Berlin, Germany to Prague, Czech Republic - October 2026
Many of our trips combine our own itinerary plus the itinerary of an organized tour group. This trip started in Berlin, Germany and ended in Prague, Czech Republic. In both cities we planned our own activities. In the middle of these cities was a planned itinerary by Viking River Cruises.
We started our own adventures in Berlin. I will share photos from Berlin City Center, Potsdam, The Berlin Wall and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.
Our first international trip since Bob had to undergo emergency brain surgery about one year ago!
We are both very grateful!
View from our apartment.
The Brandenburg Gate
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
A very moving and thought provoking memorial.
The Empty Library
A remembrance of the nazi book burnings.
Look closely and you can see empty bookshelves underground.
Learn more; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Empty_Library
Checkpoint Charlie
A walk around the City Center of Berlin
The photos below are of Potsdam. We took a walking tour. Potsdam is about an hour southwest of Berlin.
Learn more; https://historicgermany.com/potsdam/
Sanssouci Palace
San Souci meaning “no worries”.
Learn more; https://www.visitberlin.de/en/sanssouci-palace
Our very knowledgeable and fun tour guide.
The Berlin Wall was finally taken down in 1989. Many people lost their lives trying to escape East Berlin.
Sometimes learning history can be a very difficult lesson. Our tour of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was one of these lessons. Our tour guide explained many of the buildings but no one can explain how humans can treat others in this horrific fashion. There were several high school tour groups visiting with their teachers. A very difficult lesson was being taught but one everyone should learn.
“In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.”
~ Anne Frank
A few more photos as we leave Berlin, join our Viking group and travel to Wittenberg.
Glienicke Bridge where the spy exchange occurred.
Learn more; Glienicke Bridge Spy Exchange
We were planning on a Viking river cruise between Berlin and Prague, however low water levels on the Elbe River prevented us from actually sailing on the river. As an alternative we used two Viking boats in two locations as floating hotels. Not the best and not what we planned but travel is all about adaptability!
We still enjoyed the sites we planned on exploring and met some very interesting people.
Our first night on the boat.
Reformer Martin Luther
Protestant Reformation
October 1517
Learn more; Martin Luther Reformation
Martin Luther's wife Katharina von Bora
"Morning Star of Wittenberg"
Learn more; Katharina von Bora
The ring on the statue is thought to grant wishes if rubbed as you pass the monument.
Bob found a cat "capture and sterilize then release" organization collecting donations in the town square.
Yep, those are bears!
American and Russian (Ukrainian) Soldiers link up in April of 1945.
This link contains World War II color footage. Library of Congress
Next we found ourselves in the charming town of Meissen, Germany. Meissen porcelain is manufactured here and we learned a great deal about the process. It is beautiful and expensive!
Here is a link that will explain more about the company.
https://www.meissen.com/net/
Dresden, Germany
The photos below represent just a small portion of the beautiful city of Dresden.
Known as the "Florence on the Elbe".
The entire city center was destroyed by the controversial bombing by the American and British forces during WWII killing 25,000 people.
The city was reconstructed in the same Rocco and Baroque architecture.
We continued to explore Dresden on a guided bike ride. Our guide was very energetic and a lot of fun.
Come along for the ride!
I observed this young lady lift her toddler onto her back and watch the dog before getting on the ferry. Wow, what a strong woman.
The bike ride included a ferry ride!
Well, what would be a bike adventure in Germany be without a stop at a beer garden!
Back on the ship we requested a tour of the "wheelhouse". Bob was once a sailor in the Navy so this is always interesting for him. The captain was friendly and professional as they all are. He shared his frustration with the fact that the ship never sailed. The water levels prohibit sailing and it was evident he was ready for a change of pace.
Bob's son had a little fun with AI and declared Bob promoted to captain! 😂
A final walk in Dresden to say farewell before we leave for Prague.
Prague is always full of unexpected sites and sounds. The ancient architecture somehow blends seamlessly with the activities of modern life. We revisited sites we had enjoyed on previous visits and found new neighborhoods to explore.
We found a local restaurant close to our hotel and enjoyed a typical Czech dinner. Two of the locals sitting at a nearby table had Green Bay Packer shirts on. We had just been to Lambeau Field for a game so Bob started an encounter using photos on his phone.
The Prague Packer fan enjoyed the Lambeau photos.
When we left the restaurant one man asked Bob if he had a favorite team.
When Bob told him the Kansas City Chiefs he said OH NO!
Obviously the Chiefs were not his favorite team!
We had read about the Mozart Interactive Museum and decided to visit. Facts about Mozart's life were presented through animated films. An opportunity to learn but a bit underwhelming. One highlight was a great view of the Astronomical Clock in the old Town Hall.
Learn more; Prague's Astronomical Clock
A couple photos from the Mozart Museum
A day trip outside of Prague took us to the Sedlec Ossuary also known as the "Bone Chapel".
Photography was not allowed but you can learn more here; Sedlec Ossuary
Of course we had to stop for lunch before catching the train back to Prague!
When we arrived back in Prague we met a couple for dinner at The Lokal. We met them on the cruise and they also stayed in Prague for more adventure. This brewery continues to produce the best beer I have ever tasted!
The trams in Prague varied from oldies like this one to very modern trams. They were efficient and we couldn't beat the cost-free for everyone over 65!
I read about the Clementinum Astronomical Library in the novel The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown.
Bob-always meeting new friends during our adventures.
Afternoon Tea at our hotel.
"You need not even listen, just wait....the world will offer itself, freely to you, unmasking itself."
~Franz Kafka
No comments:
Post a Comment