Serenité, luxury cruise vacations

German Itinerary, BERLIN TO MINDEN

Sunday, Day 1 The highlight in Potsdam is the Palace of Sanssouci, former Summer residence of Prussian King Frederick the Great. The palace itself with its terraced garden and water pools is arguably the finest example of Rococo in Europe. The New Palace, even larger and grander, stands at the end of the long straight avenue that runs through the magnificent Sanssouci park. After the tour, join the Serenité and enjoy a Champagne Welcome during which you are introduced to the crew, the boat and the cruise route. By 5pm we leave Potsdam passing through a number of idyllic lakes on our way to the quaint town of Werder, our overnight mooring spot. Dinner aboard. Monday, Day 2 During breakfast we leave Werder and continue sailing through the lake district. After lunch we stop in Brandenburg and have a short walk through the town, before we continue to Genthin. Dinner aboard. Tuesday, Day 3 From Genthin we take you on a half day excursion to Tangermünde, a former Hanseatic town situated on the Elbe. It has a beautifully preserved "Old Town" with brick Gothic half-timbered buildings that give a genuine medieval atmosphere. The town center is surrounded by a perfectly preserved town wall with impressive town gates. Back onboard for lunch we have an engineering highlight ahead of us. We cross the river Elbe by way of the newly opened 918m long canal bridge of Rothensee. Wednesday, Day 4 This morning we continue sailing on the Mittellandkanal. After lunch we reach Wolfsburg, the home of Volkswagen. Here we find a unique park and lake area ideal for exploring. Take a guided tour around this amazing complex which includes the Time House, a 360° cinema, a simulator, a car lab, shops, pavilions and restaurants. Dinner aboard. Thursday, Day 5 We pass Braunschweig and reach Hannover. Hannover is a city that mixes commerce and culture well. It is Germany's main trade-fair center and an exemplary patron of the arts with leading museums, an opera house of international repute, the old and the new town hall and the gothic market church of Saints George and James. Hannover's showpiece is the garden of the former royal summer residence at Herrenhausen. The magnificent palace was built in the 17th century by the Hannoverian ruler Duke Johann Friedrich. The palace is no longer standing but the Baroque park, unmatchable in Germany - has been restored to all its formal glory, with geometric pattern of walks, gardens and copses framed by a placid moat. Water fountains play for a few hours daily and add their own element of Baroque grace. Dinner aboard. Friday, Day 6 Just before arriving in the town of Minden, we cross the river Weser, an impressive masterpiece of construction work. A small museum describes the lock workings and the Weser area. Minden is a charming town with very well restored half-timbered and painted houses in the town square. The cathedral has a Romanesque façade and a striking 11th century crucifix. A short excursion from Minden can be arranged to the scenic spot of Porta Westfalica, where the river Weser has forced its way through wooded hills. On each hill stands a memorial dedicated o Wilhelm I. Back on board for Captain's Farewell Dinner. Saturday, Day 7 Transfer to the train station in Minden for your onward journey, leaving the barge between 9 and 10am.

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