Itinerary Details
Poland, East Germany & World War Ii
Day 1: ARRIVE IN WARSAW, POLANDWelcome to Warsaw! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 2: WARSAWRemarkable Restorations, Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour to get you acquainted with Warsaw, Poland’s capital city. Walk through history when you visit the UNESCO-listed Stare Miasto (Old Town). As you marvel at the colorful facades look out for symbols of Syrenka, the mermaid warrior who vowed to protect the city. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to explore more of the city. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Rebuilt almost entirely after World War II, when about 85% of it was destroyed, Warsaw’s Old Town is less a relic than a deliberate act of resilience. Using detailed 18th century paintings by Canaletto as guides, architects reconstructed its streets with striking precision. What stands today is not just a copy of the past, but a city pieced together from memory.
Get acquainted with Warsaw as you follow your Local Guide on a sightseeing tour of
Day 3: WARSAW–AUSCHWITZ/BIRKENAU–KRAKOWHistory Lessons Depart Warsaw and travel south ,arriving early afternoon in Auschwitz/Birkenau for a moving guided visit of both former concentration camp sites. See the ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ gates and other haunting reminders of the atrocities that took place here. Later, continue to Krakow. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau is a sobering and moving experience; a chilling reminder of an era in human history we shall never forget. This opportunity to see the sites where so many lives were affected by the cruelty of the Third Reich during WWII is an unforgettable lesson in history and a cautionary tale for the future. In fact, the subject of the Holocaust is a mandatory part of German school curriculum, with almost all students having visited a camp or memorial.
Day 4: KRAKÓWHeroic Figures Enjoy free time this morning to start exploring the city of Kraków. Later, join a guided walking tour of Kazimierz, the Old Jewish Quarter. Visit the Remuh Synagogue and see the Oskar Schindler Factory. Later this afternoon and evening, enjoy some leisure time to explore more and try some of the local dishes. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
A wealth of history to be discovered in Krakow’s Jewish Quarter. Hear the stories of the important role Kazimierz played throughout European history. Visit the Remuh Synagogue, which dates back to the 16th century and is still active today.
Day 5: KRAKÓW–WROCLAWGothic Tales Meet your Local Guide for the city sightseeing tour comprising of the Market Square, a photo stop at Wawel Castle, and sights of St. Mary’s Church. En route to Wroclaw see Gleiwitz Radio Station, location of a false flag operation that led to Poland being invaded. . This afternoon, arrive in the vibrant and beautiful city of Wroclaw and join your Local Guide to discover some of the main landmarks and learn about its turbulent history. Keep an eye out for some of the 800 bronze gnomes scattered throughout the city, symbols of the 1980s anti-communist resistance. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Explore the wonderful town of Wroclaw on the Oder River in western Poland. Browse the Market Square, lined with elegant townhouses, and see the Gothic Old Town Hall and astronomical clock.
Day 6: WROCLAW–DRESDEN, GERMANYGerman Jewels This morning, depart Wroclaw and drive to Dresden. Enjoy some free time for lunch, then follow your Local Guide on a walking tour that features the Zwinger Palace courtyard, the Semper Opera, and the Frauenkirche. This evening, [LF] enjoy a dinner with local specialties at Am Pulverturm restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Explore the heart of Dresden with a walk to the Zwinger Palace courtyard. Revered for its stunning Baroque architecture and beautiful gardens, this spectacular palace complex is the most famous building in Dresden.
Day 7: DRESDEN–TORGAU–BERLINRemembrance & Faith En route to Berlin, visit Torgau, an elegant town on the River Elbe where the Allied fronts met in 1945. See the monument commemorating this historic meeting and visit the Courtyard at Hartenfels Castle. Continue to Berlin and join your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour that features views of the State Opera House, Museum Island, the Reichstag, Tiergarten Park, and the elegant Ku-Damm. Stop to take photos at the Brandenburg Gate, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and the Holocaust Memorial. Enjoy free time this evening to explore more. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Hartenfels Castle is home to the first purpose-built Protestant church. This spiritual heart of the Lutheran Reformation was blessed by Martin Luther himself in 1544. See the courtyard of this architectural masterpiece in Torgau overlooking the Elbe River.
Day 8: BERLINThe Boulevards of Berlin Enjoy a free day in Berlin to absorb more art, culture, and history in one of the many museums, browse the stores, sink your teeth into some of the local specialties, or join one of the optional excursions. (B)
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
Berlin is a city to be explored and enjoyed. See the street art of the East Side Gallery where a portion of the Berlin Wall now serves as a memorial of freedom painted by local artists. See the classic Cosmonaut mural in Mariannenstrasse, or head to the Kreuzberg district for a leisurely stroll along Landwehr Canal.
Day 9: BERLIN–WEIMAR. EXCURSION TO BUCHENWALDLoss & Liberation Reach Weimar and take a walking orientation tour of the town center. See the Herder Church, Theater Square, Goethe House at the Frauenplan, and Market Square. After some free time for lunch, drive to Buchenwald Concentration Camp Museum for an informative and poignant guided visit. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Buchenwald was one of the largest Nazi concentration camp in Germany. During the war over 56,000 people lost their lives whilst imprisoned here. After the war it was converted to a Soviet internment camp for German prisoners of war, of whom 7,000 died.
Day 10: WEIMAR–NUREMBERGRecording History Today Nuremberg takes the spotlight. Learn about the historic proceeding with a [LF] visit to the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, Courtroom 600 (if available) and the Documentation Center. Visit the ZeppelinField, once a Nazi parade ground and now a memorial to the victims of Nazi repression. This afternoon, join an orientation walk through the pedestrian area of the Old Town to see the castle courtyard, St. Sebald Church, and Market Square. Later, [LF] enjoy dinner with traditional Nürnberger Bratwürste (small sausages) at the Bratwurst Röslein restaurant. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
Take your seat at Bratwurst Röslein—the largest bratwurst house in the world—in the heart of Nuremberg’s main market square. Taste the family tradition of sourcing the freshest potatoes, vegetables, and fine sauerkraut daily from the Nuremberg Knoblauchsland and other Franconian growing areas.
Day 11: NUREMBERG–DACHAU–MUNICHDark History & A Brighter Future En route to Munich stop to visit Dachau, Germany’s first concentration camp. Later, your orientation tour of Munich features sights of Nymphenburg Palace, Königsplatz, and Leopoldstrasse before stopping at Marienplatz, Munich’s most important square, to enjoy some free time to browse the shops and see the Glockenspiel and the Old and New Town Halls. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Experience the geographical and cultural heart of Munich at its Marienplatz, the town square since 1158. Stroll through the home of historic buildings, including the Old and New Town Halls in the picturesque heart and soul of the city.
Day 12: MUNICHAuf Wiedersehen, Munich! Free time today to get acquainted with lively Munich, considered the richest city in Germany. It is BMW’s hometown and the location of the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner together with your travel companions. (B,D)
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
If steins and suds are on your mind, then Munich is the place to sip and socialize at the city’s bustling biergartens. Raise a glass to your fantastic European vacation and the new and wonderful friends you’ve made along the way. Prost!
Day 13: MUNICHSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
