Elegant Elbe

Witness the baroque beauty of Dresden by motor coach and by foot after 50 years of restoration. Begin with a panoramic drive to the Neustadt district on the bank of the Elbe to admire beautiful 19th-century residences and cultural institutions. Then, visit the Grünes Gewölbe, the Green Vault museum that houses what many claim is the largest collection of treasures in the world, including priceless jewels and emeralds. Afterward, take a stroll among splendid architectural wonders. Marvel at the magnificent Semper Opera House, with its several graceful stories, and see the spectacular Zwinger Palace, a rococo-style complex that was once an exhibition court for royalty. Today, it houses several museums.

Enjoy a wide-ranging view of Dresden and its scenic surroundings. You will meet your guide for a panoramic tour of the city. Then visit an elegant Saxon baroque castle in a splendid waterside setting, once home to royalty and lavish banquets. Later, enjoy a scenic transfer to Radebeul. Here, take in splendid views from the Observatory before walking down through vineyards to Wackerbarth Castle, an elegant wine-growing estate. After lunch and free time to explore, return to Dresden, where you will stop at the famed Zwinger Palace, a rococo-style complex of remarkable museums. You will visit the Green Vault museum that houses what many claim is the largest collection of treasures in the world, including priceless jewels and emeralds. On Tuesdays, the Green Vault is closed; you will instead visit the Old Masters Picture Gallery to view magnificent masterpieces of Raphael, Vermeer, Rubens, Rembrandt and others.

Step behind the scenes of one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, Volkswagen. Opened in 2001, Die Gläserne Manufaktur, or the “Transparent Factory,” showcases the superior engineering capabilities of this leading car-making giant during a tour of the state-of-the-art facility. During your guided tour, you will get an exclusive look into the production area. Learn more about the Volkswagen ID.3 – the compact electric car with a modern exterior and sophisticated interior design, incorporating high quality, animal-free, sustainable materials which reflect Volkswagen’s strategy for the fully electric ID. family. Learn about the factory’s environmental and conservations efforts and enjoy an opportunity to explore an interactive exhibition presenting the company’s foray into the past, present and future of e-mobility.

Enjoy a spectacle of classical music performed by members of the Dresden Residence Orchestra in a stunning setting. For more than 300 years, the baroque-style Zwinger Palace in Dresden has played host to some of the world’s leading composers. Upon arrival, admire the illuminated palace in all its glory. One of the historic gems of Dresden, you will marvel at the magnificent Wall Pavilion, one of the palace’s architectural highlights; its opulent facade depicts the tale of its link to Ancient Greece. You will be greeted in the foyer before climbing the winding staircase to the beautiful concert hall. Take your seat, then sit back and relax as you enjoy the performance, featuring well-known works by classical masters such as Mozart, Bach, Strauss and Tchaikovsky. Refreshments are available from the bar during the intermission. After the performance, you will return to your ship.

Admire the picturesque landscape and notable landmarks along the Elbe River during a ride by electronic bicycle. Transfer to your starting point, where you will meet your guide and receive your helmet, e-bike and a short safety briefing. Then, hop on your bike and begin pedaling across the Augustus Bridge for panoramic views over the old town, and along the well-maintained biking path by the river. Relax as your e-bike makes pedaling across the countryside easy, allowing you to pay attention to the sights around you. See the Albrechtsschlösser—the Elbe’s three castles that line its hillside embankment—and pass by the magnificent villas of the Blasewitz district. Cross the “Blauen Wunder” bridge and take a ferry to Pillnitz Castle to explore its surrounding parkland. After refreshments, take a leisurely cycle back to your ship.

Enjoy an introduction to Saxon whiskey during an excursion to the Dresdner Whisky Manufaktur. Steeped in Scottish traditions but with a taste and methods all its own, Dresdner is Germany’s largest whisky distillery, producing approximately 2½ million bottles of its Hellinger 42 annually. You will transfer by motor coach from your ship to the distillery, located in Dresden’s historic Alberthafen waterfront. Upon arrival, watch an introductory video comparing Scottish whisky and Saxon whisky production methods. Afterward, view the brewing room where more than 13,000 feet of pipes connect fermentation tanks, mash tun, stills and more. Cap your visit with a tasting of three different whiskys, including a mild tasting Hellinger 42 and a fruit-noted Hellinger 42 Sherry. Afterward, you will return to your awaiting ship.