The Elbe River: From Berlin to Prague

Aboard the Frederic Chopin

May 14-24, 2008

The enthusiastic response to our recent European river programs clearly reveals that our travelers enjoy river voyages on deluxe vessels. No one should be surprised. After all, river cruising combines many of the most appealing features of travel: a comfortable hotel that glides effortlessly through the countryside; convenient access to the heart of the cities and towns along the way; consistent, attentive service and amenities, and all of this without the bother of checking in and out, unpacking and re-packing. And, it must be added, the scenery is always changing.

For our 2008 river cruise, we invite you to join us on a voyage through former East Germany and the Czech Republic aboard the 5-star M.V. Frederic Chopin. Our adventure, which begins in Berlin and ends in Prague, combines the excitement of rapidly changing New Europe with Old World charm. Berlin, for example, is Europe’s newest and most vibrant capital city, while Prague owns its broadest array of architectural treasures.

Between them, the River Elbe flows through several of Eastern Europe’s loveliest landscapes: the exquisite waterside gardens of Baroque palaces, the fortress-crowned cliffs and spectacular gorges of “Swiss Saxony,” and the terraced vineyards and lush orchards of Northern Bohemia. The region also witnessed some of history’s most dramatic moments, from the birthplace of the Reformation in Wittenberg to the recent “Velvet Revolution” in Prague. Today, these fabled lands are still witness to history in the making.

Our itinerary has several exclusive features, including curator-led tours of superb art collections, private musical performances in historic settings, select wine-tastings, and local guest speakers who will provide many insights into the region’s history as well as its artistic and architectural heritage. You’ll enjoy the elegant Frederic Chopin as well. Unlike most vessels on the Elbe, the Chopin sails directly into the cities of Potsdam (near Berlin) and Prague. Chartered exclusively for the W&L Traveller, the 79-passenger Frederic Chopin will provide accommodations that are in every way as hospitable as they are posh.

Download the complete itinerary and reservation form (.pdf)

Traveling With You

W&L's Lamar J. R. Cecil
We're pleased to be joined by Lamar J. R. Cecil, the former William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of History at W&L, specializing in European and Russian history. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including his award-winning two-volume biography of Kaiser Wilhelm II. He is a veteran teacher of W&L’s Alumni Colleges on campus and abroad, lecturing on a variety of topics from 19th-century Europe to the history of Imperial Russia. Lamar and his wife Geri have recently escorted W&L Traveller programs on the Danube, the Rhine and Moselle rivers and the Baltic Sea.More...