Poland, East Germany and WWII

Overview

A stirring exploration of World War II's most important sites across Poland and East Germany. Visit the haunting remains of Auschwitz and Birkenau, find inspiration at Oskar Schindler’s factory, and enjoy sightseeing in Krakow, Nuremberg and Berlin.

UK - Arrive in Warsaw, Poland

Fly to Warsaw where on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

Welcome to Warsaw! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions, and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner at one of Warsaw’s excellent restaurants.

Warsaw

Your Local Guide will tell you about the tormented, often tragic history of this important gateway city between East and West. See the medieval Stare Miasto (Old Quarter) with its market square and 14th-century CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN, the “wedding cake” Palace of Culture and Science, neoclassical Lazienki Palace, and the remnants of the Jewish ghetto. An optional excursion to the Royal Castle is available.

Warsaw–Auschwitz/Birkenau–Krakow

Visit Auschwitz and Birkenau, and see what is left of the CONCENTRATION CAMPS, chilling reminders of the Holocaust and the most notorious among the World War II concentration camps. Then, continue to Krakow, for centuries the residence of Polish kings.

Krakow

This morning, there is a chance to join an optional excursion to the Wieliczka salt mines. Back in Krakow, follow your Local Guide for a stroll through Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter; a visit to the REMUH SYNAGOGUE; and a visit to the OSKAR SCHINDLER FACTORY, made famous in the movie Schindler’s List. How about tonight’s optional Polish dinner and folklore show?

Krakow–Wroclaw

Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide in ancient Krakow features the Market Square, 14th-century Jagiellonian University, and ST. MARY’S CHURCH. Take pictures of impressive Wawel Royal Castle, one of Poland’s largest castles. Next is Wroclaw, historical capital of Silesia. This impressive city belonged over the ages to Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, Germany, and (after 1945) to Poland. Hear about its turbulent history during your guided tour, and admire its highlights, such as the cathedral and the MARKET SQUARE with its fine patrician houses.

Wroclaw–Dresden, Germany

Cross the border and arrive in Dresden, former capital of Saxony. Badly damaged by Allied bombing in February 1945, the city has since been restored to its baroque splendor. During your guided walking tour, visit the Zwinger Palace COURTYARD to admire its impressive architecture; the magnificent baroque Semper Opera, originally built in 1841, once destroyed by fire, then destroyed by bombing, and finally restored in 1985; and the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche. Afterward, a great dinner and local specialties awaits you in Dresden’s well-known Am Pulverturm restaurant.

Dresden-Torgau-Berlin

Hear about Joe Polowsky on your way to Torgau then, see the monument commemorating the meeting of US and Soviet forces during World War II, and visit the COURTYARD at magnificent Hartenfels Castle. Continue to Berlin, capital of reunited Germany. Sightseeing with a Local Guide in the once-divided metropolis includes the fabulous boulevard Unter den Linden with its historical buildings like the Berlin Cathedral and State Opera House, Museum Island, a picture stop at monumental Brandenburg Gate, the restored Reichstag, the 210-foot Victory Column in the vast Tiergarten Park, Charlottenburg Palace and the elegant Ku-Damm. Visit the KAISER WILHELM MEMORIAL CHURCH with its bomb-damaged tower, have a picture stop at the Holocaust Memorial, and pass the former Allied Checkpoint Charlie.

At leisure in Berlin

A full day at leisure offers the opportunity to join an optional excursion to Potsdam.

Berlin-Weimar. Excursion to Buchenwald

Weimar has always been an important city for Germany in many ways, politically and culturally. During your walking tour see the theatre where the Weimar Constitution, that governed Germany between the two World Wars, was drafted, but it was also the city where great poets like Goethe and Schiller lived and the birthplace of the Weimar Claissicsm, a humanistic cultural movement. In the afternoon, a special visit have been included to Buchenwald at the site of the former CONCENTRATION CAMP. Return to Weimar.

Weimar–Nuremberg

Arrive in Nuremberg and visit the MEMORIUM NUREMBERG TRIALS and COURTROOM 600 (if available), followed by visits to the impressive DOCUMENTATION CENTRE and ZEPPELIN FIELD. In the afternoon, walk through the pedestrian area of the charming Old Town, known for children’s toys and gingerbread. Admire the impressive medieval ramparts; St. Sebald Church, painstakingly reconstructed as a monument to peace from the rubble of near-total wartime destruction; and the Schöner Brunnen, a 14th-century fountain dedicated to the Holy Roman Empire. It is said that it brings good luck to spin the two brass rings. Tonight, during dinner taste the traditional Nürnberger Bratwürste that has been prepared for you at Bratwurst Röslein restaurant.

Nuremberg–Dachau–Munich

Visit the site of the former Dachau CONCENTRATION CAMP, which started out as a work camp for German dissidents. Then, continue to Munich, Bavaria’s capital. Explore MARIENPLATZ with the Old and New Town Halls, and the gothic Frauenkirche.

Munich

Today is your chance to join an optional excursion to spectacular Berchtesgaden and Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest (available only from mid-May to end-September and weather-permitting). This evening, look forward to a farewell dinner to say auf Wiedersehen to your travel companions and to share your feelings about this exciting and emotional encounter with World War II.

Munich - UK

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK