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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
This is really three relaxing city stays linked together with interesting travelling days with important stops en route like the visit to Colditz Castle. There is the opportunity for extensive sightseeing & exploration in each city plus ample leisure time to just sit back & people watch!
DAY 1 – FRI – BERLIN AT LEISURE
On arrival at Berlin's Tegel Airport there are complimentary transfers to your hotel, situated in the heart of town, on the banks of the Spree. This afternoon why not walk along the 'Ku-damm', the shopping street of western Berlin which during 40 years of division became the show window of the West and the envy of the East. Tonight get to know your fellow passengers and Tour Director over a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Marriott.
DAY 2 – SAT – BERLIN SIGHTSEEING
This morning's sightseeing with a local guide takes us to both parts of this reunited city, seeing monuments from every period of its history. We start on Museum Island before driving along the Unter den Linden seeing the beautifully restored State Opera House. Now past Brandenburg Gate and the remnants of the Berlin Wall, preserved as a memorial to grim recent history, into the western part of the city. Here we see the Reichstag building (symbol of Hitler's rise to power). We then drive through the Tiergarten, the oldest park in the city, passing the towering Victory Column before returning to our hotel. This afternoon is at leisure - why not visit the vast collections of the Pergamon Museum? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – SUN – BERLIN – COLDITZ – DRESDEN
We cross the mighty river Elbe this morning to visit Wittenberg. Here, in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Schlosskirche and set the Reformation in motion, now Luther himself lies buried in the same church. We continue to the vibrant city of Leipzig, known for its music and commercial fairs,to visit the tomb of J.S.Bach in the world famous Thomas Church. Now an exciting drive takes us through rural villages to visit the forbidding fortress of Colditz, used as a supposedly escape proof prisoner of war camp in World War II. Finally we organise our own 'escape' to the baroque city of Dresden. Hotel: Westin Bellevue. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – MON – DRESDEN SIGHTSEEING
Our city tour this morning shows us the splendours of 'Florence on the Elbe', now rising again from the destruction of horrific air raids in 1945. The most recent example is the Frauenkirche, which we view before admiring the 'Procession of Dukes' - a colossal mosaic on the Castle wall. Next door we see the cathedral and the tiered facade of the Semper Opera House. Now we visit the Royal Palace to admire the Green Vault collections - the artistic treasures assembled by the Saxon princes over the centuries. Later, there is time to shop or continue sightseeing? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 5 – TUE – DRESDEN – MEISSEN EXCURSION
This morning we journey to Meissen, home of fine German porcelain since 1710. A visit to the factory's museum will show you some of the finest examples of their products. We return to our hotel this afternoon where we can relax and enjoy the magnificent views of Dresden and the river from the summer terraces. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – WED – DRESDEN – PRAGUE
This morning we travel along the valley of the River Elbe to the amazing sandstone pinnacles and cliffs of 'Saxon Switzerland'. Across the Czech border we pay our respects at the Terezín Memorial, a former fortress town converted into a concentration camp by the Nazis during WWII. Later this afternoon we stop in the lovely town of Melnik before reaching Prague, ancient capital of Bohemia and now of the Czech Republic. Tonight we enjoy a highlight dinner of traditional cuisine complete with music! Hotel: Movenpick. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 7 – THU – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
Our walking tour this morning shows us the highlights of 'Golden Prague' spreading either side of the Vltava River. From the heights of Prague Castle, a 'city within a city' dominated by the soaring spires of St. Vitus' Cathedral, we look down on the Old Town. Now we descend to explore the Old Town Square - don't miss the Four Apostles appearing above the Astronomical Clock on the hour! This afternoon we are at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – FRI – PRAGUE AT LEISURE
Today we are at leisure in this most beautiful of cities. Stroll with your loved one across the romantic Charles Bridge to the charming Lesser Town? Or visit the Jewish Quarter where the world's oldest synagogue still operates? Perhaps join a tour to one of the nearby country castles, or the ancient mining town of Kutná Hora? Alternatively, dedicate the day to two of the most famous Czech products - fine crystal and beer? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – SAT – PRAGUE – BERLIN
Today we travel northwards across the Erzgebirge Mountains and back into Germany. Following part of the original 'Hitler highway' we return to Berlin in time for dinner at our hotel. Hotel: Hilton. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 10 – SUN – BERLIN
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. Transfers arrive at Berlin's Tegel Airport at 08.00 & 10.00 hrs. (Buffet breakfast)
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