Day 1: Munich Arrival

Upon arrival pick up your rental car and drive a short distance to your hotel. After check-in at the hotel relax. Later on explore Munich, the capital of the State of Bavaria on your own.

Overnight in Munich.

Hotels:
The Platzl Hotel

 

Day 2: Munich Sightseeing

After breakfast enjoy a private guided sightseeing tour of Munich introducing you to all the major highlights this fun-loving city has to offer. Munich is Germany’s third largest city and the capital of  Bavaria. Sites include the Olympic Stadium with its impressive amazing ‘hanging roof’, continue along the famous Ludwigstrasse past the university and Victory Arch into the heart of the city. Regularly crowds gather at Marienplatz outside the soaring neo-gothic Town Hall to watch the colorful Glockenspiel.

In  the afternoon visit Munich’s traditional Christmas market, whose roots go back to the 14th century -  held on Marienplatz square. The Kripperlmarket, a market specializing in Nativity scenes, is one of the largest in Germany.  There is Alpine Christmas music live from the town hall balcony every day. A free tour of the ‘Christkindlmarket’ tells you all you need to know about Bratäpfel and Fastchkindl, while the ‘Himmelwerkstatt’ workshop offers creative activities for children.

Christmas Markets: November 30 until December 23, 2008

Overnight in Munich: same hotel

 

Day 3: Munich.
Excursions to Oberammergau, Wies & Neuschwanstein Castle

After breakfast drive from Munich through peaceful and beautiful countryside to Oberammergau famous for the Passion Play which is held every 10 years.
Next event will be in 2010. Then continue along the Alpine Road to Wieskirch, a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo, before arriving at the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein, perched on a spectacular Alpine mountainside.

This was King Ludwig II’s favorite castle, though he spent little time here before his death. Horse drawn carriages take you up to visit lavishly decorated apartments which include  the Throne Room and Lohengrin Grotto.

Back in the city of Munich, have dinner at one of the many traditional  “Bier-Kellers” and enjoy typical  Bavarian entertainment.

Overnight in Munich: same hotel

 

Day 4: Munich - Nuremberg

After breakfast, drive north across the River Danube to Nuremberg, a city rich in early German history and medieval architecture. Upon arrival check in at your hotel and relax.

Later on enjoy a private guided sightseeing tour which will show you the Old Town which was carefully rebuilt after wartime destruction. Nuremberg is not only well-known for its unique blend of stone, timbered houses and the massive ramparts with its 46 towers, but also for its Christmas market.  

The Christmas Angel opens Nuremberg’s ever-popular Christkindlmarkt on Hauptmarkt square. Enjoy the medieval atmosphere and delicious aromas of gingerbread (Lebkuchen), bratwurst, roasted almonds and glühwein. Everyone's eyes light up at the sight of so many Christmas decorations and gifts. The children's market has a traditional carousel, ferris wheel and steam train. Between the two markets is the Nativity trail, taking visitors on a tour of the city's many Nativity scenes.

Duration: November 30 until December 23, 2008
Hotel:
Le Meridien Grand Hotel

 

Day 5: Nuremberg - Dresden

After breakfast continue your drive to the historic city of Dresden. Upon arrival in Dresden, check-in at your hotel and relax.

In the evening visit the well-known Christmas Market called Striezelmarkt, one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets, which has the tallest Christmas pyramid in the world. Established in 1434, its name comes from Hefestriezel, renowned as the original Dresden Christstollen. Every year on the 3rd Saturday before Christmas a Stollen festival and grand festival parade are held in its honor. Traditional hand-crafted goods from Dresden and the surrounding region include pyramids, incense burners, decorative arches, pottery and hanging stars.

Duration: November 30 until December 23,2008
Hotel:
Hotel Westin Bellevue

 

Day 6: Dresden Sightseeing

After breakfast enjoy a private guided sightseeing tour of historic Dresden, also called ‘The Florence of the Elbe’.

Highlights are a visit to the Frauenkirche, which has been rebuilt after its massive destruction during WWII, ‘The Procession of the Dukes’ a mosaic of colossal proportions on the Royal Palace façade, the Cathedral, Semper Opera House and the impressive baroque Zwinger Palace.
Evening is at your leisure.

Overnight in Dresden.

Hotel:
Westin Bellevue Hotel

 

Day 7: Dresden – Meissen – Leipzig

After breakfast continue your drive to the city of Meissen world-famous for its fine Meissen porcelain factory. Stop in Meissen and visit the impressive factory especially at Christmas time.
Later on continue to Leipzig. Upon arrival in Leipzig check-in at your hotel and relax.

In the evening you may stroll around the Christmas market of Leipzig: The focal point of Leipzig’s traditional Christmas market is the beautiful old market square in front of the Old Town Hall. In addition to over 200 booths, other highlights include the biggest Advent calendar in the world (857 square meter), a fairytale forest with recreations of well-known stories, City on Ice, a 500 square meter ice rink on Augustusplatz and the Old Town Hall trumpeters.

Duration: November30 - December 23, 2008

Hotels:
Maritim Halle/Saale

 

Day 8: Leipzig - Weimar - Erfurt

Today after your private guided city tour of Leipzig, drive to  Erfurt via Weimar.
After breakfast check out from your hotel and enjoy a private guided sightseeing tour of Leipzig introducing you to all major highlights of this historic city. The vibrant city of Leipzig is known for its music and international trade fair the ‘Leipziger Messe’. Here visit the tomb of composer Johann Sebastian Bach in the famous Thomas Church.

On your way to Erfurt, stop in yet another historic city – Weimar, one of Germanys greatest cultural treasures. Poets like Schiller and Goethe, musicians like Liszt and Richard Strauss, writers like Nietzsche and Gropius have lived and worked here. "Here, you feel as grand and free as the wondrous nature before your eyes" - Goethe's words still ring true today and are a perfect description of what awaits visitors in and around Weimar.

With beautiful scenery including seven country parks and numerous historical gardens - many of which are included on the UNESCO World Heritage list,
the National Goethe Museum is the most important monument to the classical period. But the town has plenty more museums to visit – more than 40, in fact! They include the Bauhaus Museum, the Museum of Prehistory and Early History, and even the German Bee Museum!
The magnificent Town Castle, the exquisite summer residence in Belvedere, or Tiefurt Palace, altogether a much simpler affair: the dukes had some beautiful summer residences built in and around Weimar – every one a gem.

The atmospheric setting for Weimar’s Christmas market is provided by the festively illuminated old quarter with its many Goethe associations and the German National Theatre on Theaterplatz. The town hall is transformed into an enormous Advent calendar, with Father Christmas helping children open a new window every day. The market has many booth selling Thuringian craftwork and carved items from the ‘Erzgebirge’ mountains.

Continue your way to Erfurt.

When Christmas carols ring out, the air is filled with the aroma of ‘glühwein’  and gingerbread (Lebkuchen), and the shops and department stores have put up their Christmas decorations, then it's time for Erfurt's Christmas market. Cathedral Square is lit up by a 25-metre Christmas tree. Right in the middle is the nativity scene with 14 hand-carved, almost life-size wooden figures and the fairytale forest. Let the Father Christmas and Christmas angels whisk you off into the beautiful, historical old quarter.
Check-in at your hotel and relax.

Duration: November 30 - December 23, 2008

Overnight in Erfurt hotel:
Mercure Grand Hotel am Dom

 

Day 9: Erfurt Sightseeing

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and  enjoy a private guided sightseeing tour of historic Erfurt.
Its medieval heart is one of the best-preserved anywhere in Germany. Even today, Erfurt's wealthy past is reflected in its lovingly restored Renaissance buildings, half-timbered houses, churches, abbeys and the remarkable Merchants' Bridge (Krämerbrücke) the longest bridge in Europe to have houses along its entire length.

Later on continue your drive to Berlin – the capital of Germany. Upon arrival in Berlin check-in at your hotel.

In the evening you may stroll around famous Kurfuerstendamm where all shops are festively decorated in the Christmas spirit.

Overnight in Berlin.
Savoy Berlin

 

Day 10: Berlin

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided sightseeing tour of Berlin. Highlights of this tour are Unter den Linden, the Humboldt University, the Opera, a visit to the outstanding Museum Island an excellent collection of fine art.

Afterwards pass through the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of reunification and visit the glass-domed ‘ Reichstag Building’ followed by a drive through the Tiergarten, being Berlin's largest park and a haven of nature and a recreational amenity for the Berliners. Every summer it is transformed into a giant barbecue party. It is also well-known as the venue for the Love Parade. At the centre of the park is the "Great Star" roundabout and the towering Victory Column, one of Berlin's famous landmarks. Within Tiergarten is Schloss Bellevue, the official residence of the President of Germany.

As you travel through various parts of Berlin you will discover the many different Christmas markets this bustling city has to offer.

Overnight in Berlin: same hotel

 

Day 11: Berlin Sightseeing on your own

After breakfast, you may choose between other tours to see some more highlights of the city of Berlin or you may explore the city on your own.

Suggestions:

Kaufhaus des Westens on Wittenberg Platz
The largest department store in continental Europe, the KaDeWe, offers a huge variety of international designer labels. It has everything the heart desires, from jewelry and porcelain to ladies' and men's fashions. No visit would be complete without a trip to the legendary food hall on the sixth floor.

Potsdamer Platz
A new shopping centre has been created right at the new centre of Berlin, on Potsdamer Platz. In a modern architectural setting, the three-storey mall boasts fashions, designer accessories, shoes and much, much more.

Kurfürstendamm and Friedrichstrasse
Kurfürstendamm (also known as Ku’damm) runs from the Memorial Church to Lake Halensee, which marks the beginning of the exclusive "villa district" in the west of Berlin.

The top end of Ku'damm is packed with department stores and fashion boutiques, and is a shopping paradise for young and old alike. From Adenauerplatz the stores become more exclusive: designer names from Jil Sander to Yves St. Laurent in elegant fin de siècle buildings.

Friedrichstrasse links the glory days of the Roaring Twenties with modern architecture. With its new buildings, smart offices and coffee shops, it brings a flavor of New York to the heart of Berlin.

Checkpoint Charlie
Established in 1962 next to the legendary Checkpoint Charlie border crossing, the "Haus am Checkpoint Charlie" Museum is an exhibition on the history of the Berlin Wall and the partition of the city.
It contains original items used in underground, over ground and even airborne attempts to flee East Germany. There are also exhibitions on Berlin's history and on the international non-violent fight for human rights.

In the evening have dinner at one of the many typical Berlin restaurants and enjoy some of Berlin’s famous nightlife.

Overnight in Berlin: same hotel

 

Day 12: Berlin

After breakfast check out of your hotel and return your rental car before leaving Berlin on your return flight.

Optional: You may extend your stay in Germany