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Europe – Germany and Poland
The Elbe River: Journey through a Timeless Land
Aboard the Frederic Chopin
Overview
Dates Sep 10 — Sep 20, 2008
Activity Level Moderately Active
The Elbe River traverses a land filled with captivating treasures, flowing past terraced vineyards and lush orchards of northern Bohemia, fortress-crowned crags and spectacular gorges of Saxon Switzerland, and exquisite waterside gardens of Baroque palaces. Along its banks stand vibrant cities that have witnessed some of history's most dramatic moments, from Martin Luther's provocative 95 Reformantion Theses in Wittenberg to Prague's Velvet Revolution. Join us on an unforgettable journey as we cruise aboard the elegant Frederic Chopin from Prague to Potsdam. In Prague, experience the city's Old World charm, its legendary Art Nouveau architecture, and the rapidly changing pulse of a city gravitating toward the "New Europe." Enjoy a private musical performance and candle-lit dinner dinner in a medieval castle near Prague, attend an exclusive organ concert in Meissen's Gothic cathedral, see superb art collections in Dresden, and savor Sachsen wines during a guided tasting. September is the ideal time to visit this region, with mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and vivid seasonal colors framing the waterways.
To download a full brochure for this program, click the PDF button at the top right side of this page.
Map
Itinerary
- Days 1 and 2 — U.S. / Prague, Czech Republic
- Days 3 and 4 — Prague
- Day 5 — Prague / Terezin / Embark the Frederic Chopin
- Day 6 — Königstein, Germany / Bad Schandau / Dresden
- Day 7 — Dresden / Pillnitz, Germany
- Day 8 — Dresden / Meissen
- Day 9 — Wittenberg
- Day 10 — Magdeburg
- Day 11 — Potsdam / Disembark / Berlin / U.S.
Highlights
Post-Tour Extension
Optional Post-Tour Extension to Berlin
September 20-22, 2008
Discover Potsdam's highlights, including the stunning Rococo Sanssouci Palace and Park and Cecilienhof Manor, where Churchill, Truman, and Stalin decided Germany's fate at the Potsdam Conference of 1945. During your three-night stay in the heart of east Berlin, visit the restored Reichstag building and historic Brandenburg Gate; see a remaining section of the Berlin Wall at the site of the former Gestapo headquarters; and tour the Picture Gallery, one of Germany's greatest art museums housing more than a thousand European masterpieces. Experience a traditional Berliner pub, take in the Pergamon Museum, and enjoy a special dinner at one of Berlin's outstanding restaurants. The itinerary includes free time for independent exploration of Berlin's lively cultural scene.
Program Leaders
Ursula Rehn Wolfman
Ursula Rehn Wolfman is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Born in Steinfeld, Austria, Ursula was educated in Germany, England, France, and the United States. As an independent scholar who formerly worked with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, her particular field of interest is the relationship between the arts, literature, painting/sculpture, architecture, and music. She has lectured extensively in the U.S. and abroad on French literature and its relationship with the arts. She received the Diplome Superieur from the Sorbonne in Paris and completed her graduate studies in the United States at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a doctorate in French literature and philosophy and a minor in art history. Ursula has led tours for the Smithsonian to France, Austria, Germany and several cruises in the Baltic region.
Sponsors
Smithsonian Journeys
Accommodations
Cruise Ship
The Frederic Chopin
Designed exclusively for cruising the shallow European rivers, the intimate, 5-star Frederic Chopin offers luxurious comfort for up to 79 passengers in 41 spacious, outside-facing cabins. Upper-deck staterooms have full-length French doors that open, and those on the lower deck have large picture windows. All double cabins are the same size and configured with either a queen bed or two twin beds. Cabins are beautifully appointed with built-in closets, a desk, shower and toilet, television, telephone, refrigerator, safe, hair dryer, and four-channel radio. Bedding is European-style duvets with feather pillows and eiderdowns (synthetic materials available upon request). The vessel is fully air conditioned and is decorated with original artwork. Three sumptuous meals a day are served at a single seating in the lovely dining room and are complimented by mid-morning bouillon service, afternoon tea, and a late-night snack. A lounge, bar, and sun deck provide comfortable space for conversation and relaxation. Service aboard the Frederic Chopin is superlative, with a ratio of crew to passengers that is the highest of any European river vessel.
Program Rates
Airfare
U.S. domestic and international airfare is not included in the program rates. High Country Passage is happy to assist you in making individual flight arrangements.
Program Rates
From $6,290 per person, double occupancy; $9,435 single