Tuesday, 19-May-26:
We flew from England to Prague and joined our cruise ship, the Elbe Princesse.
Wednesday, 20-May-26:
We start our cruise on the Vltava River out from Prague.
A few more photos of our cruise up the Vltava River on 20-May from Prague as far as the Slapy Dam, through 2 or more locks, and the steep valley that prompted the plan to create Slapy Dam (planned in the 1930s but deferred till after the war; at the time it was one of the most advanced dam projects in the world). The steep valley also provided cover for those opposing the communist regime, now high-end weekenders. The second lock was 20metres high.
Thursday, 21-May-26:
We had a couple of opportunitiues to see around Prague. We opted not to take the Croisi-organised guided tours, as we had seen it all before. But I did take two walks out from the boat as it was moored at the foot of the Castle, on the afternoon of 21-May and afternoon of 22-May. Here are some photos of the obvious candidates!
Friday, 22-May-26:
Today we visited the Strahov Monastery in Prague, primarily to see the Library, reputed to be the most beautiful in the world. Here are some views, including the Philosophical Hall (1782) and the Theological Hall (1671) - you be the judge! Plus view of the exterior and in the Monastery Chapel, also view over Prague.
After visiting the Strahov Monastery, we walked a hundred paces to visit Prague Loreto Shrine. Terrific baroque architecture, a bit overwhelming... the Holy House is modelled on the house in Loreto, Italy, reputed to have been the house of Jesus and Mary, miraculously transported there: it gave rise to a worldwide surge in the Loreto shrine model. The crypt was only recently (2011) discovered, with 17th century murals - now reproduced in the Treasury. Also some beautiful items there.
Saturday, 23-May-26:
Today, we set sail early, sailing downstream on the Vltava as far as the confluence with the Elbe at Melnik. Here are some views of the river, the confluence, and the Horin Lock, which had to have its arch raised to let bigger boats through, so they took it apart and rebuilt it on a hydraulic lift.
On mooring at Melnik, and not taking the optional trip to a castle, we stayed on board after lunch, but Alex took off for a walk up to Melnik (a very steep climb). Up there, he visited the church of Sts Peter and Paul, and walked around the village, and admired the wonderful view over the rivers Elbe (on Left) and Vltava (on Right).
Sunday, 24-May-26:
On this our last day aboard the Elbe Princesse, we took a coach to drive to Dresden, and spent a good portion of the day walking around the old town area, and having lunch in a renowned restaurant (Coselpalais). Here are some views from the morning, mostly in or around the "Zwinger", built in 1709 as a garden, today set up for a major concert (gig) featuring the DJ Purple. The buildings were mostly imposing and elaborate, transformed in the last 10+ years from the rubble of WWII when Dresden was "fire-bombed".
While we were in Dresden, we admired the reconstructed buildings following the fire bombing in 1945, and then marvelled at the Palace collection of treasures. Here is more of the area that was totally flattened, and now is a wonderful place for Dresden residents and tourists to gather - Neumarket.
And here is a sample of the amazing treasures in the Dresden Palace collection, on display in the restored Palace/Castle.
Having exhausted ourselves in wonderful Dresden, we boarded our coach and returned to the boat, which by then had relocated to Prague.
Monday, 25-May-26:
The cruise ended after breakfast and so we returned to Heathrow, in order to fly back to Perth the next day, staying one night in the Thistle Hotel near Terminal 5.
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Alex Reid
8-Jun-26