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The Elbe

River cruisers make their way from Berlin to Prague

The Elbe runs 725 miles from the Czech Republic to the North Sea. Most weeklong Elbe itineraries are between Berlin and Prague and include hotel stays at one or both ends of the cruise. Other ports often include Potsdam, Magdeburg, Wittenberg, Meissen, Dresden, and Konigstein.

The German poet Goethe called Prague, “the prettiest gem in the stone crown of the world,” and indeed the capital of the Czech Republic is remarkable. The city’s rich architectural heritage reflects an urban life extending back more than 1,000 years. Prague’s highlight is the Charles Bridge, which crosses the Vitava River. On one side is Prague Castle, dominating the left-bank region.

Konigstein and its dramatic fortress, 1,180 feet above the river, provide a scenic backdrop for brief visits, while farther along Dresden is known as the “Florence of the Elbe,” for its art treasures.

Meissen is known for its porcelain, while Wittenberg marks the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation. In 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustine monk and university lecturer, nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Palace Church.

Magdeburg is situated midway on the Elbe. Nearly destroyed during World War II, the rebuilt city is an example of a traditional German town. Ships usually moor in Potsdam for transfers to and from Berlin at the beginning or end of each cruise.

Berlin once symbolized Germany’s partition — East Berlin being part of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and West Berlin being part of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). The Berlin Wall, which separated Germany, fell in 1989, and today Berlin has heralded itself into a historically and culturally prominent European city.