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)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

This itinerary includes the following countries: Germany and Austria (on the optional excursion to Salzburg as well as the tour extension to Vienna).

In order to enter these countries, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States.

No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Germany. Still, it is always advisable to check with your health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Berlin and depart from Munich (or Vienna on extension). Included transportation on Historic Germany: Berlin to Bavaria is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the main cities by public transportation.

Berlin’s very efficient transportation system (BVG) consists of buses, trams, the U-Bahn (underground trains) and the S-Bahn (elevated trains). A BVG standard ticket is valid for two hours of transportation, including transfers. During your stay, you might consider purchasing a 24-hour ticket or the three-day Welcome Card.

Munich’s transportation system (MVV) is top-notch, an all-inclusive combination of trams, buses, U-bahn and S-bahn. Purchase tickets based on time of validity from newspaper stands, vending machines or the drivers. Most of the major attractions lie within the inner-city blue zone.

Vienna has one of Europe’s most efficient transportation systems. You can purchase tickets in singles or in bulk for S-bahn (above ground), U-bahn (underground), tram and bus lines. The waiting time for trains and subways is usually no more than five to 10 minutes.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. Sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The euro is the currency you will use on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.

We advise that you take credit cards, ATM/bank cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend €1 per local guide.

Tips may only be paid in cash.