Wonders of Berlin & Dresden

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager and group to board the Eurostar service to Brussels. Travelling in comfortable Plus class, we enjoy a light meal at our seats before arriving in the Belgian capital, where we board a regional train to Berlin via Cologne.

Germany's capital city is world-renowned for its lively atmosphere and creative spirit, as well as its complex past, creating a truly unique destination. From landmark sights and acclaimed museums to a celebrated and diverse food scene, the city remains a global centre for culture, history and politics.

Arriving in the evening, we check in to our central hotel and enjoy a light dinner.

• Dinner

Waking in the German capital this morning, we enjoy a leisurely breakfast then head out on a sightseeing coach tour of the city with a local guide. The tour uncovers Berlin's fascinating history, which offers quite a contrast to the city's bustling atmosphere today.

Our first stops, near our hotel, show how much this city has changed in the past few decades. In 1961, at the height of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall was constructed to stop East Germans fleeing to the west. After visiting the infamous Checkpoint Charlie, we get our first view of the Wall. Our tour concludes at the Brandenburg Gate - a spectacular 18th-century neoclassical monument that is snow a symbol of unity.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy independently. For lunch, you might choose to sample a bratwurst or pretzel for an authentic taste of German cuisine. This evening, we enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant that has been serving traditional German cuisine since 1936.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today brings a highlight of the holiday - a unique visit to the Reichstag, the seat of Germany's parliament.

This impressive Neo-Renaissance building took considerable damage in World War Two and was redesigned in the 1990s, with the addition of an incredible glass dome that visitors can enter. We visit the dome today, where you are free to pick up a free audio-guide to learn about this impressive monument as you take in the panoramic views surrounding you. After time to explore independently, we reconvene for lunch together at the stunning rooftop restaurant, enjoying a seasonal menu while soaking in Berlin's skyline.

The rest of your afternoon and evening is free to explore this unique city at leisure. Perhaps head over to Museum Island, an island on the River Spree that is home to five renowned museums and galleries. You might also like to visit the East Side Gallery, a more than 4,000ft long surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall covered in murals. The longest open-air gallery in the world, it features iconic works of art memorialising the fall of the Berlin Wall.

• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, we take a coach to Colditz Castle for a guided tour. The castle's history goes back to the 11th-century, existing as a lookout post during the Middle Ages, one of the largest zoos in Europe in 1523, and a sanatorium for the wealthy in the 19th-century. It is most well-known, however, for its use as a high-security POW camp during World War Two. It was reserved for prisoners who were considered high-risk of escaping or particularly dangerous, due to its position on a rocky outcrop above the Zwickauer Mulde River.

On our tour, we hear stories of the castle's fascinating history and see points of interest such as the escape tunnels and the 16th-century Renaissance chapel. You can then spend some time investigating the hidden corners of the castle independently and enjoy your picnic lunch.

Boarding our coach, we continue to Dresden, our base for the next three nights. Arriving in the late afternoon, there is some time to get to know your new surroundings or unwind at the hotel before dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking in Dresden, we embark on a guided walking tour after breakfast. This city features a unique architectural makeup - most of the city was devasted during World War Two, so there is a blend of restored Renaissance, Baroque and modern design throughout.

On our tour we visit Dresden's most celebrated sites, starting in the Old Town which is known as the 'Florence on the Elbe' due to its stunning Baroque and Rococo architecture. We visit the Frauenkirche, destroyed in World War Two and lovingly restored in its original Baroque style, then explore the ornate architecture and gardens of the Zwinger Palace complex. We also see the Dresden Residence Castle, one of Germany's oldest Renaissance buildings, the beautiful Semperoper opera house and impressive Fürstenzug mural.

After our tour, your afternoon is free to continue exploring this charming city. For dinner, you have a variety of options, with a fantastic international dining scene and traditional restaurants serving Saxon delicacies.  

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we board a historic steamer paddleboat for a unique journey along the along the Elbe River. Cruising through the Saxon Wine Route, we soak up views of the lush Elbe Valley, passing quaint towns and rolling vineyards enroute to Meissen. On arrival, enjoy some free time to wander the medieval centre and find lunch independently.

After lunch, we head to the Meissen's world-famous porcelain factory for a guided tour. The first porcelain to be made outside of China was produced here in 1710 and it has been producing high-quality tableware, figurines and more ever since. Explore the museum's collection of Meissen porcelain pieces, spanning 300 years, including unique pieces created in collaboration with artists from around the world.

After our tour, we embark on the second special journey of the day - a ride on the narrow gauge, steam-hauled Radebeul-Radeburg railway to Radebeul, through the lush forest and tiered vineyards of the Lößnitzgrund valley. In Radebeul, we board our coach back to Dresden for dinner at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Departing Dresden this morning, we head to the station to board a First Class train to Frankfurt. Heading east through the landscapes of central Germany, the route passes through the rolling hills and dense woodlands of the Thuringia region, before the scenery turns more urban as we approach the financial capital.

Arriving in Frankfurt this afternoon, your afternoon is free to discover the city at your own pace. Despite being a largely modern city as a worldwide hub of commerce, the recently reconstructed Old Town offers traditional German charm, with half-timbered houses and medieval taverns. The Römerberg square has been the beating heart of the Old Town since the 15th-century, as the location of the town hall, and its Christmas market draws visitors from around the world. Alternatively, visit the Kleinmarkthalle indoor market to sample local specialities, or cross the bridge to the cobbled streets of the Sachsenhausen area to try Ebbelwoi, a popular traditional apple cider.

However you choose to spend your afternoon, return to the hotel this evening for a final three-course dinner together at our hotel's restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On this fascinating holiday, we've delved into the heart of Germany's rich history and vibrant culture during stays in Berlin and Dresden and visits to Colditz and Meissen. We discovered Berlin's captivating landmarks and the stunning Baroque structures of Dresden's Old Town, uncovered wartime stories at Colditz Castle, cruised along the Elbe onboard a historic steamer paddleboat and discovered the artistry behind Meissen's world-famous porcelain.

After a final breakfast this morning, we head to the train station and board a First Class regional service to Brussels. Here, we join the Eurostar in Plus class to London St Pancras, with a light meal served at our seats. On arrival in London, your holiday comes to a close and you are free to continue your journey home.

• Breakfast