former center of Berlin, the famous shopping avenue, the Kurfurstendamm, and the Gedachtniskirche (Memorial Church of WWII). You will have one hour at leisure to stroll around this area, enjoy a shopping spree at the famous KaDeWe department store (one of the largest department stores in Germany) or to have lunch (not included in the tour price). Your next destination is the Potsdam Square in the new heart of Berlin. From here, you will drive to Checkpoint Charly, the legendary border control point in Berlin that formerly separated East from West. The tour will then lead you along the avenue ‘Unter den Linden’ to one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin, the Gendarmenmarkt (constable market). After a brief stop, you will continue to one of Berlin’s landmarks, the Brandenburg Gate. From here, you can see the Reichstag building with his accessible glass dome as well as many other government buildings. During your return, you will pass Bellevue Castle, the Victory Column and Castle Charlottenburg, the former city castle of Friedrich the Great. Here you will have a picture opportunity but no interior tour. You will re-embark the vessel in Tangermunde.

Excursion lasts about 10 hours.