Glorious Germany & the Czech Republic

Your tour commences this evening in vibrant Berlin – a city now united and rebuilt in even greater glory. Join us tonight for a welcome drink before dinner in your hotel. This is an ideal chance to meet, and get to know, your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.

This morning we are joined by an expert local guide for a panoramic tour to see all the major sights from the famous Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden and rebuilt Reichstag to the Victory Column in the Tiergarten, Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie and remaining sections of “The Wall’. Your afternoon and evening is entirely at leisure. The shopping is amazing and the city brims with world class sights. Perhaps visit one of the five world class museums on UNESCO Heritage listed Museumsinsel (Museum Island) or the riveting Checkpoint Charlie museum and moving Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. This evening discover your own local restaurant for dinner. Maybe dine ‘al fresco’ in Gendarmenmarkt square, dramatically flanked by two beautiful cathedrals and the Berlin Concert Hall.

A full day amongst the UNESCO Heritage listed glorious palaces and gardens of Potsdam! On our way to Potsdam we make a photo stop on the famous Bridge of Unity – more famously known as the ‘Bridge of Spies.  Arriving in Potsdam, we visit the astounding Neues Palais with its newly restored palatial rooms, including the Gottensaal (Grotto Hall) and Marmorgalerie (Marble Gallery).  After ‘My Time’ for lunch in Potsdam’s pretty Dutch Quarter, we enjoy a guided visit to Fredrick the Great’s elegant Sanssouci Summer Palace & Gardens.  Built between 1745 and 1747, Sanssouci was not just a summer residence. It is rumoured to have been Frederick’s favourite place to stay. The palace retains its charm today - the twelve rooms still have their original elegant designs and furnishings. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is recognised as “an outstanding example of architectural creation and landscaping” and “a cultural property of exceptional quality”.
Later we drive south to Lübbenau in Spreewald, where we stay the next two nights. Translated from German the word ‘Schloss’ meaning Castle, Palace or Grand Stately home. Our Lübbenau hotel is aptly called the Hotel Schloss, and it is the only fully preserved castle/palace complex in the region. Set in its own park like gardens, this wonderful hotel offers first class amenities, an award-winning restaurant, and it is located right beside the town, where we board our boats and explore Spreewald. A short walk from the edge of town, the castle of Lübbenau is located in the midst of the Spree Forest, in between the metropolises Berlin and Dresden. Apart from the castle there are the orangery, the former stables, the chancellery and the park that complement the historical ensemble of the castle in the oldest part of Lübbenau, the castle district.

Spreewald, or ‘Spree Forest’, is an utterly entrancing UNESCO listed biosphere reserve. Boarding our punts we are ‘poled’ silently through a dreamy forest on a lacework of channels and canals, lined with wooden cottages, jetties and hamlets. In the heart, at the village of Lehde, we enjoy a lunchtime stop at a waterside restaurant and ‘biergarten’. Back in Lübbenau, your afternoon and evening is at leisure. ‘My Time’ to relax or shop in this delightful inland harbour town. For the more active, maybe take a walk or a bike ride along the forested pathways. And the local food speciality? Gherkins!

Travelling south we arrive mid-morning in the medieval town of Meissen. As we approach the city, the first thing that comes into view is the Burgberg (castle hill) rising over the River Elbe. The hill is home to the magnificent gothic cathedral and Albrechtsburg, a 15th century palace, designed for luxury and style rather than defence. At the base of the Burgberg is Meissen’s marketplace. Cobblestoned streets are bordered by pastel coloured Renaissance buildings – the perfect place to find a café for an early lunch. Continuing on, we reach one of the most infamous castles of WWII – Colditz. Subject of numerous books and films, this enormous castle became the prison for all the greatest POW escapees of the war. Ironically the Nazis therefore created an incredible escape training school! The museum is full of the most amazing array of escape tools and memorabilia. Our local guide will also show us some of the most impossible tunnels and escape routes. Utterly fascinating! Later we arrive in Dresden, where we stay the next three nights.

Rebuilt after the massive bombing raids of WWII, Dresden has once again bloomed into one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in Europe, reflecting the grandeur of this capital of the Electors of Saxony, who once ruled a powerful empire. On our morning walking tour you will see the glorious Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera House and the symbolic Frauenkirche dominating the massive, ancient market square. Following the Fürstenzug – a dramatic, 100 metre long painted porcelain mural depicting the procession of Princes - we visit the Dresden Royal Palace. We have included entrance to the museums including the Armoury, Turkish Chamber, Riesensaal (Giants’ Hall) and the fabulous New Green Vault with over 1,000 beautiful gold and silver bejewelled objects. Simply stunning! The rest of your day is at leisure to explore this delightful city.

We have an incredible day planned in Germany’s ‘Saxon Switzerland’ National Park. First stop will be at the dramatic 75 metre long (easily accessible) stone Bastei Bridge, which links the incredible rock formations, walkways and lookouts, 200 metres above the River Elbe. The panoramic views are stupendous! In the distance you will see the massive rock ramparts of Festung Königstein, which we visit next. Dating back to the 13th century, this is the largest fortress in Germany, and one of the very best castle visits in all Europe! The main entrance tunnel is so impressive, as is the 152 metre deep well, barracks and old wine cellars. The 1.5 kilometre long cliff top ramparts, often lined with restored cannon, are a thrill to walk along. Later, at Pillnitz, we stop to see the park and ornate gardens of Pillnitz Palace, before taking a cruise down the beautiful River Elbe. Journeying past palaces, mansions and the UNESCO listed river farmlands, we arrive into Dresden at Brühl’s Terrace, nicknamed ‘the balcony of Europe. This evening we have included dinner in a local restaurant.

Early afternoon we arrive in Prague, where we stay three nights in the very heart of the old city. On arrival we are joined by our expert local guide for a tour through this fascinating city to the Hradcany – Prague Castle. Covering 7 hectares it is the largest ancient castle in the world. We also visit St Vitus Cathedral and the colourful houses of Zlatá Ulièka, or Golden Lane, named after the goldsmiths who lived here in the 17th century. Dinner this evening is in your hotel.

Your day is completely at leisure to explore the laneways, churches and bridges of this beautiful, UNESCO Heritage listed city. Prague is justifiably known as one of the truly great cities of Europe and the old town is right on your doorstep. Your ‘My Time’ today will so relaxing and rewarding.

Join us today on a full day excursion to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Kutná Hora. Fortune-hunters flocked to Kutná Hora in the 13th century to dig out the silverrich ore discovered here. Once bigger than medieval London, the city minted coins used all across Europe, and its wealth underpinned the power of the Bohemian kings. Here we will visit the Sedlec Ossuary (Church of Bones), with macabre décor of bone art, followed by the wonderful Cathedral of Saint Barbara, a masterpiece of late Gothic fantasy. You will also have free time to relax and explore the lovely old town. For those at ease within narrow, dark spaces we have also included an incredible torch lit guided tour through the 500 year old silver mine labyrinth, deep under the city.

Driving south, we spend lunchtime in the spa town of Třeboň, an undiscovered gem that sits in the heart of this UNESCO listed biosphere. Since the 14th century, man has transformed the surrounding land into an idyllic countryside filled with over 6,000 lakes and islands and it is famous for its … fishponds! The town centre, Schloss and Masaryk Square are a delightful mixture of colourful renaissance buildings and ‘al fresco’ cafés serving fish, and there are so few tourists! We continue to the perfectly preserved 13th century city of Český Krumlov. Originally built as a hamlet around the impressive castle, the wealth from the silver and gold mining, plus Catholic aristocrats seeking refuge during the Reformation, made Český Krumlov the most important city in southern Bohemia. We stay the next two nights in the very heart of this extraordinary, UNESCO World Heritage listed time capsule. On arrival, we board large wooden rafts to enjoy a leisurely float slowly down the placid River Vltava. From your seats you will get the very best views up onto the castle walls and into the old town. What better way to introduce you to the city?

Our Český Krumlov hotel, The Ruze, is a massive historical statement and dominates the town. In 1584 Vilhelm of RoÏmberk, master of the house of RoÏmberks, knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece – highest order of Prague, invited the Order of Jesuits to Český Krumlov. The university monastery he built for them has now been extensively reconstructed preserving the beautiful Renaissance architecture creating your 70-room hotel – The Ruze. The furniture, rooms and public areas are a delight. Set in the centre of town, the terrace has beautiful views down onto the Vltava River. Your stay here will be an unforgettable experience.

This morning we are joined by a local guide to bring to life the history and background of this extraordinary town. You will also enjoy a guided tour of the Castle’s Renaissance and Baroque state rooms. Your afternoon and evening is at leisure in UNESCO Heritage listed Český Krumlov. Relax and enjoy ‘My Time’ amongst the cobblestoned streets, cafés, restaurants, shops and ancient winding alleys.

Heading into Austria we soon reach Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart. On arrival a local guide will accompany us on a walking tour of this enchanting UNESCO Heritage listed city, including several locations used in the film. ‘The Sound of Music’. Your afternoon will be at leisure to explore the ornate squares and churches, fascinating shops and traditional coffee houses. The views from the enormous Festung (Fortress), sitting high above the city, are magnificent. This evening we have included a memorable farewell dinner at the St Peter Stiftskeller. First mentioned as an Inn as far back as the year 803, this is the oldest known restaurant in central Europe!

Your tour ends on arrival in Munich, mid-morning. We will make drop offs in the city centre and at Munich airport. We recommend you book flights or trains that depart Munich after 2pm.