From Berlin to Hanover, a Captivating Trip through German History and Its Cultural Beauty (port-to-port cruise)

We'll leave by coach from Berlin-Spandau with a local guide who will help us discover the history, monuments and fascinating facets of this particularly historic city. We'll travel up the 17th of June Street to see the famous Victory Column, the Bismarck Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building with its steel and glass cupola. We'll then arrive at the renowned Unter den Linden and head to Museum Island—a complex of five internationally significant museums that occupy the island's northern part—including the Pergamon Museum, and the Alte Nationalgalerie. Beyond Museum Island are the modern Alexanderplatz and its famous Fernsehturm (Berlin TV Tower). You'll be able to go through Checkpoint Charlie, the symbol of the Cold War and passage between the American and Soviet zones during this time. This might seem like just a glance, but you'll be able to discover the monuments that make Berlin one of the most cultural cities in Europe.

PLEASE NOTE

• The tour primarily takes place in a coach with stops for photos.
• Depending on the tour guide, there can be small steps to climb, and the order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll hit the road for Celle, a small city with half-timbered homes and indisputable charm. We'll begin our tour with the castle whose first fortification dates back to 980 AD. The palace's stunning white facade stands out among the surrounding lush green forest. During the castle tour, you'll see the Great Hall, the baroque apartments, the kitchen with 19th-century furniture, and the baroque theater. We'll then head to the historic center of the city, home to structures from the 15th to 18th centuries. The density and beauty of its 500 magnificently restored half-timbered houses are known throughout the world. Colorful facades, golden inscriptions, and intricate carvings adorn the homes. We’ll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach from Berlin Spandau in the company of your guides.
We'll start off with a stroll in the gardens before a tour of Charlottenburg Palace with headset. A walk through the wonders enclosed in its various rooms will take you back to the era of the Prussian Kings. We'll first discover the white room, which used to be the throne room and the sovereign's dining room, as well as the Golden Gallery in flamboyant Rococo style. We'll continue on to the Winter Chambers and sumptuous bedroom of Queen Luise, where you'll catch a glimpse of the furniture partly designed by Schinkel. The library, a collection of snuffboxes belonging to Frederick the Great along with even more surprising features will await you further in the palace. Return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• The palace opens at 10 a.m. Hence, passengers will visit the gardens first. The visit of the palace is done freely with a headset.
• Bags can be left in the luggage office.
• Passengers will visit one part of the palace: the New Wing or the Knobbelsdorf Wing.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach from the northern port of Hanover in the company of local guides to discover the capital of the Land of Lower Saxony. From the 17th century onwards, Hanover played a major role in politics. In 1714, the son of Ernst-August of Hanover became King of Great Britain under the name of George I, a personal union which was a considerable source of prestige for the principality of Hanover.
First of all you will pass alongside the famous Baroque Gardens of Herrenhausen before heading for the 18th century New City Hall, where your guides will explain Hanover's history with the help of four models showing the city at different times (1875, 1939, 1945 and today). You will continue with a panoramic city tour to see the main sights such as Niki de Saint Phalle's Nana statues on the banks of the Leine, the Maschsee - an artificial lake dug by unemployed workers on a job creation scheme in the 1930s - the Opera House, the Grand Theater, the ruins of the Aegidien Church bombed during the war and where the Peace Bell now hangs, and many more. You will stop for a stroll through the Old Town, to see the Market Church and its curiosities, the 15th century Old City Hall and Leibniz's House.
The visit ends at the bus station where our coach will drop you off and you'll bid your guide goodbye. Free time in the central station area and the modern city center.
Departure from Hanover to return on board at Hanover Anderten or Minden.

PLEASE NOTE

• Visit by coach with stops at the New City Hall and in the old town.
• The boat will sail during the excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach for Magdeburg where we will meet up with local guides.
Magdeburg was once the cradle of the German nation. The first Germanic Holy Roman Emperor, Otto the Great, had an imposing cathedral built here and made the town into an archbishopric. Magdeburg became a center for Western Christianity and the High Court of judicial power in the Middle Ages.
We'll begin our tour with the Magdeburg Cathedral, home to the tomb of Emperor Otto I the Great. Magdeburg is a Hanseatic city located midway on the Elbe River and the Roman Roads—in the heart of Germany rich with a multi-faceted history. Its other sacred monuments include the Magdalenekapelle, St. Petrikirche, Wallonerkirche, Monastery of Our Lady and St. John's Church. We'll continue our panoramic tour by seeing the city's main monuments, including the citadel. Once located in East Germany, the city has retained its grey, square, Soviet-style buildings which are embellished today with molding and decorations. We'll visit the marketplace to see the magnificent replica of the Magdeburger Reiter, as well as the town hall and its bronze door. You'll finish up the tour with some free time on your own.

PLEASE NOTE

• Beware! Depending on the water level of the Elbe river, the boat could stop at the lock of Rothensee instead of mooring in Magdeburg.
• Return to the boat will be on foot or by coach depending on water level.
• The boat will sail during the excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave by coach with local guides who will help you discover the history of Former Prussia and its illustrious monarchs. In Potsdam, the visit will begin with a walk through the gardens at the Sanssouci Palace. You'll walk the flower-lined pathways and staircases leading through the terraced garden to the residence of Frederick the Great, built between 1745 and 1747. The personal tastes of the king had such an influence on the design and the decoration of the palace that its style is often referred to as "Frederician Rococo”. Then, you will take a tour around the Sans Souci park by coach to admire its many and astonishing buildings.
We'll head back to downtown Potsdam for some free time in the Dutch district.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended: walk in the Sanssouci gardens with stairs to climb.
• The boat is sailing during the excursion (only in the Amsterdam-Berlin cruise).
• Beware! We'll only visit the gardens of the Sanssouci palace, with no further visit inside the palace.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We will reach the Autostadt either on foot - a 5 min walk crossing a bridge over the Mittelandkanal - or by coach, depending on mooring and sailing conditions. We'll meet up with our guides in the entrance hall or Piazza, and start off with a visit of the Forum, an area dedicated to road safety and new energies. We'll then move on to the "ZeitHaus", the automobile museum with educational areas. Our tour will end with a visit to the Customer Center located right next to the Car Towers where customers who have ordered Volkswagens are welcome to collect them. We'll still have some free time to visit the Brand Pavilions carrying such names as Audi, Lamborghini, Skoda and more. Why not try your hand on some driving simulators or a Volkswagen SUV on rough terrain?
Return on board by coach in Sülfeld/Fallersleben or on foot in Wolfsburg.

PLEASE NOTE

• The tour does not include a visit of the production line. Passengers would have to plan their visit during their free time.
• Commentaries on the tourist train are provided in German.
• Depending on sailing, departure is either from Wolfsburg with return to the boat by coach, or by coach with return to the boat in Wolfsburg.
• The boat sails during the excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.