Trip Itinerary to Germany & Austria

Day 1
Depart for your transatlantic flight to Berlin, Germany.

                         Day 2  
You will be greeted on arrival by your bilingual ETS tour escort and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy an afternoon walking around this once divided city. A good beginning would be the centerpiece of this division, The Brandenburger Tor or Brandenburg Gate. Before the fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification, the Gate stood in "no man's land". If your route permits, consider a small detour to see the Reichstag, burned by the Nazis as a symbol of their rise to power. From the Brandenburg gate, you will walk along the Unter Den Linden, under the Lime Trees into historic Berlin. Reaching the end of this processional thoroughfare, you will arrive in Alexanderplatz. This square was named for the Tsar Alexander I and contains the World Clock and the Friendship Fountain.    D

                                                   Day 3
After breakfast, you will enjoy a walk through the Tiergarten. While in the park, do not miss the Philharmonic Hall. This original concert hall was designed with the orchestra placed in the center surrounded by the audience. You will then visit the Topographie des Terrors. This memorial is housed in the former Nazi Secret police headquarters. The building has views of the government quarter of the Third Reich, as well as a picture history of Nazism. Continue on to "Check Point Charlie". This was the crossing point from East to West during the cold war. Have lunch on the way to Museum Island along the Spree River. This afternoon, you may stay to visit some of the museums or choose to visit the Charlottenburg. Charlottenburg was originally the summer home for the wife of Frederick I, King of Prussia; but it soon became an impressive palace. This evening you may wish to stroll through the small cobbled streets of the St. Nicolas Quarter for dinner. BD

                                                   Day 4
Depart early this morning for your visit of Potsdam. In 1945, Atllee, Stalin, and Roosevelt divided Germany into zones of control. This partition, signed in the Cecilienhof Castle, was known as the Potsdam agreement and shaped Germany for the next 50 years. Then, you will continue on for a visit of the Sans-Souci Palace. The Palace and gardens were constructed as a retreat for Frederick the Great, so he could relax "without a care" (sans-souci). Leaving Potsdam you will drive south to Bayreuth, known as the residence of the composer Wagner. If time permits, visit the Luisenburg, which is a labyrinth of granite boulder and eroded rocks. This evening enjoy dinner in Bayreuth. BD

                                        Day 5
After breakfast, you will visit Wagner's festival Theatre and the rococo Margrave Opera House. Depart Bayreuth for Rothenberg ob der Tauber where you will have lunch. This 12c town overlooking the Tauber valley with its well preserved ramparts is wonderfully picturesque to walk around. Spend the afternoon visiting or shopping in Rottenberg. This evening will be in Rottenberg. BD


                                                  Day 6
You will depart this morning for the most scenic region of Bavaria. First, a visit to the Linderhof Castle in the Ammergau Alps. This lavish palace was built by Ludwig I as his romantic hunting lodge. You may wish to walk around the lovely Italian style terraced gardens with its pools and cascades.  You will also stop at Neuschwanstein, the castle that inspired Walt Disney to make “Sleeping Beauty”.   You will then continue on to Salzburg for the evening.            BD

                                                  Day 7
Begin your morning with a walk through the old town of Salzburg. Stroll through the small squares of the old town, Mozartplatz, Domplatz, and Residenplatz before a visit to the Dom. This Cathedral (Dom) was built from 1614 to 1630 and is impressive by its sheer size. The Hohensalzburg Fortress rests above the city and is reached by a short funicular ride. Walk through the fortress and gardens to enjoy superb views of Salzburg. This afternoon, walk around the Getreidegasse street and its many shops and interconnected (Durchhauser) houses. Do not miss the Mozart Geburtshaus, the birthplace of the great composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Dinner and the evening will be spent in Salzburg. BD

                                     Day 8
Leave Salzburg today for the capital of Austria, Vienna, with a stop en route at the Salt Mines, followed by a stop in Melk.  Visit the Abbey Church and the terrace, which allows a spectacular view of the Danube. Continue on to Vienna.  If time permits, visit the Hofburg Palace this afternoon or tomorrow.                          BD

                                                   Day 9
This morning you will have a guided walking tour of the old town of Vienna. In the afternoon you will visit the Schonbrunn Castle. BD

                      Day 10
Transfer to the airport for your transatlantic flight home.            B

                   

TRIP INCLUDES:

  • Transatlantic Airfare

  • 8 nights in superior or tourist class hotels with breakfast

  • Bilingual ETS tour escort

  • Private coach beginning April 23

  • 8 dinners in local restaurants

  • 3 guided tours of Berlin, Salzburg and Vienna

  • 10 entrance fees including: Topographie of Terrors, Sans-Souci Palace, Linderhof Castle, Hohensalsburg Fortress, Mozart Birthplace, Abbey of Melk, Schonbrunn, Belvedere, Neuschwanstein, and the Salt Mines