The ‘Elbe’ was recorded by Ptolemy as Albis (Germanic for “river”), which was what the Romans called it.
The Elbe is one of the major rivers of Central Europe, rising in the Krkonoše Mountains of the northern Czech Republic before traversing much of the Czech Republic, then Germany, and flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven. With a total length of 680 miles, this wonderfully unspoiled river offers travelers a smorgasbord of history as well as stunning scenery.
At every bend of the enchanting Elbe, beauty and history beckon. Follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther in Wittenberg, birthplace of the Protestant Reformation; shop for fine porcelain in lovely Meissen, set on a rocky outcropping above, surrounding wine villages; marvel at the artistic treasures of Dresden; and bask in the romance of Prague, one of the loveliest cities in the world.
The Elbe is proof that great rivers produce great civilizations, and there is no more fitting way to explore the delights of this corner of central Europe than aboard one of the many elegant river cruisers plying this ancient waterway. Unpack, sit back, and let the best of Bohemia come to you!
