This epic urban adventure through Germany travels by train to eight vibrant cities focusing on contemporary art, medieval architecture, World War II history, and tasty food and drink. Starting in bustling Berlin and ending in maritime Hamburg, you’ll spend two fascinating weeks enjoying guided city tours, drives through the Black Forest, and even detours in the Czech Republic and France along the way.
- Highlights
- Detailed Itinerary
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- Learn more about World War II during a guided tour of iconic Nuremberg
- Taste street food in Berlin, go wine tasting in Dresden and sip beer in Munich
- Get back to nature during a driving tour through the deep, dark Black Forest
- Bike along the picturesque canals and lakefronts in Hamburg on your last day
Welcome to Berlin, Germany's exciting capital city! Upon arrival, you'll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel by private car. Take some time to settle in your room and relax. Then, refuel after your journey and get to know the city through a small-group street food tour.Meet your guide and then learn about Berlin's traditional German food and multicultural influences. Start with a hearty kebab, a reflection of the city's contemporary international culture, and wander through the hidden streets and bohemian neighborhoods of the historic Barn Quarter, admiring the street art and war-torn ruins. While learning about the city's culture and history, you'll also sample Berlin's most famous dishes, including the Cold War staple currywurst. There will, of course, be a chance to refresh with a pint of German beer at a local brewery.
Get to know Berlin on a deeper level today as you explore the city's street art scene with a knowledgeable guide. Berlin's street art scene has become a vital part of the city's cultural identity since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and is an ever-evolving masterpiece shaped by the city's history, politics, and diverse communities. Start your tour at an iconic graffiti wall in Kreuzberg, home to some of the city's most renowned street artists. You'll be able to observe the artists at work and ask them questions about their craft.From here, take a stroll through other city neighborhoods and outdoor galleries while looking out for graffiti, installations, and sculptures created by local and international artists. Observe the different techniques used by artists to create their murals, ranging from stencils to freehand painting. Make sure to get some local recommendations for your guide along the way, and then continue sightseeing at your own pace.
After breakfast in Berlin, you'll board a train for Dresden, a city near the border of both Poland and the Czech Republic. Once you've arrived and settled at your hotel, it's time to embark on a delightful bike tour through the city on a multi-person bicycle, starting at Neumarkt. Dresden was destroyed by Allied bombing toward the end of World War II but has been lovingly restored in the decades since. Pedal through some of the most picturesque parts of Dresden, checking out highlights such as the reconstructed Frauenkirche and the Neo-Renaissance Albrechtsberg Palace.
Next, you'll head to the small town of Benešov nad Ploučnicí to visit the château. Boasting a rare and captivating Saxon Renaissance architectural style, this remarkable structure is considered one of a kind. After visiting the château, enjoy delicious homemade crepes for lunch.
The final stop of your Czech adventure is Tisa Rock City (Tiské Stěny), in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, an area known as Bohemian Switzerland (České Švýcarsko). Wander through the hidden alleyways and admire the awe-inspiring rock formations of this natural wonder, getting some exercise and fresh air before returning to Dresden.
Travel southwest by train today from Dresden to Nuremberg, a beautiful city with a chilling Nazi history, which you'll experience during a guided tour. Start by visiting Nuremberg's former Nazi Party Rally Grounds, a striking testament to the megalomania of Hitler's National Socialist regime. Your tour begins at the Luitpold Arena site, once a massive gathering spot for Nazi rallies. Next, visit the Congress Hall, an imposing structure intended to house thousands of Nazi party members during their rallies.From here, stroll down the Great Street, a colossal boulevard designed for Nazi parades and processions. Your tour concludes at the Zeppelin Field, another significant site that once hosted thousands of spectators. As you take in the vastness of this site, reflect on the immense scale of the Nazi regime's ambitions and the lasting effect they had on history.
Continue south today with a train ride to Munich, a historic city in Bavaria's capital. Every October, Munich hosts the famous Oktoberfest beer festival. Even if you're not visiting in October, you can get a taste of the action with a food and beer-focused tour of the city.Start with a tour (and tasting) at the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum in downtown Munich. Savor traditional Bavarian delicacies such as white sausage and bretzel (pretzel) at the renowned Weißes Bräuhaus. You can also explore the local food market's specialties and, if weather permits, unwind in a beer garden to truly appreciate Munich's unique atmosphere and world-famous brews. It's a great way to appreciate local life and culture, too.
While in Munich, you'll discover the enchanting beauty of Germany's Black Forest (Schwarzwald) on a guided day trip to this natural area in the southwestern corner of Baden-Württemberg. This dense, dark forest stretches west to the Rhine River and south into the foothills of the Swiss Alps, offering some of Germany's most stunning natural landscapes.
Your journey begins at the heart of the Black Forest, where your guide will introduce you to the region's history, legends, and folklore. You'll also learn how the forest got its name due to the sun's inability to penetrate the thick pine trees. Your guide will highlight the flora and fauna as you trek through the forest.
Next, visit some villages nestled around the forest, and see local artisans making cuckoo clocks and other traditional carvings. Sample some authentic cuisine, including the famous Black Forest gâteau—a rich, chocolaty cake layered with cherries and whipped cream. Continue your journey, stopping at various scenic viewpoints over hills, forests, lakes, and mountains along the way. Toward the end of the tour, head to serene Lake Titisee, a picturesque glacial lake surrounded by dense woodland.
Today you'll take a train northwest to Frankfurt, a major city and financial hub in western Germany. After your arrival, embark on a beer-tasting tour in the Old Town (Altstadt) and dive into Germany's rich brewing traditions. You can choose the length of your excursion depending on how much you want to sample, but a typical tour includes visits to two beer venues and one traditional restaurant. Either way, this is a fun and authentic way of experiencing Frankfurt's Old Town while learning about the city's culture and history from a local guide.
Day 9: Day Trip to Baden-Baden & Strasbourg (France)
Get out of Frankfurt today—and out of Germany, even—on a day trip to Baden-Baden and Strasbourg, over the border in France. Begin with a guided tour of the spa town Baden-Baden, on the edge of the Black Forest, and learn about its famous thermal baths and the town's elegant architecture, including the famous Kurhaus Casino. Then, cross the border into France to visit Strasbourg, a city known for its unique blend of French and German influences.
You'll have free time to explore Strasbourg at your own pace. Your guide will also provide you with a ticket for the Petite Train, which will take you on a scenic ride through Strasbourg's UNESCO-listed historic center, La Petite France. Be sure to visit other important sites like the Strasbourg Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Head farther north by train today to yet another great city: Düsseldorf. Start with a guided tour that includes the city's art scene, shopping mile, and interesting history. You'll visit central hotspots such as the Town Hall (Rathaus), the equestrian statue called Jan-Wellem-Reiterstandbild, the Rhine Promenade (Rheinuferpromenade), and Castle Tower (Schlossturm), before stopping at a local brewery for an authentic Düsseldorf Altbier.Along the way, listen to your guide's entertaining anecdotes about the city's foundation, famous artists, and German punk, all while learning phrases from the local dialect, Düsseldorfer Platt, and uncovering hidden gems like the "longest bar in the world," the Düsseldorfer Altstadt.
It's time to head south of Düsseldorf today by train to visit another lovely city: Cologne. Once settled at your hotel, embark on a guided tour of the city's spectacular churches, exploring the rich history and architectural marvels of the city's Old Town.Meet your guide and visit some of the most significant sacred sites, including the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral from 1248; the Romanesque Basilica of St. Ursula that's dedicated to Cologne's patron saint; the 12th-century Great St. Martin Church; and the incredible 4th-century Basilica of St. Gereon. At the latter, admire the unique architecture, including the striking decagonal nave and the colorful frescoes that adorn the interior.
Your Germany train tour culminates in Hamburg, one of the country's most northern cities. Hamburg is set on the many channels and canals of the River Elbe, and water and bridges have a prominent place in its cityscape.After your arrival, embark on a three-hour culinary tour through the trendsetting HafenCity district, exploring the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt historic warehouse complex full of Neo-Gothic brick warehouses, the striking Elbphilharmonie concert hall that was inaugurated in 2017, and other architectural landmarks. One highlight will be taking the 269-foot-long (82 m), slightly curved escalator into the interior of the Elbphilharmonie. After the tour, explore the city's sophisticated drinking and dining scene.
Explore more of beautiful Hamburg today and get to know its unique blend of historic and contemporary architecture on a guided bicycle tour. This journey is ideal for first-time visitors looking to explore the city's streets and waterfront in a unique and active way. Kick off the tour at the stunning Outer Alster Lake, where you'll get a feel for the city's picturesque natural surroundings. As you pedal around the lake, admire the beautiful homes and parks lining its shores. Next, head to the impressive Hamburg City Hall, the seat of Hamburg's government.
Your tour continues with a visit to the iconic Baroque St. Michael's Church, one of Hamburg's landmarks. From there, pedal your way to the warehouse district of Speicherstadt and HafenCity, which you visited yesterday. No visit to Hamburg would be complete without a stop at the famous landing bridges and the lively St. Pauli district, once the sailor's quarter in this maritime city and now a hotspot for nightlife, music, and entertainment.
It's time to say goodbye to Hamburg and to Germany! Depending on the time of your departure flight or onward train journey, you may have time for a last stroll along Hamburg's riverbanks or for a leisurely breakfast or lunch. When it's time to leave, you'll take a private car to the airport or the train station. Auf Wiedersehen!
