Join Christoph on an unforgettable 11-night journey through his motherland — East Germany! Discover a side of Germany you haven’t seen before as you explore the rich history, culture, and charm of Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, and Potsdam. Savor hearty regional specialties — from traditional meats, cheeses, and breads to refreshing local beers in lively beer gardens. Learn to dance the elegant English Waltz with instruction from Christoph’s own sister at her dance school. Visit the world-famous Meissen porcelain factory, and meet friendly locals who’ll share their stories along your city tours. Relax and take in the scenic countryside between cities, visit Frederick the Great’s summer palace in Potsdam, and dine in the very restaurant once frequented by Goethe and Bach. Cruise the River Spree for a new perspective of Berlin, sail on a historic paddle steamer along the Elbe River in Dresden, and toast to new memories during a farewell dinner cruise on Potsdam’s River Havel. ...And remember — not everyone in Germany wears lederhosen!
April 26-May 7, 2027 | 12 Days / 11 Nights program
Itinerary
April 26 | US to Germany
Today you board your overnight flight to Germany.
April 27| Berlin| Panoramic City tour
Upon arrival at Berlin Airport, you’ll be greeted by your Universal Travel representative and assisted with your transfer to the hotel. This evening, meet your fellow travelers and kick off your East Germany adventure with a welcome dinner at Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt, where you’ll enjoy authentic German cuisine, local beer, and wine in a lively atmosphere. Prost to the start of your journey!
Overnight: Berlin (D)
April 28 | GDR Museum | Berlin Wall | Spree River Cruise
After breakfast, depart for a full-day exploration of Germany’s vibrant capital. Begin at the historic Checkpoint Charlie, once the most famous crossing point between East and West Berlin. Continue with a panoramic city tour featuring Museum Island, the Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels Forum, and the bustling Alexanderplatz before enjoying a guided visit to the GDR Museum, where interactive exhibits bring everyday life behind the Berlin Wall to life. Your journey continues past key landmarks including the Victory Column, Potsdamer Platz, the Reichstag Building, the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the Topography of Terror, and the deeply moving Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. After some free time for lunch, visit the East Side Gallery, where colorful murals stretch along a preserved section of the Berlin Wall. Later this afternoon, unwind with a 1-hour narrated cruise on the River Spree, gliding past sights such as Bellevue Palace, the House of World Cultures, the Government Quarter, the Reichstag, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, the Nikolai Quarter, and the Humboldt Forum. Return to your hotel this evening, enriched by a full day of history, culture, and discovery
Overnight: Berlin (B)
April 29 | a free day in Berlin
Today Today is yours to explore Berlin! If you’d like to see even more of Germany’s vibrant capital, why not join an optional Hop-On Hop-Off city tour? It’s a fun and flexible way to discover Berlin’s top sights at your own pace. Alternatively, spend the day indulging in some retail therapy at the legendary Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe) — with over 60,000 square meters of retail space, it’s the second-largest department store in Europe, just behind Harrods in London. From there, a short 10-minute stroll brings you to Kurfürstendamm (Ku’damm), Berlin’s most iconic shopping boulevard, lined with elegant boutiques, international brands, and inviting cafés — the perfect place to shop, stroll, and soak in the city’s lively atmosphere. Or, if you prefer art and culture, return to Museum Island and spend time exploring its world-class museums, each offering a fascinating glimpse into history, art, and archaeology.
Overnight: Berlin (B)
April 30 | Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp | Leipzig
This morning, board your private motorcoach and travel a short distance to the former Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, located just north of Berlin. Established in 1936, Sachsenhausen served as a model Nazi labor and detention camp where tens of thousands of political prisoners, Jews, and other persecuted groups endured forced labor, harsh conditions, and unimaginable suffering. On your guided tour, explore the camp’s exhibitions and memorial site, including the reconstructed barracks, the prison compound, and the poignant monuments dedicated to the victims. The tour provides a thoughtful and moving perspective on this chapter of German history, offering insight into both the atrocities committed and the resilience of those who suffered here. After your visit, continue your journey south to the vibrant university city of Leipzig, where you will stay for two nights. This evening, enjoy dinner at the renowned Auerbachs Keller. Like millions of guests before you, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe dined here, and the restaurant is famously mentioned in his classic work Faust. Step into the historic barrel cellar, preserved just as it was during Goethe’s time, and savor a truly unique dining experience steeped in literary and cultural history.
Overnight: Leipzig (B,D)
May 1 | Leipzig City tour | Dance lesson
This morning, after breakfast, enjoy a half-day sightseeing and walking tour of Leipzig, taking in the city’s historic landmarks and vibrant culture. Following the tour, you’ll have free time for lunch and shopping in Leipzig’s charming Old Town, brimming with boutiques, cafés, and local treasures. This afternoon, a special treat awaits: a hands-on Slow Waltz dance lesson led by Christoph’s sister, a professional ballroom dance champion. Sip sparkling wine as you learn elegant steps and graceful turns, creating a truly memorable experience. Afterward, return to your hotel, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax or continue exploring Leipzig at your own pace.
Overnight: Leipzig (B)
May 2 | Meissen Porcelain factory | Wine tasting | Dresden
This morning, travel to Meissen for a guided tour of the world-famous porcelain factory. Meissen porcelain was the first successfully produced true porcelain in Europe and set the standard for European porcelain design well into the 17th century. After a quick bite at the museum’s cafeteria, continue a short distance to a local winery in the town of Radebeul, situated between Dresden and Meissen, for a tour and tasting of Saxony’s finest wines. This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, before checking in to your Dresden hotel for a relaxing three-night stay, preparing for the next days of exploration in this beautiful city.
Overnight: Dresden (B,D)
May 3 | Dresden City walking tour
Start your morning with a walking tour of Dresden’s historic Old Town, taking in iconic landmarks such as the Frauenkirche, the Dresdner Zwinger, and the Stallhof. Enjoy admission to the New Green Vault, the Baroque treasury located inside the Royal Palace, one of Dresden’s oldest and most treasured buildings. After some free time for lunch, continue with a guided tour of the Semper Opera House, Germany’s most famous opera house, celebrated for its stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage. This evening, enjoy a memorable dinner at the Gunpowder Tower. Dine beneath its vaulted ceilings and savor a truly royal Saxon experience, immersing yourself in the flavors and history of the region.
Overnight: Dresden (B,D)
May 4 | Saxon Switzerland region | Elbe River Cruise
After breakfast, depart for the stunning Saxon Switzerland region. Your first stop is Königstein Fortress, one of Europe’s largest hilltop fortifications. Perched atop Mount Königstein, it offers breathtaking views over the Elbe River and surrounding landscape. Enjoy a guided tour of the fortress, learning about its fascinating history and strategic significance. Next, board one of the historic paddle steamers of the Saxon Steamship Company, home to the world’s largest and oldest fleet of paddle steamers. Relax during a 90-minute cruise through this picturesque region, with a boxed lunch included onboard, and take in the beauty of the river and its dramatic surroundings. In the afternoon, visit the Bastei, a collection of towering sandstone rock formations offering panoramic views of the Elbe River Valley and the surrounding mountains. Later, return to your hotel for an evening at leisure, reflecting on a day filled with history, scenery, and adventure.
Overnight: Dresden (B,L)
May 5 | Spree Forest | Potsdam
This morning, depart for the Spree Forest, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in southeastern Brandenburg. Famous for its unique landscape of forested wetlands and winding canals, the region offers a tranquil and scenic retreat. Enjoy a peaceful barge tour along the canals, followed by a visit to the Lehde Open-Air Museum, where costumed guides bring 19th-century rural life vividly to life. After lunch, continue your to Potsdam and check in for a two-night stay, ready to explore the historic city and its magnificent palaces.
Overnight: Potsdam (B,L)
May 6 | Potsdam City tour | New Palace | River Cruise
After breakfast, depart for a guided tour of Potsdam, exploring highlights such as the Glienicke “Spy” Bridge and the charming Dutch Quarter. Later, take a leisurely stroll through the Sanssouci Palace gardens, soaking in the beauty of this iconic landscape, followed by a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed New Palace. Built between 1763 and 1769 under King Frederick the Great, the New Palace is celebrated as the last great Prussian Baroque palace. This evening, enjoy a relaxing boat tour along the River Havel, complete with dinner, wine, and beer — a perfect way to toast the conclusion of your unforgettable East Germany adventure.
Overnight: Potsdam (B,D)
May 7 | Departure back home
This morning you will be transferred to the Berlin airport and board your flight home. The memories you made in East Germany will last forever! (B)
INCLUSIONS:
- Roundtrip airfare to Berlin
- 12-days luxury motor coach transportation while in Germany
- Local step-on guides in Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden & Potsdam
10-nights Accommodations in 4-star hotels
(3-nights in Berlin & Dresden, 2-nights in Leipzig & Potsdam)
- Daily breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners (including a glass of beer, wine, or soda with dinner)
- Panoramic Sightseeing in Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden & Potsdam
- Guided tour of GDR museum, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Porcelain factory, Dresden Opera House, Cecilienhof Palace, Sanssouci New Palais and Fortress Koenigstein
- Cruises as indicated on the Spree, Havel and Elbe Rivers
- Wine tasting at a winery
- Dance lesson incl. 1 glass of beer, wine, sparking wine, or soda
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
- Hotel taxes, meal taxes and gratuities
- Porterage of 1 bag per person (excludes airline baggage fees)
- All resort, service, and government fees
- Professional Tour Director, bilingual (English/German)
- All gratuities for drivers, guides, step-on guides
Payments
$1000.00 deposit due to confirm reservation
Final payment due Dec 15, 2026 (No penalties until Jan 8, 2027)
Cancellation
100% non-refundable Jan 9, 2027
An optional Travel Protection plan is available with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, see enclosed product flyer for more information.
A valid passport is required on this itinerary and must be valid for at least 6 month after returning back to the USA.