Discover the natural beauty of former East Germany's dramatic landscape with a cruise along the River Elbe. Spend two nights in historic Berli. Tour the opulent palaces of Saxon monarchs and stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens. Marvel at the baroque splendour of Dresden and see first hand how Meissen porcelain is produced. Walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther in historic Wittenberg and learn about the Protestant Reformation. Cruise through the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Germany's "Saxon Switzerland". Conclude your trip with two nights in Prague, a fascinating historic gem.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Berlin Fly from London to Berlin and transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.

Day 2 – Berlin Your city tour highlights Berlin including the City Hall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Cathedral and Brandenburg Gate. Continue your tour to see the Reichstag (Parliament Building) and Berlin Wall. Return to your hotel with the rest of your day at leisure. You could visit Charlottenburg Palace or one of Berlin's many museums.

Day 3 – Berlin, Potsdam and Magdeburg After breakfast, travel to Potsdam. Tour the 18th-century Sanssouci Palace, a perfect example of German rococo architecture built by Prussian King Frederick the Great. After lunch on your own, transfer to Magdeburg to embark your ship. With free time this afternoon, see Magdeburg's lovely cathedral and the 13th-century Magdeburger Reiter, Germany's oldest equestrian statue. Dinner is served onboard. Your ship departs late tonight. (Please note that on rare occasions when Sanssouci Palace is closed to the public, a tour of the New Palace will be substituted.)

Day 4 – Dessau Enjoy scenic cruising before a lunchtime arrival in Dessau. Drive 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 evening departure and dinner on board.

Day 5 – Wittenberg and Torgau Wake up in Wittenberg, birthplace of the reformation. After breakfast, follow in Martin Luther's footsteps and 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 enjoy free time. Return to your ship and depart during lunch. After dinner onboard, arrive in Torgau with its wonderful Renaissance houses. Join your cruise manager 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. You remain docked overnight.

Day 6 – Meissen Today cruise the picturesque Elbe and arrive after lunch in Meissen. Your tour visits the Meissenware factory, which has produced fine porcelain since the early 1700s. See firsthand how this trademarked porcelain is created by hand and tour the museum. Your coach then takes you to Castle Hill for a walking tour through the Old Town. Return to your ship for dinner and free time.

Day 7 – Dresden Arrive during breakfast in Dresden and embark on a tour of this city, nicknamed "Florence on the Elbe." Drive through the 19th-century Residence area with its beautiful baroque architecture and visit Residence Castle with a tour of the Green Vault and its treasured collection of fine art and the Saxon monarch's 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 your evening departure.

Day 8 – Saxon Switzerland and Decin Cruise through the morning and dock at Bad Schandau. From here, you will ride through Saxon Switzerland, a stretch of the Elbe surrounded by rugged sandstone cliffs. Arrive at the Bastei, a natural bridge, to take in the panoramic views and enjoy a walking tour of the area. Return to your ship for dinner and evening cruising. Arrive late in Decin and take an eening stroll through this quaint Czech town.

Day 9 – Litomerice Spend the morning cruising through the scenic area of Porta Bohemia, one of the nicest parts of the Elbe. Arrive mid-afternoon in Litomerice, one of the prettiest towns in the Czech Republic. During your tour, see St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Jesuit Church, historic Market Square and many residential buildings from the Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic periods. Your tour ends with tasting of wines from this Bohemian Region. Dine aboard.

Day 10 – Melnik and Prague Wake up in Melnik and after breakfast depart from your ship for a coach transfer to Prague. Upon arrival, you tour Prague, "City of a Hundred Spires." Take a guided walk through Old Town with some free time to explore on your own. Then ride to Hradcany Castle for a guided tour through the castle interior. Continue to the hotel for check-in and independent dinner.

Day 11 – Prague Today, enjoy a full day to explore 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, or people-watch in Wenceslas Square.

Day 12 – Prague After breakfast, transfer to Prage Airport for the return flight to London. Or, extend your holiday with three nights in Prague

This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction. Port sequence, tours and times may vary .

Departure Dates and Prices 2008

Berlin to Prague 12 Days with 10 Guided Tours - Tour Code VK015

	CAT D	CAT C	CAT B	CAT A
Apr 4; Oct 3, 17	£1690	£1835	£1935	£1980
Jul 25; Aug 22	£1980	£2135	£2225	£2280
May 2, 30; Jun 13, 27; Sept 19	£2080	£2225	£2330	£2370

Prague to Berlin 12 Days with 10 Guided Tours - Tour Code VK016

	CAT D	CAT C	CAT B	CAT A
Apr 11, 25; Oct 10, 24	£1690	£1835	£1935	£1980
July 4; Aug 1, 29	£1980	£2135	£2225	£2280
May 9; Jun 6, 20; Sept 26	£2080	£2225	£2330	£2370

Single Supplements: Cat D, C & B: 75%; Cat A 100%

Prices per person based on double occupancy

Club Class Flight Upgrade: £175 per person (subject to availability)

Flight and Transfer Credit: If you wish to make your own flight and transfer arrangements, a reduction of £300 per person applies.

YOUR FLIGHT DETAILS

Provisional timings are as follows

BERLIN TO PRAGUE

PRAGUE TO BERLI N

MS Viking Schumann

Built in 1991, this ship has 60 cabins and accommodates 124 passengers. Facilities onboard include a restaurant, Panorama lounge and bar, gift shop, sauna and sundeck. A stair lift operates from the upper deck to the restaurant and sundeck. Please note that there is no direct access to the restaurant from the main deck. All cabins are 11 square meters and have shower/wc, air conditioning, telephone, tv and hairdryer. Cabins on the upper deck have a panoramic window which can be opened. Cabins on the main deck have two smaller windows.

A Deck Plan is available on request.

Price Includes:  British Airways return economy scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Berlin and from Prague to London Heathrow or vice versa, 2 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the 4-star Berlin Hilton Hotel (or similar) pre-cruise, 7 nights full board accommodation on board the MS Viking Schumann, 2 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the 4-star Prague Hilton Hotel (or similar), welcome cocktail reception and dinner, Captain's farewell dinner, 10 guided tours, Old World highlights: Port lectures, hand crafted porcelain demonstration and wine tastin, all port and airport taxes, transfers as stated.

Not included: Travel insurance, gratuities, lunch and dinner whilst in hotels in Berlin and Prague.

This cruise is operated on our behalf by Viking River Cruises UK Ltd ATOL3124