DAY 1 AUSTRALIA – FRANKFURT

Fly from Australia to Frankfurt.

DAY 2 FRANKFURT – RHINE VALLEY (D)

Arrive Frankfurt.
Coach transfer to Ruedesheim.
Enjoy a cruise on the River Rhine passing the famous Loreley Rock.
Meet your coach again and proceed to your accommodation in the Rhine Valley.
Dinner included.

DAY 3 RHINE VALLEY – COLOGNE (B, D)

After breakfast travel to Cologne via Bonn, the former capital of Germany. Explore Cologne and its famous Cathedral which, in contrast to the city centre, suffered minor damages at the end of WWII. Dinner included this evening.

DAY 4 COLOGNE – BERLIN (B, D)

Following breakfast experience the ICE high speed train from Cologne to Berlin. On arrival enjoy a city tour by coach. Highlights include the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Tiergarten, Unter den Linden, Alexanderplatz and Museum Island. Dinner included this evening.

DAY 5 BERLIN (B, D)

After breakfast take a coach tour to Potsdam including a visit of Sanssouci Palace. The city sights tour will take you through the Dutch and Russian Quarters, past the Nikolai Church and to the Glienicker Brücke, where Russia and the Western Allies exchanged spies during the Cold War. See Cecilienhof, where the former allies negotiated the post-World War II order that emerged. Dinner included.

DAY 6 BERLIN (B, D)

Breakfast at hostel.
Own arrangements for sightseeing.
Suggested sightseeing options include the Reichstag, the Mauermuseum at former Checkpoint Charlie, the Jewish museum, the East Side Gallery and modern Potsdamer Platz with the Sony Centre. Visit some of the many museums on the Museum Island or enjoy shopping at Friedrichstrasse.
Dinner included.

DAY 7 BERLIN – DRESDEN (B, D)

Check out after breakfast, then depart Berlin by coach to Dresden in the former GDR. A guided walking tour will introduce you to the baroque city which was almost totally destroyed at the end of WWII. See the newly renovated Frauenkirche, the Semperoper and the Zwinger Palace. Dinner included.

DAY 8 DRESDEN – NÜRNBERG (B, D)

After breakfast continue to Nürnberg and enjoy this lively city, where medieval and modern elements co-exist. Not only famous for its Christmas Market and sausages, it is also renowned for the Nazi Rally Grounds and the ‘Judgement of Nürnberg’. Dinner is included this evening.

DAY 9 NÜRNBERG – DACHAU - MUNICH (B, D)

Check out after breakfast. Depart for Dachau, the site of the first German concentration camp. It confined more than 206,000 political opponents, Jews, clergymen and so-called “undesirable elements”, imprisoned by the National Socialist regime between 1933 and 1945. Proceed to Munich, the capital of the free state of Bavaria. Dinner included this evening.

DAY 10 MUNICH (B, D)

After breakfast take a walking tour of Munich, originally a village founded by Benedictine Monks. Suggested visits include the Deutsche Museum, the largest technical museum in the world; and the BMW Museum near the Olympiapark, site of the 1972 Olympics. Dinner included.

DAY 11 MUNICH (B, D)

Following breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to Hohenschwangau by public transport including a guided tour of picture-perfect Neuschwanstein Castle built in the 19th century by “mad” King Ludwig. Dinner included this evening.

DAY 12 MUNICH – SALZBURG – MUNICH (B, D)

After breakfast travel to Salzburg, Austria, by train. Sightseeing suggestions: Visit the Fortress Hohensalzburg or take a Sound of Music tour (hop-on hop-off bus). Return to Munich in time for dinner.

DAY 13 MUNICH – AUSTRALIA (B, D)

Check out of your accommodation after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Australia.

DAY 14 MUNICH – AUSTRALIA (B, D)

Arrive Australia (subject to airline schedules).

BERLIN OPTIONS:

at additional cost

The Berlin Story

An exciting multimedia journey through 800 years of the Berliner’s history, from medieval times through the dark period of the National Socialist regime, to the Cold War. Includes a visit to an original nuclear shelter.

Museums Pass Berlin

Visit the famous Prussian Cultural Heritage buildings of Museum Island including the Pergamon Museum, Egyptian Museum and Gemäldegalerie.

Jüdisches Museum Berlin

Europe’s largest Jewish Museum presents the panorama of two millennia of German-Jewish history, its cultural achievements, and its horror. Opened in 2001, the museum sets a 21st century benchmark for museums.

AUSTRIA OPTIONS

at additional cost

Salzburg

Experience the beauty of one of Europe’s most picturesque cities - once the home of Mozart, and renowned around the world for its architecture, music and food - on a day tour from Munich.

Sound of Music Tour

The hills are alive with breathtaking views of the landscape made famous by the musical and movie, the Sound of Music. Highlights include the historical and architectural landmarks of Salzburg and the stunning lake district.