Included in tour package<ul><li>Amsterdam</li><li>Volendam</li><li>The Meyer Werft shipyard</li><li>Bremen</li><li>Transfer to downtown Nienburg</li><li>Hanover</li><li>Madgeburg</li><li>Potsdam and the Sanssouci garden</li><li>Berlin by night</li><li>Monastery Chorin</li><li>Szczecin</li><li>The islands of Usedom</li><li>Greifswald</li><li>The islands of R&uuml;gen</li><li>Straslund</li></ul>

We&rsquo;ll leave by coach for a guided tour of the city. Amsterdam is one of the most unique and extraordinary cities in the world. From its romantic canals to its world-renowned museums and historical significance, it&rsquo;s a city that never ceases to surprise. Our first stop will be the Riecker Windmill, a windmill located on the riverbanks of the Amstel River, south of the city. This mill was built in 1636 in the village of Sloten and was used as a polder mill for the polder of the same name (Riekerpolder). The pumping of the polder water was taken over by an electric pumping station in 1932 and, when the polder was dug, the mill was then dismantled to create, among other things, Lake Het Nieuw Meer. The mill was rebuilt in 1961 on the riverbanks of the Amstel, around 8 km (approx. 5 miles) away, between the roads leading to Kalfjeslaan and Borcht. This part of the Amstel banks, very popular with tourists and walkers, is a prime location for an old Dutch windmill. A statue of Rembrandt was erected close to this mill to remind us that the painter made many drawings on the banks of this river. Afterwards, we&rsquo;ll continue on towards the Bloemenmarkt, the famous floating flower market. One of the most fragrant places in Amsterdam in any seasons thanks to its thousands of flowers and multitude of varieties, this unique market will make your head spin! At the end of our visit, we&rsquo;ll return to the ship by coach.PLEASE NOTE<ul><li>Panoramic tour with stops to take pictures and free time.</li><li>The order of the visits can change.</li><li>Times are approximate.</li></ul>

Amsterdam

We&#39;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&#39;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&#39;ll then arrive at the renowned Unter den Linden and head to Museum Island&mdash;a complex of five internationally significant museums that occupy the island&#39;s northern part&mdash;including the Pergamon Museum, and the Alte Nationalgalerie. Beyond Museum Island are the modern Alexanderplatz and its famous Fernsehturm (Berlin TV Tower). You&#39;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&#39;ll be able to discover the monuments that make Berlin one of the most cultural cities in Europe.

PLEASE NOTE

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

Panoramic tour of Berlin

Departure with your guide to visit the historic center of this Hanseatic city. 
One of the oldest German maritime cities, Bremen was granted the right to hold market as early as 965 and joined the Hanseatic League in 1358. It became a Free Imperial City in 1646 and established a direct commercial relationship with the USA in 1783. Traditionally, the city is known for its cotton and coffee trade and forms, together with its Bremerhaven fore-port, an incredibly unified Land. 
Our visit will start with the working-class district of Schnoor, located on the banks of the Weser River. This is the oldest district in Bremen and its narrow streets filled with small half-timbered houses and a big Church form a charming ensemble. The neighborhood owes its name to old handicrafts associated with shipping, and the alleys between the houses were often associated with occupations or objects. There was an area in which ropes and cables were produced, giving the district its name (string = Schnoor). 
We&#39;ll continue towards Marktplatz where you&#39;ll get to see St Peter&#39;s Cathedral and the wonderful City Hall in Weser Renaissance style. Also standing on Marktplatz is the 1404 statue of Roland, protector of the city, the oldest in Germany. Bremen is also famous for another statue located right behind the City Hall - the Town Musicians of Bremen. The statue depicts a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster with respect to the Brothers Grimm&#39;s fairy tale. Don&#39;t forget to make a wish! 
Our visit ends after a walk down the B&ouml;ttcherstrasse, a street famous for its unusual architectural ensemble belonging to a variant of the expressionist style. We&#39;ll pass the entrance gate with its impressive golden fresco depicting the Lichtbringer, Bringer of Light. 
Free time and return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Good walking shoes are recommended.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Guided tour of Bremen

Departure by coach from Berlin Spandau in the company of your guides. 
We&#39;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&#39;ll first discover the white room, which used to be the throne room and the sovereign&#39;s dining room, as well as the Golden Gallery in flamboyant Rococo style. We&#39;ll continue on to the Winter Chambers and sumptuous bedroom of Queen Luise, where you&#39;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

<ul>
	<li>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.</li>
	<li>Bags can be left in the luggage office.</li>
	<li>Passengers will visit one part of the palace: the New Wing or the Knobbelsdorf Wing.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Tour of the Charlottenburg Castle

Departure by coach from Oderberg in the company of your guide for a tour of the Chorin Cistercian Monastery. 
This 13th century monastery is viewed as one of the masterpieces of Brick Gothic, typical of Northern Germany. Settled amidst an unspoiled picturesque landscape on the Southern edge of the Uckermark region, it was once a significant center for architecture in the Middle-Ages. The monastery lost its distinctiveness at the time of the Reformation and was then used as a quarry. It enjoyed a renewed interest in the 19th century, when Romanticism rediscovered the hidden beauty in old ruins.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>The ship will be sailing during the excursion.</li>
	<li>Good walking shoes are recommended: the monastery is located on the edge of a forest and there are some dirt roads.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Guided tour of the Chorin Monastery

Departure by coach from the charming fishermen town of Wieck for a visit of downtown Greifswald on foot. In the company of your guide, you will discover this lovely Hanseatic town with its renovated Brick Gothic style buildings typical of Northern Germany. Our walk along the ramparts surrounding the center will take us past the city&#39;s imposing churches - St. Jacob (St. Jacobi-Kirche), St.-Mary (St.-Marien-Kirche) and the Cathedral (Dom St. Nikolai) - as well as the Town Hall. The most romantic spot in the city is without a doubt the inner courtyard of St Spiritus hospice, which today houses a Socio-Cultural Center. Greifswald-born artist and one of the most famous figures of German Romanticism, Caspar David Friedrich immortalized this city through one of his paintings. 
Free time before returning on board.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Good walking shoes are recommended.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Guided tour of Greifswald

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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;s House. 
The visit ends at the bus station where our coach will drop you off and you&#39;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

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

Guided tour of Hanover

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&#39;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&mdash;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&#39;s Church. We&#39;ll continue our panoramic tour by seeing the city&#39;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&#39;ll visit the marketplace to see the magnificent replica of the Magdeburger Reiter, as well as the town hall and its bronze door. You&#39;ll finish up the tour with some free time on your own.

PLEASE NOTE

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

Guided tour of Magdeburg

We&#39;ll leave by coach with our guide for Volendam, a charming village that has preserved its character for over six centuries thanks to the tough vitality of its fishermen. We&#39;ll then visit a cheese factory in the area to discover how the famous Gouda cheese is made. We&#39;ll enjoy tasting the different flavors and ages available of one of the most popular cheeses in the world. We&#39;ll then head for Zaanse Schans, an open air museum with wooden windmills, barns, and houses. Take a walk through the stunning buildings and the unique peat landscape or watch traditional clog making techniques. Don&#39;t miss the small but impressive clog museum that features one of the largest and most attractive collections of wooden shoes in the Netherlands: painted, carved, ice clogs with iron trimmings, horse clogs, and decorative clogs. Take advantage of some free time on this excursion to indulge in authentic Dutch traditions. We&#39;ll return to our ship in Amsterdam by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Good walking shoes are recommended: guided visit on foot at Volendam and Zaanse Schans.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Excursion to Volendam and Zaanse-Schans

Departure by coach from the Papenburg lock towards Meyer Werft Shipyard. Founded in 1975, the shipyard has been owned and managed by the Meyer family for six generations. The first ships that were built there were small wooden vessels. Less than a hundred years later, the first iron ship was launched notwithstanding the other manufacturers mocking the idea, thinking that iron could not float. Meyer Werft gained international recognition through the construction of roll on/roll off ferries, passenger ferries, gasoline tankers, container ships, livestock ferries and most recently luxury cruise ships. Due to its upstream location on the river Ems, the giant ships to be delivered have to make a 36 km voyage to the Dollart. 
A passionate guide will tell you all about the various stages in the construction of these floating sea monsters during your one and a half hour tour. 
Return on board by coach after the Doerpen or Delfzijl locks.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>The boat will sail during the excursion.</li>
	<li>Visit entirely on foot in the shipyard buildings. Passengers will only see the shipyard from behind bay windows.</li>
	<li>Beware! Information is sometimes given in German (introduction film, notice boards etc.).</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Guided tour of the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg

Departure by coach in the company of your hostess towards downtown Nienburg. 
You&#39;ll be free to discover this beautiful little Lower Saxony town at your own pace. Nienburg is famous for its asparagus. 
Charming little Nienburg was nicknamed &quot;red town&rdquo; after the red bricks most of the houses in the city center, St Martin Church and the streets were built and paved with, a style typical of northern Germany. You&#39;ll get to follow in the &quot;bear&#39;s footsteps&rdquo; down an educational pathway that was created by the tourist office, a chance for you to discover some of the town&#39;s monuments such as the Town Hall from Weser Renaissance, St Martin Church with a statue of Charlemagne standing before it as a reminder of his fight against the Celts in the region, the Kleine Nienburgerin, the bronze statue of a young child from a beloved folk song, and the former Post Office which ensured communication between the Kingdoms of Hanover and England. 
Return on board in Stolzenau or Hoja.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>The boat will sail during the excursion.</li>
	<li>Passengers will visit the town on their own.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Transfer to downtown Nienburg

We&#39;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&#39;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 &quot;Frederician Rococo&rdquo;. 
We&#39;ll get back on the coach and take a spin around the Sanssouci Park to admire its fabulous structures before heading to Cecilienhof Palace. Cecilienhof Palace was built from 1914 to 1917 for Crown Prince William and his wife, Cecilie von Mecklenburg-Schwerin, as a gift from Emperor Wilhelm II. After the end of the war in Europe, the Potsdam Conference - attended by Stalin, Churchill and Truman - was held in the palace from July 17 - August 2, 1945. Here, Churchill and Truman also defined the terms of surrender together for Japan. 
After our visit, we&#39;ll head back to downtown Potsdam for some free time in the Dutch district before returning to the ship by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Good walking shoes are recommended: walk in the Sanssouci gardens with stairs to climb and a walk in the Cecilienhof gardens.</li>
	<li>The boat is sailing during the excursion (only in the Amsterdam-Berlin cruise).</li>
	<li>Beware! We&#39;ll only visit the gardens of the Sanssouci palace, with no further visit inside the palace.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Panoramic tour of Potsdam and visit of the Sanssouci Gardens

Departure by coach in the company of your guide to discover Rugen Island, the biggest island in Germany. This tour will give you a good idea of the diversity of its landscapes, from rapeseed and wheat fields to the banks of the Baltic sea and its chalk cliffs. Rugen was the most famous holiday resort in Germany up until World War II. In 1936, a bridge between Rugen and the mainland was built. This ideal vacation spot in former GDR saw an emphasis on investment for new infrastructures after the reunification of the country. You will go through Putbus, first seaside resort founded in 1816, before visiting the island&#39;s main city of Bergen with its 20,000 inhabitants. Finally you will reach Jasmund National Park with its famous chalk cliffs towering at 100m above the sea. Free time in the seaside resort of Binz, a chance for you to wander along this delightful beach before returning on board.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Tour of the island by coach with stops and free time.</li>
	<li>Good walking shoes are recommended: stop to the K&ouml;nigstuhl (the King&#39;s chair) - cliffs.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Panoramic tour of the Rugen Island

This walking tour will bring to life the history of this Hanseatic town surrounded by water. Amidst its picturesque historic center where famous Brick Gothic prevails, you&#39;ll discover Nikolaikirche (St Nicholas&#39;s Church) - the oldest one in Stralsund and also one of the most beautiful religious edifices in northern Europe - as well as Jakobikirche (St James&#39;s Church) dating from the 14th century. You&#39;ll also see the Katharinenkloster (Monastery of St Catherine) founded in 1251 by the Dominicans and the Johanniskloster (Franciscan Monastery), built in 1254. From the Old Market Square, enjoy a view of the red brick Gothic Town Hall from the 13th century and its northern fa&ccedil;ade ornate with the Stralsund, Greifswald, Rostock, Hamburg and L&uuml;beck coats of arms, commemorating the powerful Hanseatic League. The unique city of Stralsund has been listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 2002. 
Enjoy some free time before returning on board.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>At the end of the visit, passengers will have free time and return on board at their own pace.</li>
	<li>Good walking shoes are recommended.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Guided walking tour of Stralsund

Departure by coach for our tour of the capital of the Dukes of Pomerania. Once a flourishing port, the city, which suffered serious damage in the Second World War, has nonetheless preserved an architectural heritage which bears witness to its past splendors. We will stop inside the courtyard of the Ducal Castle dating from the 14th century. The Dukes of Pomerania ruled for over 500 years and in 1637, after the death of the last sovereign who left his kingdom without an heir, the treaty of Szczecin split the Duchy of Pomerania in half and left the city occupied by the Swedish Empire. This is but a detail from the town&#39;s tormented history, one you&#39;ll get to hear from your guide. We&#39;ll also admire The Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle which was built between the 13th and 14th centuries, as well as the wonderful view over the Port of Szczecin from the terrace of the Maritime Museum. 

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Coach tour with stops.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Guided tour of Szczecin

Departure by coach in the company of your guide towards Usedom Island. 
Known as a trendy location after bathing in the sea came into fashion, &quot;Sun Island&rdquo; benefits from beautiful beaches as well as a charming seaside architecture. You&#39;ll discover the Ahlbeck and Heringsdorf seaside resorts, nicknamed &quot;Kaiserb&auml;der&quot; (Emperor&#39;s baths). You will discover an island where a lush green countryside mingles with charming seaside towns lined with white-painted wooden buildings and the famous &quot;Strandkorb&rdquo; (roofed wicker beach chairs) providing shelter on windy days.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Visit by coach with stops and free time.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Panoramic tour of Usedom Island

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CLASSIC EXCURSIONS PACKAGE

Included in tour package Amsterdam Volendam The Meyer Werft shipyard Bremen Transfer to downtown Nienburg Hanover Madgeburg Potsdam and the Sanssouci garden Berlin by night Monastery Chorin Szczecin The islands of Usedom Greifswald The islands of Rügen Straslund

CLASSIC EXCURSIONS PACKAGE

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