Mlcechvosty-Vranany (Czechia)

Mlcechvosty-Vranany is a large/two-part village and a Vltava River (Elbe River) cruise port in Czechia's/Czech Republic's Melnik District (Usti nad Labem Region). The road distance to Prague (Czechia's capital city) is approx 40 km (25 mi), or around 40-min drive on Dalnice-D8 hIghway (linking Prague with Dresden via Petrovice and Bad Gottleuba). Most boats dock in Mlcechvosty - located along the river at approx 2 km (1 mi) southwest of Vranany.

Vranany is best-known with Lateralní plavební kanal Melník-Vranany (Lateral Navigation Canal). The 10-km long waterway is artificial (completed in 1905) and allows large-sized riverboats to safely navigate on Vltava River avoiding the dangerous currents before Vltava's confluence with Elbe River. The Melník-Vranany Canal has min depth 2,4 m (8 ft) and at Horin Lock is divided into two parts/channels - upper and lower. The upper channel has length 6 km and width 18-36 m. The lower channel (Horin-Melník) has length 4 km and width 18-40 m. The Vranany-Melník Canal is one-way and traffic lights-controlled (at the turnout in Luzice nad Vltavou).

As cruise port, Mlcechvosty-Vranany was introduced in the 2021 schedule of Nicko Cruises Germany (brand of Mystic Cruises). Nicko Tours' 8-day "The Splendours of the Elbe" itinerary was included in the program of MS Frederic Chopin and interlinked Dresden-Litomerice-Melnik-Prague.

"The Splendours of the Elbe" cruise itinerary review

"The Splendours of the Elbe" (UK cruisetour) prices started from GBP 2245 pp (EUR 2450 / USD 2970) Outside cabin with double occupancy and included international flights and transfers. Nicko's cruise-only prices started from EUR 1050 pp (GBP 950 / USD 1280).

Shore excursions are optional (cost extra) and can be booked on the ship or prepurchased upon booking the voyage. Nocko's program listed the following details:

• (Day 1) Flight from London to Berlin, bus transfer to Dresden (boat embarkation at 3 pm).
• (Day 2) Dresden (departure at 12-noon), city tour (Frauenkirche, Semperoper, Dresdner Zwinger, Bruhlsche Terrasse), arrival in Bad Schandau (mooring at 10 pm)
• (Day 3) departure from Bad Schandau (at 4 am), arrival in Litomerice (mooring at 5 pm, overnight on the ship, departure 6 am on Day 4)
• (Day 4) passing Porta Bohemica on Elbe River, arrival in Melnik (mooring at 1 pm, departure at 5 pm, Melnik Castle tour with wine tasting), arrival in Mlcechvosty (mooring at 8:30 pm/overnight)
• (Day 5) Mlcechvosty (departure at 6:30 am), Elbe River cruising towards Prague (arrival/mooring at 1 pm), guided city tour (Jewish quarter, Charles Bridge), overnight
• (Day 6) Prague (departure at 11 am), arrival in Trebenice (docking at 5 pm, Castle Hill excursion), evening docking approx 50 km (30 mi) south of Prague (near Slapy Reservoir)
• (Day 7) Trebenice (departure at 7 am), arrival/mooring in Prague (at 1 pm), beer tasting tour, overnight on the ship
• (Day 8) Prague (boat debarkation at 9 am), bus transfer to Prague Airport, home flight