Elegant Elbe River Cruise

Elegant Elbe, Viking River Cruise
April 21 to April 30, 2012
10 Days Prague, Czech Republic to Berlin, Germany

Discover the natural beauty of former East Germany’s dramatic landscape on an Elbe River cruise. Tour the opulent palaces of Saxon monarchs and sail between the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Germany’s “Saxon Switzerland.” Marvel at the baroque splendor of Dresden and learn how Meissen ware porcelain is produced. Walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther in historic Wittenberg and learn about the Protestant Reformation. Your journey is bookended by one night in multicultural Berlin and one night in graceful Prague. An elegant experience indeed with Viking River Cruises.
Day 1 Prague
Arrive in Prague, then transfer to your hotel.* After check-in,  join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented.

Day 2 Prague & Melnik
Tour Prague, “City of a Hundred Spires.” Take a guided walk through Old Town; then, ride to Hradcany to tour inside Prague Castle. After some free time to have lunch and explore on your own, transfer to Melnik to embark your ship. (B, D)

Day 3 Litomerice
Spend the morning cruising leisurely through the scenic area of Porta Bohemia on the Elbe. Arrive midafternoon in Litomerice, one of the prettiest towns in the Czech Republic. Learn about St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Jesuit Church, historic Market Square and many residential buildings from the baroque, Renaissance and Gothic periods. The tour ends with a tasting of beers from this Bohemian region. Dine aboard. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Saxon Switzerland
This morning, cruise through the magnificent, soaring rock formations of the Saxon Switzerland region, then dock at the spa town of Bad Schandau. From here we make our way to the famous rock tower known as the Bastei (bastion), formed by water a million years ago. Return aboard for dinner and evening cruising. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Dresden
Embark on a tour of Dresden, nicknamed “Florence on the Elbe.” Drive through the 19th-century residential area to the Dresden Castle complex; enter the Green Vault to see a comprehensive collection of the Saxon monarchs’ crown jewels. Continue on foot to see Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) with its distinctive bell-shaped dome, which survived the World War II bombings but collapsed the following day and was later rebuilt. Dinner is served during evening departure. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Meissen & Torgau
This morning, arrive in Meissen. Visit the Meissen ware factory, which has produced fine porcelain since the early 1700s. Learn firsthand how this trademarked porcelain is created and tour the museum. Proceed to Castle Hill for a walking tour through the Old Town. Return aboard for lunch and an afternoon departure.
Later, arrive in Torgau with its wonderful Renaissance houses. Join your Program Director for an evening stroll to see fortified Hartenfels Castle, Market Square and the riverside monument commemorating the historic 1945 meeting between Russian and American troops. Your ship remains docked overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Wittenberg
Today you cruise the Elbe and arrive after lunch in Wittenberg, birthplace of the Reformation. Follow in Martin Luther’s footsteps to view many of Wittenberg’s historic landmarks. Tour inside Luther’s House and St. Marien’s Church, where he preached. See the Castle Church where Luther posted his 95 Theses; then explore on your own—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Return to your ship for midafternoon departure. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Dessau & Magdeburg
Arrive this morning in Dessau. Take a journey to Wörlitz Park, Germany’s first landscaped park with English-style gardens. Tour inside Wörlitz Castle, fashioned after an English country home, and walk the grounds. Return to your ship for lunch aboard and an afternoon departure. Dine aboard as we sail toward Magdeburg, where we dock for the night. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Potsdam & Berlin
After breakfast, disembark and travel to Potsdam, historic capital of the German state of Brandenburg. Tour either Sanssouci Palace, a perfect example of German rococo architecture, or the nearby 200-room baroque New Palace—both built by Prussian King Frederick the Great in the 18th century. After lunch on your own, we proceed to the dynamic German capital of Berlin. Check in to your hotel and take the rest of the day to explore the city with our group. (B)

Day 10 Berlin
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 2 additional nights in fascinating Berlin, giving you time to see more of the city’s highlights. (B)

The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
Daily Shore Excursions - 9 included guided tours
Included Meals - All onboard meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners
Port Charges -     Included on all itineraries
Airport meet & greet, Taxes, Fees, Fuel Surcharges & Transfers included when air is purchased with cruise through Viking River Cruises.
                Dbl         Single       
D         2890            5290
C         2990            5390
B         3090            5590
A         3390            5990
AX       4190
Transfers $120 per person.
Cabin A Deluxe has 50% more space. Cabins A and A Deluxe are on the upper deck of the ship. Cabins B,C and D are on the main or lower deck. All cabins have a window.
A $500 deposit per person is requited with reservation. Final payment is due December 2, 2011. Prices subject to change based upon availability.  Except where noted, prices are based on double occupancy and do not include airfare, gratuities or alcoholic beverages. Trip insurance is recommended. $100 cancel fee prior to Dec. 2, 2011.