Poland, East Germany & World War II

Welcome to Warsaw! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Royal Ceremonies Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour to get you acquainted with Warsaw, Poland’s capital city. Visit the medieval Stare Miasto (Old Town) and the Cathedral of St. John. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to explore more of the city. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITIONS Explore the historic city of Warsaw where you’ll visit the medieval old town and the impressive 14th-century Cathedral of St. John. The Cathedral has witnessed coronations of Polish kings, royal weddings, and funerals throughout Polish history. During World War II it suffered heavy damage as it was in the midst of the Warsaw uprising.

History Lessons Depart Warsaw and travel south, arrive early afternoonin 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) 273 mi / 440 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOTS 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.

Heroic Figures Enjoy free time this morning to start exploring the city of Krakow. Later, join a guided walking tour of Kazimierz, the Old Jewish Quarter, visit the Remuh Synagogue, and see the Oskar Schindler Factory. Late afternoon and evening, enjoy some leisure time to explore more and try some of the local dishes. (B) LOCAL FAVORITE HISTORY & HERITAGE 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 sixteenth century and is still active today.

Gothic Tales Meet your local guide for the city sightseeing tour comprising the Market Square, a photo stop at Wavel 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 Wroclawand 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) 199 mi / 320 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEM 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.

German 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, [LOCAL FAVORITE] a dinner with local specialties awaits you at Am Pulverturm restaurant. (B,D) 180 mi / 290 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEM Explore the heart of Dresden with a walk to Zwinger Palace courtyard. Revered for its stunning Baroque architecture and beautiful gardens, this spectacular palace complex is the most famous building in Dresden.

Remembrance & 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. Free time this evening to explore more. (B) 174 mi / 280 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT 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.

The Boulevards of Berlin Enjoy a free day in Berlin, 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 EXPLORE MORE 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.

Loss & Liberation Reach Weimar and take a walking orientation 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) 190 mi / 305 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Buchenwald was 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.

Recording History Today Nuremberg takes the spotlight. Learn about the historic proceeding with a [LOCAL FAVORITE] visit to the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, Courtroom 600 (if available), and the Documentation Center. Visit the Zeppelin Field, once a 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, [LOCAL FAVORITE] enjoy dinner with traditional Nürnberger Bratwürste (small sausages) at the Bratwurst Röslein restaurant. (B,D) 190 mi / 305 km LOCAL FAVORITE WILKOMMEN! 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.

Dark 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 and see the Glockenspiel, and the Old and New Town Halls. (B) 121 mi / 195 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Experience the geographical and cultural heart of Munich at its Marienplatz, the town square since 1158. Stroll through the home to historic buildings, including the Old and New Town Halls in the picturesque heart and soul of the city.

Auf Wiedersehen, Munich! Free time today to get acquainted with lively Munich, considered the richest city in Germany, BMW’s hometown, and location of the world’s largest beer festival. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner together with your travel companions. (B,D) ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE 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!

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)