Immerse yourself in the festive spirit of Christmas and delight in the Christmas Markets of Dresden, Nuremberg and Munich. Also, wander through charming streets and narrow alleyways of Bamberg, see baroque palaces of Potsdam and relax with a stein of world-famous Bavarian beer.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Berlin

Your vacation begins with an overnight flight to Germany.

Day 2 - Berlin

Touch down in Berlin. After hotel check-in, meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s included dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Berlin

Today, a local expert guide shows you the monuments to Berlin’s intricate past as well as signs of its re-emergence as a vibrant cultural center. Visit Brandenburg Gate, once the symbol of the undeclared Cold War, and now the symbol of a reunited Berlin. See the site where Checkpoint Charlie once guarded the border between East and West Germany. Journey down Unter den Linden, once considered one of the world’s most elegant boulevards. Spend a free afternoon on your own or take park in an optional World War II walking tour. (B)

$69 USD

World War II walking tour Take a walk through history on this insider’s tour of Berlin during World War II, detailing the rise and fall of Hitler and the Third Reich.

Day 4 - Berlin

Travel to Potsdam in former East Germany. Once the playground of Frederick the Great, Potsdam was where American, British and Soviet leaders met in 1945 to determine Germany's future. On your guided tour, see the palaces, pavilions and gardens of Frederick's residence before returning to Berlin for a free evening. (B)

Day 5 - Dresden

Journey to Dresden today, traveling through Wittenberg,  a UNESCO World Heritage Site, best known as the city where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the cathedral door and started the Protestant Reformation. (B, D)

Day 6 - Dresden

Enjoy a guided tour of Dresden, pass the Semper Opera House and visit Zwinger Palace. Then, visit Striezelmarket, one of Germany's oldest documented Christmas markets. In the center of the market, you’ll set eyes upon a beautiful spruce brought from the nearby Tharandt woods and decorated with lights. Later, join an optional excursion to Leipzig, site of the Battle of the Nations, which ended Napoleon's run of conquest in Europe.  (B)

$99 USD

Leipzig In Leipzig, you'll see one of Europe's well-known universities and the site of the world's oldest trade fair. Located north of the city, the fair is home to the world's largest levitated glass hall.

Day 7 - Bamberg

Travel by way of Weimar. This intellectual hub nurtured the genius of Goethe, Nietzsche and Schiller. The city also gave rise to the Weimar Republic, the failed attempt to establish a liberal German democracy between the two World Wars. Continue through the Weimar countryside for a visit to Belvedere Palace. Reach the Bavarian town of Bamberg in time for this evening’s included dinner. (B, D)

Day 8 - Bamberg

Today’s guided tour leads you through the plain, islands and seven hills of Bamberg. Wander through the well-preserved medieval Old Town, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Bamberg Cathedral, an impressive Romanesque structure with four imposing towers. Then pay a visit to “Little Venice,” a colony of quaint fishers’ houses on the banks of the river Regnitz. This afternoon, delve into the medieval history of Germany with an optional tour of Rothenburg. (B)

$55 USD

Rothenburg Visit Rothenburg, the best-preserved walled town in Germany. During the Middle Ages, Rothenburg was Germany's second-largest city, with 6,000 inhabitants. Today, it is a favorite for those seeking a slice of quaint Medieval Germany.

Day 9 - Munich

This morning, stop in Nuremberg on your way to Munich, a city renowned for its festive and charming traditions. Right in the middle of the city, on Nuremberg Main Market Square, you’ll witness a traditional like no other—a festival sprawl of traditional wares: spicy gingerbread, fruit loaves, bakery goods; and typical Christmas articles, like Christmas tree angels, cribs, Christmas tree ornaments and candles. Then on a guided tour of Munich, view the Olympic Stadium, the Schwabing district and the Residenz. Pay a visit to Nymphenburg Palace and continue to Marienplatz, Munich’s medieval heart. (B)

Day 10 - Munich

Revel in the friendly ambiance of Munich with a free day to explore on your own. Or join an optional excursion to the former concentration camp at Dachau. (B)

$29 USD

Dachau Dachau served as one of the most notorious concentration camps during World War II. Today the camp is a Holocaust memorial museum .

Day 11 - Munich

Take advantage of free time for a walk in the Englischer Garten or a visit to the BMW museum. Or head into the Bavarian mountains on an optional excursion to Neuschwanstein, the castle of “Mad King” Ludwig. The excursion includes a visit to Oberammergau, known throughout the world for its open-air staging of the Passion Play, Germany’s oldest festival. Reflect on your travels at this evening’s Farewell Dinner. (B, D)

$75 USD

Neuschwanstein & Oberammergau One of the most recognizable castles in the world, Neuschwanstein is a spectacular sight to behold. As you tour the castle’s interior, you’ll see many examples of the young "Mad" King Ludwig's eclectic tastes.

Day 12 - Munich

Extend your stay with three nights in Vienna or board your flight home. (B)