Musical Interludes - Noble Caledonia

Zwinger Palace, Dresden
A RIVER JOURNEY FROM BERLIN
TO PRAGUE
ABOARD THE MS SWISS RUBY
WITH RODNEY TRUDGEON
Join us aboard the delightful MS Swiss Ruby as
we discover the natural beauty of former East
Germany’s dramatic landscape whilst cruising
along the Elbe River from historic Berlin to
beautiful Prague. For those contemplating a
tour of Middle Europe, the usual option is a
land based coach tour offering overnight
stops and long road journeys. This attractive
itinerary offers an ideal alternative of
relatively short journeys by road, whilst the
major part of the journey is undertaken
aboard our first class vessel.
We begin in Berlin with a two night hotel
stay allowing ample time to discover the
delights of this historic city. We embark our
vessel in Berlin for our seven night relaxing
river voyage along the Elbe. During our
passage we will visit Postsdam, Luther’s
home town of Wittenberg, the famous
porcelain producing town of Meissen and
culturally rich Dresden. Our voyage will take
us through the lovely Elbsandstein Mountain,
where the Elbe has cut a deep valley through
sandstone rocks ending in Prague where we
have an overnight mooring followed by a
two night hotel stay to enjoy this beautiful
and interesting city.
In addition to our exploration of the towns
and cities along the Elbe, there will be the
opportunity to enjoy music performances in
some fabulous venues. We also have the
pleasure of listening to onboard
performances by London Festival Opera in
the intimate setting of the lounge. What
could be better than to listen to highlights of
some of the greatest composers as we cruise
along one of the most fascinating rivers in
Europe.
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Music along the Elbe
7th to 18th October 2013
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to Berlin. Fly by
scheduled flight and transfer to your
centrally located hotel for your two
night stay. This evening join your
fellow passengers for dinner.
Day 2 Berlin. This morning join a
sightseeing tour of this historic city,
including the Cathedral, Reichstag,
Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin
Wall. Afternoon is free for further
Magdeburg
exploration of this vibrant city. This evening we hope to attend an optional
performance at one of Berlins leading music venues. Performance details are
not available at the time of going to press.
Day 3 Berlin. Today’s tour will include a visit to Charlottenburg Palace, the
largest palace in Berlin, and the only surviving royal residence in the city dating
back to the time of the Hohenzollern family. Damaged in the second world
war, the reconstruction work began in the 1950’s and after many years has
been restored to its former wonder. After lunch transfer to the MS Swiss Ruby
on embark for your seven night cruise along the Elbe. After your welcome
dinner enjoy a performance by London Festival Opera as we sail to Potsdam.
Day 4 Potsdam. Potsdam is the capital city of the federal state of
Brandenburg and part of the Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. This
morning we will visit Sanssoucci Palace, the summer residence of Frederick
the Great. Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff built it above the terraced
vineyard from 1745 to 1747 following the King’s ideas and sketches, an
18th-century palace, reminiscent of the grandeur of Versailles, surrounded by
a magnificent 600-acre park. Later we will attend a string quartet concert.
Day 5 Wittenberg. This afternoon’s excursion will visit Luther House and the
Castle Church, where he pinned the 95 articles which led to the Reformation
and the birth of the Protestant religion. We continue to Wörlitz Palace, the
oldest surviving Neo Classical building in Germany, were we will enjoy a
performance of piano music by Fumiko Shiraga. Tonight enjoy a
performance by London Festival Opera.
Day 6 Meissen. In the afternoon join the excursion to Meissen factory
museum, where fine porcelain has been produced since the early 1700s and
see first-hand how this trademarked porcelain is created by hand. Proceed to
Castle Hill for a walking tour through the Old Town. Tonight enjoy a
performance by London Festival Opera.
Day 7 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. After lunch 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.
Day 8 Saxon Switzerland. From Bad Schandau we make our way to the
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Rothensee
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Wittenberg
SAXON
SWITZERLAND
Berlin
Potsdam
G E R M A N Y
Elbe
Meissen
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Dresden •
C Z E C H
R E P U B L I C
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Bad Schandau
Konigstein •
Horin
Prague
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