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Impressions of the Elbe

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“When I was first able to visit family in Dresden, I fell inlove with the city and with Swiss Saxony—which I alwayswanted to see as a teenager in East Germany. Seeingthem both was a dream come true for me. Once our travelers visit, I think they’ll share my enthusiasm.”

Honey Streit-Reyes

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Coming “full circle” in GermanyI was born in EastGermany in theSaxon city ofPlauen imVogtland, but leftwhen I was youngto pursue a free lifeand education inWest Germany. TheBerlin Wall didn’teven exist at thattime, but it wasalready illegal toleave East Germany,and travelingthroughout the country was difficult.After a year in the West, a job took me to America—“the land of unlimited possibilities”—which for me, it was.

Many jobs, years, and life-affirming experiences later—suchas becoming a U.S. citizen, and meeting and marrying myhusband, Rodolfo—the travel business eventually broughtme back to my homeland. Being there again, I realized that I was actually German, although I felt 150% American.

Working with Grand CircleIn the 1970s, I met Alan and Harriet Lewis, who went on to purchase Grand Circle in 1985. With Europe as the company’s main sphere of operation, they soon hired me to organize many of the trips there. I developed direct relationships with vendors, hired local Program Directors,and arranged our first Home-Hosted Visits—all to ensurethe best experience and value for our travelers. I champi-oned the company’s River Cruise business, even workingwith boat builders to launch the earliest ships in our fleet.And I opened our first international office in 1997, here inMunich. It was an exciting and successful time for GrandCircle—and for me, as I watched our travelers embracelearning and discovery.

I’ve been a member of the Grand Circle family—bothabroad and in Boston—for more than 20 years now. It’sbeen a wonderful journey so far, and helping to createEssence of the Elbe has certainly been one of the highlights.

Honey Streit-Reyes continues to consult for Grand CircleTravel throughout the world from her home in Munich,Germany. One of the company’s highest awards—presentedannually to an outstanding regional associate whose passion and commitment to creating unforgettable experiences and learning opportunities has truly helpedchange our travelers’ lives—is named in her honor.

Greetings from Germany! I’d like join my old friend Alan Lewis in saying how excited I am about Essenceof the Elbe: Hamburg to Prague, Grand Circle’s new River CruiseTour for 2011. Because I know and lovethis part of the world—and have always been passionate about the Elbe—I’m thrilled that Grand Circle

travelers will finally be able to enjoy the region and river firsthand. Over the years, I’ve met many of you, and Ibelieve—with your great thirst for discovering new destinations and delving into their history—that you’ll appreciateboth the unique beauty of the Elbe and the rich past of its ports. The Sandstone Mountains in Swiss Saxony areamazing, absolutely amazing, while the northern part of the former East Germany is an area that few Americanshave seen. And Prague is one of the world’s most stunning cities. Since I call this region home, I personally invite you to experience it for yourself.

The Elbe River winds through Swiss Saxony—a scenic region outside of Dresden, Germany. On Day 11 of your River CruiseTour, see it foryourself during a leisurely morning cruise aboard the M/S River Allegro.

Members of our Elbe River team share their thoughts

Dear Traveler,

While I have sailed many of Europe’s great waterways,

from the Rhine to the Danube, the Elbe River holds a

special place in my heart. In fact, I grew up just steps

from the river’s banks—in Koenigstein, in the Swiss

Saxony region of the former East Germany.

As a boy, I ran with my friends to the Elbe’s banks

after school each day. Here, we made “boats” from

sticks and pinecones, fashioning sails from our parents’

daily newspapers. When we had deemed our vessels

seaworthy, we launched them into the Elbe’s rippling

waters, and we jumped with joy when the river’s swift

current carried them away. My dream of one day

becoming the Captain of a real river ship began here—

at the edge of the Elbe.

Today, I’m so gratified to be fulfilling my dream with

Grand Circle, and I’m especially pleased to take the

helm of the M/S River Allegro as we voyage together

down the Elbe. I look forward to sharing with you the

river that I’ve loved since I was a boy—and the fasci-

nating culture, landmarks, and history along her banks.

Warm regards,

Captain Jürgen LudererM/S River Allegro

Old City Hall in Honey’s hometown ofPlauen im Vogtland in the former East Germany.

A Wordfrom YourCaptain

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Highlights of your Elbe RiverCruiseTour

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Hamburg, Germany

The city-state of Hamburg—or “The Free and Hanseatic Cityof Hamburg,” as it’s officially known due to its status as atax-free port—is second in size to Berlin, and is one of world’smost important seaports. Despite a long history of destruc-tion—including a Great Fire in 1842, extensive Allied bomb-ing in 1943, and North Sea-Elbe River flooding in 1962—Hamburg’s remaining 17th-century mansions and historicbuildings blend with more cutting-edge architecture, generousgreen space (ranking it among Europe’s greenest cities) and extensive waterfront to form an eclectic and welcomingurban fabric.

Schwerin With its turreted, storybook castle andpicturesque lakesidesetting, this enchantingenclave is the very pic-ture of Old WorldGermany. Schwerin

became the seat of a dukedom in 1358 and remained so untilthe German Revolution of 1918. At the end of World War II,it became part of the Soviet-controlled German DemocraticRepublic until reunification in 1990, and is now the provincialcapital of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state. Fortunately,Schwerin’s magnificent castle, Baroque buildings, and maze of narrow streets remained untouched by the war—and its traditional charm endures.

Berlin Divided after World War II, blockaded by the Soviets during the Cold War, wedged apart by an imposing wall,and finally liberated by thesledgehammersof freedom fighters in 1989,Berlin is onceagain a unifiedcity. Althoughkey sites likeCheckpointCharlie occupy arelatively smallcore, Germany’s lively, culture-rich capital is expansive—with lakes, parks, and forests providing bucolic oasesthroughout the city. A unique collection of architecturalstyles and evocative landmarks speak both to Berlin’s storied past and hopeful future: The iconic Reichstag (siteof the Third Reich’s final defense) was rebuilt after WorldWar II and now features an enormous glass sphere repre-senting the transparency and unity of the new Germany.

Wittenberg Five hundred years ago, Wittenberg played a part in changingthe world. The dawn of the 16th century saw a flurry ofactivity, including the completion of All Saints’ Church—aLutheran Schlosskirche (“castle church”)—and the establish-ment of a new university. But this lovely Elbe River port isclosely associated with the rise of the Protestant Reformationin the early 16th century, sparked when priest Martin Luthernailed his 95 Theses, renouncing the sale of indulgences andother clerical abuses, to the church door. One of the fewGerman cities largely spared by World War II, many of itshistoric structures—including All Saints’, where the theses arenow cast in bronze—have been preserved.

Meissen Straddling the Elbe,Meissen is considered the“cradle of Saxony,” but isbest-known for the fineporcelain made here since1710. Europe’s first hard-paste china, it’s oftenreferred to as “white gold”—as its manufacturing techniquewas attributed to a young alchemist who also claimed to havea formula for gold. The town’s history dates back much further, however. Founded around 920, Meissen became aseat of prince-bishops and was home to the country’s firstroyal residence. Today, Meissen’s towering cathedral—com-pleted near the castle around 1450—is one of Germany’s mostmagnificent Gothic structures.

Dresden Set on the banks of theElbe River, Germany’s“Baroque pearl” has beenheralded as a center of thearts and culture since the1500s. But on February13, 1945, the entire citywas destroyed by Allied airraids. Rather than simply

rebuilding after the war, the people of Dresden opted torestore their city, preserving its historic design and spirit.Today, the Zwinger Palace hosts the Old Masters PictureGallery—featuring works by Raphael, Titian, and Rubens—the Armory, and Porcelain Collection. In 2005, the GreenVault—home to crown jewels and other treasures ofEuropean monarchs—reopened at Dresden Castle, whilereconstruction of the Frauenkirche (“Church of Our Lady”)was also completed, incorporating some charred bricks fromthe original structure as tribute to the past.

Swiss Saxony & the BasteiJust southeast of Dresden, amountainous landscape riseshigh above the Elbe River. Inthe 1790s, upon witnessing itsdramatic peaks and valleys,Swiss painter Adrian Zinggdubbed the region SaxonSwitzerland—now encompass-ing a national park popularamong climbers. The sandstonepeaks and trade routes runningthrough them were once pro-tected by numerous fortressesand castles, one of which wasat the Bastei—a stunning, stone promontory reaching some900 feet from the riverbed below. An inspiration to paintersand composers long after its castle crumbled, the Bastei has been accessible to visitors since the 19th century via a650-foot-high sandstone bridge.

Prague, Czech RepublicOnce cloisteredbehind the IronCurtain, the Czechcapital has blossomedinto a bustling citysince achieving inde-pendence. The “Cityof a Hundred Spires”is an architecturaltreasure trove, wheresteeples punctuate the skyline and landmarks—such as thepedestrian Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and medievalAstronomical Clock—preserve its Old World character. Whilemodern buildings have risen alongside the old, its historic cen-ter is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just wanderPrague’s twisting, cobblestone streets or tour its spectacularcathedrals, museums, and Royal Gardens, and you’ll readilyunderstand why it’s among Europe’s most-visited destinations.

Centuries of history along the Elbe River

One of Central Europe’s major waterways, the Elbe River flows for some 680 miles—from theKrkonoše Mountains in the Czech Republic, north across much of the former East Germany,through the port of Hamburg, and on to meet the North Sea. But the Elbe is unique for several

reasons: Unencumbered by dam regulations along most of its length, it’s a weather-dependent “wild” river.And with a panorama of beautiful cities, ancient villages, and stunning natural landscapes, cruising thisriver is a truly unforgettable experience.

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