Bookended by stays in Berlin, Germany’s capital and the second-largest urban area in Europe, and Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, our Essence of the Elbe River Cruise is punctuated by memorable stays in Western Europe’s riverside gems.
Spend two nights in Berlin, with time to explore this historic city on your own and on an included tour. Along the Elbe, you'll enjoy a day in Torgau, where a local resident discusses the significance of U.S. and Soviet troops meeting during the German invasion (an exclusive Discovery Series event) and witness one of the largest treasure collections in Europe at the Royal Palace's Historic Green Vault in Dresden. You'll also visit the Wittenberg church where Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses … witness Dresden’s stunning renewal—still in progress since the end of World War II … sail through the dramatic sandstone mountains to Swiss Saxony and round out your trip with two nights in Prague, featuring an included city tour.
Spend two nights in Berlin, with time to explore this historic city on your own and on an included tour. Along the Elbe, you'll enjoy a day in Torgau, where a local resident discusses the significance of U.S. and Soviet troops meeting during the German invasion (an exclusive Discovery Series event) and witness one of the largest treasure collections in Europe at the Royal Palace's Historic Green Vault in Dresden. You'll also visit the Wittenberg church where Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses … witness Dresden’s stunning renewal—still in progress since the end of World War II … sail through the dramatic sandstone mountains to Swiss Saxony and round out your trip with two nights in Prague, featuring an included city tour.
Click on the image above to see the itinerary
Optional
Pre-trip - May 6
Highlights of Poland: Warsaw & Krakow
5 nights from only $945
Post-trip - May 24
Hamburg, Germany
3 nights from only $595
Pre-trip - May 6
Highlights of Poland: Warsaw & Krakow
5 nights from only $945
Post-trip - May 24
Hamburg, Germany
3 nights from only $595
Click on the link below to see
Blogs from Essence of the Elbe
Click on the links below to enjoy the photos
John Menard's photos from Poland Prague Germany
How to Download Photos from One Drive
Memories of The Essence of the Elbe
Waldi's crazy clothes
Sausage makers' protest in Poland - the EU wants to ban smoked meat. What would Poland be without kielbasa?
Two musical dinners - who doesn't smile and laugh when serenaded by an accordion?? (Did I mention unlimited drinks???)
Being in Krakow and knowing that my grandparents all lived within a 100 miles or so made the place seem quite different than any other foreign city I have ever visited.
We have all seen the photos and the movies of the gas room and the ovens in Auschwitz. But actually standing in the room in which it took place, is a very different feeling.
The same can be said about the Berlin wall. Occurred to me that more 20th century history took place in Berlin than any other city in the world.
Blogs from Essence of the Elbe
Click on the links below to enjoy the photos
John Menard's photos from Poland Prague Germany
How to Download Photos from One Drive
Memories of The Essence of the Elbe
Waldi's crazy clothes
Sausage makers' protest in Poland - the EU wants to ban smoked meat. What would Poland be without kielbasa?
Two musical dinners - who doesn't smile and laugh when serenaded by an accordion?? (Did I mention unlimited drinks???)
Being in Krakow and knowing that my grandparents all lived within a 100 miles or so made the place seem quite different than any other foreign city I have ever visited.
We have all seen the photos and the movies of the gas room and the ovens in Auschwitz. But actually standing in the room in which it took place, is a very different feeling.
The same can be said about the Berlin wall. Occurred to me that more 20th century history took place in Berlin than any other city in the world.
Pre-Trip Learning Events
Poland by Klaudia Jurewicz, Thursday, 2/20 3-4:30 PM. Fee: $ 5
Travel Photography by Dik Salsbury, Tuesday, 4/1 AND Thursday, 4/3 10 –11:30 AM Fee: $ 10
Spirit Tasting by Roman Yasinsky, Mondays 2-4:00 PM Fee: $ 40 each
Foreign Language Film Festival: films are free and are shown in the Chaparral Center, Havasupai-Maricopa rooms
Social Events
Christmas Open House - December 14, 2014 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Q & A Session, Friday, March 21, 2015, 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Wine and Appetizers, Friday, March 21, 2015, 4:30 PM
Christmas Open House: 3:00 - 5:00 PM, December 6, 2015
Poland by Klaudia Jurewicz, Thursday, 2/20 3-4:30 PM. Fee: $ 5
Travel Photography by Dik Salsbury, Tuesday, 4/1 AND Thursday, 4/3 10 –11:30 AM Fee: $ 10
Spirit Tasting by Roman Yasinsky, Mondays 2-4:00 PM Fee: $ 40 each
- 2/17 Beers
- 3/10 German Wines
Foreign Language Film Festival: films are free and are shown in the Chaparral Center, Havasupai-Maricopa rooms
- In July (German), January 13, 6:30 PM and January 20 at 4:00 PM
- Jerikow (German), February 24, 6:30 PM or March 3, 4:00 PM
- Beginning 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM – Thursdays
Int/Advanced 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM – Thursdays
Social Events
Christmas Open House - December 14, 2014 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Q & A Session, Friday, March 21, 2015, 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Wine and Appetizers, Friday, March 21, 2015, 4:30 PM
Christmas Open House: 3:00 - 5:00 PM, December 6, 2015
Essence of the Elbe Handbook
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Click on Image for Breaking News Germany
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Berlin
Things to do in Warsaw & Krakow
by John Menard
Our itinerary: gct – pre-trip to Warsaw and Krakow which says we have the afternoon when we get in on our own AND the next afternoon on our own as well.
So I have been investigating what the options are for those afternoons.
I’ve also attached the map from the guide and added our hotel to the map. It is suitable for printing which I’ve already done.
Most everything is within walking distance. Except the Wilanów Palace which is 7 miles away: map
Our Warsaw hotel: Warsaw Sheraton is on the Nowy Świat which is a main street that is typically visited by tourists.
The Centre for Contemporary Art is in the former Ujazdów Castle: map
To get an idea of distances, here is a map with some of the sites.
Near North of our hotel: map
Far North of our hotel: map
We could wander South the day we arrive, and North the next day when we have more time and are a bit more adjusted.
South includes the Centre for Contemporary Art which is in the former Ujazdów Castle and the Chopin Memorial: map
One curiosity are these Chopin benches all over the city: 15 Chopin's benches
This is pretty good introduction to a tourist’s view of Warsaw: Warsaw In Your Pocket - Warsaw, Poland Highlights
The 2 must sees appear to be the Palace of Culture and Science, and Old Town.
-------------------------------------------------
And this was just sort of fun: Top 10 Awesome Facts About Poland
Then we travel to 14th-century Jasna Gora Monastery, home of the famous Black Madonna shrine, and then to Krakow: map
---------------------------------------------
In Krakow we are staying at the Park Inn Krakow which is in the middle of it all.
The optional tours – both of which I plan on taking – include the Wieliczka Salt Mine: map
and Auschwitz: map
As a result there won’t be as much time to see Krakow as there was in Warsaw.
The one included tour is of the city and includes Wawel Castle
Here is nice little list of things to see in Krakow: Top 10: Best Free Things to Do in Krakow
Things near our hotel: map
Things a little further away: map
Found a nice map of Krakow and I added our hotel to it – lower left corner.
by John Menard
Our itinerary: gct – pre-trip to Warsaw and Krakow which says we have the afternoon when we get in on our own AND the next afternoon on our own as well.
So I have been investigating what the options are for those afternoons.
I’ve also attached the map from the guide and added our hotel to the map. It is suitable for printing which I’ve already done.
Most everything is within walking distance. Except the Wilanów Palace which is 7 miles away: map
Our Warsaw hotel: Warsaw Sheraton is on the Nowy Świat which is a main street that is typically visited by tourists.
The Centre for Contemporary Art is in the former Ujazdów Castle: map
To get an idea of distances, here is a map with some of the sites.
Near North of our hotel: map
Far North of our hotel: map
We could wander South the day we arrive, and North the next day when we have more time and are a bit more adjusted.
South includes the Centre for Contemporary Art which is in the former Ujazdów Castle and the Chopin Memorial: map
One curiosity are these Chopin benches all over the city: 15 Chopin's benches
This is pretty good introduction to a tourist’s view of Warsaw: Warsaw In Your Pocket - Warsaw, Poland Highlights
The 2 must sees appear to be the Palace of Culture and Science, and Old Town.
-------------------------------------------------
And this was just sort of fun: Top 10 Awesome Facts About Poland
Then we travel to 14th-century Jasna Gora Monastery, home of the famous Black Madonna shrine, and then to Krakow: map
---------------------------------------------
In Krakow we are staying at the Park Inn Krakow which is in the middle of it all.
The optional tours – both of which I plan on taking – include the Wieliczka Salt Mine: map
and Auschwitz: map
As a result there won’t be as much time to see Krakow as there was in Warsaw.
The one included tour is of the city and includes Wawel Castle
Here is nice little list of things to see in Krakow: Top 10: Best Free Things to Do in Krakow
Things near our hotel: map
Things a little further away: map
Found a nice map of Krakow and I added our hotel to it – lower left corner.
Essence of the Elbe
by John Menard
GCT trip description: Prague to Berlin (Note that our whole trip is in one time zone.)
Monday May 12th:
This map of the bus ride from Krakow to Prague shows it to be about 5 hours. With a couple of stops, I assume we won’t get to Prague until3pm or even later.
We have only one full day in Prague and there is a lot to see. Fortunately, most everything to see in Prague is in one general area about 1.5 miles north of our hotel, the Park Inn Prague.
Given the limited time in Prague, I plan on skipping the optional Jewish Prague tour.
Here’s a nice list of things to see on that day or day and half: Don't miss sites in Prague including Prague Castle. It includes is a virtual tour of the Castle.
A map of Prague is below but our hotel is below the bottom of the map so the map does not show our hotel.
Using that and a few other things, I put together a walking Google map of what to see:
From our hotel to Old Town, there is only one mildly interesting site: map
From Old Town we can make a loop that will include most everything: map
========================================================
Wednesday May 14th: day we board our ship
From Prague we travel to Litomerice and then on to Dresden. We have lunch and they show us some of Litomerice
In Dresden we go right to our ship. The total time on the bus should only be about 2 hours with Litomerice in the middle: map.
Thursday is spent on ship and bus to get us to Bastei and back again. By car the trip there and back is just over 2 hours so there should be plenty of time to take in the sights from the ship and then the bus which look impressive.
Friday morning they take us around Dresden and in the afternoon we are on our own: map.
Everything worth seeing in Dresden appears to be close together.
Saturday May 17th:
Meissen is less than an hour north of Dresden. In the morning we are taken to the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory.
Rest of the day we are on our own OR there is an optional tour in the afternoon Volkswagen’s Transparent Factory. (What’s interesting is that the factory is back in the center of Dresden: map.)
There are a couple of castles but you need to drive to get to them: map
But there seems to be a fair bit in Meissen: map
On Sunday we travel to Torgau where we get a guided tour and then some free time: map
Monday May 19th:
Monday morning we are in Wittenberg where we have a walking tour that includes the church where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses: map
Tuesday afternoon we get to Tangermunde where we have a walking tour of Tangermunde: map
Wednesday May 21st – we leave the ship after 7 nights on board
and take a bus to Potsdam for a tour that includes Cecilienhof Palace and in the afternoon we are on to Berlin: map
We get an orientation walk after checking into our hotel the Park Inn Berlin.
On Thursday morning there is an included tour of Berlin. The rest of the time – including part of the previous late afternoon and all of this afternoon, we are on our own.
A German web site I found listed what they consider Berlin’s Top 10 Attractions. Some are walkable from our hotel, some are further away.
near attractions: map
further attractions: map
In addition, here is map that has more sites worth seeing in Berlin for anyone with the extra time: Berlin Printable Tourist Map. On this map our hotel is between the sites “X” and “W”.
This site looks pretty good: http://www.visitberlin.de/en
Friday May 23rd:
The official end of the River Elbe cruise trip is in the morning after breakfast.
by John Menard
GCT trip description: Prague to Berlin (Note that our whole trip is in one time zone.)
Monday May 12th:
This map of the bus ride from Krakow to Prague shows it to be about 5 hours. With a couple of stops, I assume we won’t get to Prague until3pm or even later.
We have only one full day in Prague and there is a lot to see. Fortunately, most everything to see in Prague is in one general area about 1.5 miles north of our hotel, the Park Inn Prague.
Given the limited time in Prague, I plan on skipping the optional Jewish Prague tour.
Here’s a nice list of things to see on that day or day and half: Don't miss sites in Prague including Prague Castle. It includes is a virtual tour of the Castle.
A map of Prague is below but our hotel is below the bottom of the map so the map does not show our hotel.
Using that and a few other things, I put together a walking Google map of what to see:
From our hotel to Old Town, there is only one mildly interesting site: map
From Old Town we can make a loop that will include most everything: map
========================================================
Wednesday May 14th: day we board our ship
From Prague we travel to Litomerice and then on to Dresden. We have lunch and they show us some of Litomerice
In Dresden we go right to our ship. The total time on the bus should only be about 2 hours with Litomerice in the middle: map.
Thursday is spent on ship and bus to get us to Bastei and back again. By car the trip there and back is just over 2 hours so there should be plenty of time to take in the sights from the ship and then the bus which look impressive.
Friday morning they take us around Dresden and in the afternoon we are on our own: map.
Everything worth seeing in Dresden appears to be close together.
Saturday May 17th:
Meissen is less than an hour north of Dresden. In the morning we are taken to the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory.
Rest of the day we are on our own OR there is an optional tour in the afternoon Volkswagen’s Transparent Factory. (What’s interesting is that the factory is back in the center of Dresden: map.)
There are a couple of castles but you need to drive to get to them: map
But there seems to be a fair bit in Meissen: map
On Sunday we travel to Torgau where we get a guided tour and then some free time: map
Monday May 19th:
Monday morning we are in Wittenberg where we have a walking tour that includes the church where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses: map
Tuesday afternoon we get to Tangermunde where we have a walking tour of Tangermunde: map
Wednesday May 21st – we leave the ship after 7 nights on board
and take a bus to Potsdam for a tour that includes Cecilienhof Palace and in the afternoon we are on to Berlin: map
We get an orientation walk after checking into our hotel the Park Inn Berlin.
On Thursday morning there is an included tour of Berlin. The rest of the time – including part of the previous late afternoon and all of this afternoon, we are on our own.
A German web site I found listed what they consider Berlin’s Top 10 Attractions. Some are walkable from our hotel, some are further away.
near attractions: map
further attractions: map
In addition, here is map that has more sites worth seeing in Berlin for anyone with the extra time: Berlin Printable Tourist Map. On this map our hotel is between the sites “X” and “W”.
This site looks pretty good: http://www.visitberlin.de/en
Friday May 23rd:
The official end of the River Elbe cruise trip is in the morning after breakfast.
