Discover the natural beauty of former East Germany's dramatic landscape on an Elbe River cruise. Tour the opulent palaces of Saxon monarchs and stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens; sail between the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Germany's "Saxon Switzerland." Marvel at the baroque splendor of Dresden and see firsthand how Meissenware porcelain is produced. Walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther in historic Wittenberg and learn about the Protestant Reformation. Your journey is bookended by two nights in historic Berlin and two nights in beautiful Prague. An elegant experience indeed.

Day 1 Prague
Welcome to Prague. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.* After check-in, enjoy free time to explore this dynamic city-or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and start getting oriented.

Day 2 Prague
Tour Prague, "City of a Hundred Spires." Take a guided walk through Old Town and enjoy some free time to explore on your own. Then, ride to Hradcany to tour inside Prague Castle for a guided tour through the castle's interior. Return to the Old Town area for dinner on your own. (B)

Day 3 Prague & Melnik
This morning, enjoy Prague at your own pace. See the Town Hall's intricate 15th-century Astronomical Clock, visit the Josefov Quarter to discover the city's vibrant Jewish heritage, walk across Charles Bridge or people-watch in Wenceslas Square. Return to your hotel for check-out and transfer to Melnik to embark your ship. (B, L, D)

Day 4 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. See 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 wines from this Bohemian region. Dine aboard. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Bad Schandau
Cruise through the morning and dock at Bad Schandau. Sail through Saxon Switzerland, a stretch of the Elbe surrounded by rugged sandstone cliffs. Arrive at the Bastei to take in the panoramic views and enjoy a walking tour of the area. Return to your ship for dinner and evening cruising. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Dresden
Embark on a tour of Dresden, nicknamed "Florence on the Elbe." Drive through the 19th-century residence area with its baroque architecture and visit Residence Castle with a tour of the Green Vault and its collections of fine art and the Saxon monarchs' crown jewels. Continue on foot to see Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady. Return to your ship for lunch and free time, or take an optional tour to Pillnitz Castle and its Asian-inspired gardens. Dinner is served during evening departure. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Meissen & Torgau
This morning, arrive in Meissen. Visit the Meissenware factory, which has produced fine porcelain since the early 1700s. See firsthand how this trademarked porcelain is created and tour the museum. Proceed to Castle Hill for a walking tour through the Old Town. Return to your ship for lunch and an afternoon departure. This afternoon, 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 8 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 and depart during dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Dessau & Magdeburg
Arrive this morning in Dessau. Take a journey to Worlitz Park, Germany's first landscaped park with English-style gardens. Tour inside Worlitz Castle, fashioned after an English country home, and walk the grounds. Return to your ship for lunch aboard and an afternoon departure. Later, arrive in Magdeburg. With your free time this evening, see Magdeburg's lovely cathedral and 13th-century Magdeburger Reiter, Germany's oldest equestrian statue. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Potsdam & Berlin
After breakfast, travel by motorcoach to Potsdam. Tour the 18th-century Sanssouci Palace,+ a perfect example of German rococo architecture built by Prussian King Frederick the Great. Enjoy lunch on your own, then transfer to Berlin, capital of Germany, for hotel check-in and dinner on your own. (B)

+On rare occasions when Sanssouci Palace is closed to the public, a tour of New Palace is substituted.

Day 11 Berlin
Your morning tour of Berlin's highlights features City Hall, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin Cathedral and Brandenburg Gate. Continue your tour to the Reichstag (Parliament Building) and Berlin Wall remains. Return to your hotel, with the rest of the day on your own to visit Charlottenburg Palace or one of Berlin's many museums. (B)

Day 12 Berlin
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we will take you to the airport for your return flight.* (B)

Day 8 Amsterdam
After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the Amsterdam airport for your return flight.* (B)

The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.