Best of Eastern Germany | May 26-June 6

MAY 28 | GDR MUSEUM | BERLIN WALL | RIVER CRUISE

A full day of Berlin! First you will visit the East German-GDR Museum, one of the most interactive museums in the world. The museum gives you a chance to experience what everyday life behind the Berlin Wall was like in former East Germany, such as living conditions, the Wall, and the Stasi. This visit is a history lesson like no other, making it one of the top things to do in Berlin. Next you are off to the Berlin Wall, Germany’s standing symbol of the Cold War, dividing the country for more than 28 years. The longest remaining stretch has now transformed into the world’s longest open-air gallery, the East Side Gallery. This one mile of fascinating images takes a significant era of Germany’s history and turns it into a work of art. After some free time for lunch your tour continues with a cruise down the Spree River. Here you will get a completely different perspective of Germany’s Capital. Enjoy lovely views of the Reichstag, the Main Train Station, and the TV Tower among many other sites. You return to your hotel with time to relax and an evening at your leisure.

Overnight: Berlin                  (B)

MAY 29 | A FREE DAY IN BERLIN

Today is yours to explore Berlin on your own! Make it a shopping day at the famous department store “The Kaufhaus des Westens.” With over 60,000 square meters of retail space, the KA-DE-W is the second largest department store in Europe, after Harrods of London. Within 10 min. walking distance, you reach Kurfürstendamm. This large avenue, colloquially known by the Berliners as “Ku’damm,” is the most important shopping area in Berlin. A vast number of shops are strung along the wide boulevard, most of which are international brands. Another option is visiting Museum Island, a unique ensemble of buildings on Spree Island in the heart of Berlin. It encompasses five large Berlin museums, built under the Prussian rulers, as well as a reception and exhibition building, the James Simon Gallery.

Optional Tour – Former Concentration Camp Sachsenhausen: With sufficient numbers, Universal Travel will offer a visit to the Sachsenhausen Memorial Center, one of the biggest concentration camps on German territory from 1936 to 1945. From 1945 to 1950 the site was used as a special camp by the Soviet secret service.

Overnight: Berlin            (B)

MAY 30 | WITTENBERG – MARTIN LUTHER | LEIPZIG

This morning after a leisurely breakfast, you board your private motor coach and travel south to the town of Wittenberg for a guided tour of the Luther House. It was here that the Reformer, Martin Luther, lived and worked for over 35 years. Originally built as an Augustinian Monastery, Martin Luther called this home from 1508; first as a monk and then later with his family. This was where he made his “reformatory discovery,” gave lectures to students from across Europe, and penned his writings that changed the world. After your tour enjoy free time in Old Town Wittenberg for lunch on your own. You continue your journey southbound and arrive at the University City of Leipzig for a two-night stay. Tonight’s dinner will be served at the famous Auerbachs Keller. Like millions of guests before you, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was here, too. The mentioning of the Fasskeller (barrel cellar) in Goethe’s classic work “Faust” makes it arguably the most famous restaurant in Germany. Today the room is exactly as generations of guests before and after Goethe’s time knew it.

Overnight: Leipzig                  (B,D)

MAY 31 | LEIPZIG CITY TOUR | DANCE LESSON

This morning after breakfast we are off to a half day sightseeing tour of the city followed by free time for lunch and shopping in Leipzig’s Old Town. This afternoon a special treat is in store as you participate in a “hands-on slow waltz dance lesson” complete with sparkling wine, taught by Christoph’s sister, a professional ballroom dance champion! Return back to your hotel with the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Overnight: Leipzig            (B)

JUNE 1 | MEISSEN PORCELAIN FACTORY | DRESDEN

This morning you travel to Meissen for a guided tour of the world famous porcelain factory. Meissen porcelain was the first successfully produced true porcelain in Europe, and dominated the style of European porcelain manufactured until the mid 17th century. From here, you journey a short distance to  Dresden and check into your hotel for a relaxing three night stay. Dinner tonight will be served at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Dresden          (B,D)

JUNE 2 | CITY TOUR | WINE TASTING |STEAMBOAT

Start your morning with a walking tour of Dresden’s old city quarters. See the famous Frauenkirche, the Dresdner Zwinger, the Stallhof and more. Next, enjoy a guided tour of the famous Semper Opera House, the most famous opera house in all of Germany! The Opera houses the Saxon State Orchestra, one of the world’s oldest and best-known orchestras. After some free time for lunch on your own, you leave town and journey along the  Saxon Wine Route. Here you stop at a winery and sample wines while taking in the scenery. In this area you will find many different varieties of wine, including Traminer, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Dornfelder, and Pinot Noir. This afternoon unwind with a relaxing steamboat cruise on the River Elbe. Dinner tonight is included.

Overnight: Dresden              (B,D)

JUNE 3 | SAXON SWITZERLAND REGION | FORTRESS

After breakfast this morning you leave for the Saxon Switzerland region. Together with the Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic it forms the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Your first stop is the Königstein Fortress, the “Saxon Bastille,” a hilltop fortress located on the left bank of the River Elbe. It is one of the largest hilltop fortifications in Europe and sits atop the mountain Königstein. After a guided tour of the fortress and an included lunch, your journey continues to the Bastei, one of Germany’s most unique landscapes. Giant pinnacles of sandstone rocks tower over the Elbe River and the green countryside. Later this afternoon return back to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.

Overnight: Dresden              (B,L)

JUNE 4 | POTSDAM |  CHURCHILL, TRUMAN, STALIN

After checking out of your hotel this morning, you travel north and arrive in Potsdam around noon. First stop will be the famous Glienicke Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Spies. The bridge straddled the border between East and West Berlin and was used to exchange high-ranking spies between the Eastern and Western powers. After an included lunch you will visit Cecilienhof Palace. It was here that the victorious  powers of World War II met for the Potsdam Conference            during the summer of 1945. Churchill, Truman, and Stalin made world history here discussing how to divide Germany, and later signed the Peace Treaty Agreement. This afternoon check into your hotel for a two-night stay.

Overnight: Potsdam              (B,L)

JUNE 5 | CITY TOUR | SANSSOUCI PALACE | CRUISE

On your city tour this morning discover the regal heritage of Potsdam, Berlin’s posh royal suburb from the past. You will see Downtown Potsdam, Belvedere Pfingstberg, and admire the red brick buildings in the Dutch Quarter. Later you will marvel over the UNESCO-listed wonder of Sanssouci Palace, the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. Explore the palace gardens before returning to your hotel. This evening enjoy a boat tour along the river Havel complete with dinner, wine, beer and entertainment!

Overnight: Potsdam                (B,D)

JUNE 6 | DEPARTURE BACK HOME

This morning you will be transferred to the Berlin airport and board your flight home. The memories you made in East Germany will last forever!            (B)