Berlin, Dresden & Prague
Explore three fascinating cities on this 11-day tour
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EnquireBerlin, Dresden & Prague
10 Days from $2,455per
person
person
You are viewing the 2020 itinerary
Itineraries and pricing may vary by departure year
Magnificent architecture, iconic monuments, and rejuvenated cities combine on vacation to Berlin, Dresden, and Prague. Visit 3 of the continent's most important and most beautiful destinations on this journey into history.
We meet at our exclusive Departure Office in St Pancras, before boarding the Eurostar to Brussels. Here we change trains and travel by high-speed rail to Cologne. The final leg of our journey takes us to Berlin, where we spend three nights at the 4-Star NH Berlin Kurfurstendamm Hotel.
Day 2 is our first full day in Germany's capital begins with a coach tour around the once divided German capital, admiring impressive Imperial buildings and introducing the sights of the former East Berlin. Following the tour, you have plenty of time to explore at your own pace and the opportunities are nearly endless.
Within easy reach is the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and Unter den Linden avenue, which leads past the State Opera House to the soaring TV tower and World Clock. Alternatively, perhaps stroll past the shops, bars and restaurants in the west of the city, or pay a visit to Checkpoint Charlie and the engrossing history of the Berlin Wall.
A morning coach tour past the Wannsee Lakes brings us to Potsdam, a former imperial city with some magnificent examples of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, whose entire center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. During the day we visit the inspirational Sanssouci Park. 'Sanssouci' means 'carefree' and the park was designed as a leisure retreat for Frederick the Great. The park is home to a number of beautiful royal buildings, including Sanssouci Palace and the magnificent New Palace, where we enjoy a guided tour.
After time to explore the park and its wonderful gardens, we return to Berlin. The following day, we leave Berlin for the journey by rail to Dresden, one of Germany's most beautiful cities, known as the 'Florence of the Elbe'. Here we spend three nights at the NH Collection Dresden Altmarkt. On arrival, a guided walking tour introduces the city's famous sights including the Baroque Zwinger Palace, the grand Semper Opera House, and the rebuilt and reconsecrated Church of Our Lady.
Today we embark on a vintage steam train ride through Saxony's countryside to visit the enchanting town of Mortizburg, home to Moritzburg Palace. Later in the afternoon, we take a coach excursion to Colditz for a tour of the iconic Castle, one of the most feared Second World War POW camps in Germany.
Bidding Dresden farewell, we travel by train through a picturesque region of dramatic crags, peaks and rocky gorges known as Saxon Switzerland. After traveling through the Bohemian countryside, we reach the Czech Republic and Prague, the 'City of 100 Spires'. The next day we enjoy a guided tour of the city, featuring the impervious and indomitable Hradčany District before enjoying a cruise on the Vltava. As we sail this famous river, we get a fantastic view of the city's buildings. Day 8 is at leisure for you to continue exploring under your own steam. Perhaps you'd like to visit the popular Prague Zoo?
Alternatively, you could see the Lesser Quarter, one of Prague's most historic quarters. Other options include the Petrin Tower, an observation tower offering tremendous views over the city, you may also like to return to the Castle District - the buildings here representing virtually every architectural style of the last millennium and are one of Prague's most famous draws. Whatever it is you wish to see, Prague is one of Europe's most popular and varied destinations.
Gourmet restaurants, cocktail bars and trendy cafés are easy to find. If you are looking for something more authentic, you can feast on pork and dumplings washed down with beer in a traditional pub.
Many of Prague's main sites are just a short journey away and trams and public transport are available throughout the city. Day passes may be purchased for the extensive tram, bus and metro network. You can take a leisurely stroll along the Vltava River, or possibly cruise gently through the city, the most relaxing way to see the sights.
Departing from Prague we travel by coach back into Germany heading for Nuremberg. Here we spend our final night at the Maritim Hotel, situated a short walk from the city's Old Town and close to the stunning Cathedral building. Tonight, we enjoy a farewell meal together at our hotel.
We journey back via Cologne to Brussels. In the Belgian capital we connect with the Eurostar to London.
For this tour, we recommend arriving to, and departing from, London Gatwick or London Heathrow airport (LGW or LHR). London Gatwick is approximately 30 miles from your start and end point, and London Heathrow is approximately 19 miles from your start and end point.
It is your responsibility to check and fulfil the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.
You may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.
An escorted experience and travel during your tour
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Not Included
This was our second vacation arranged via GRJ. Summing up: good pace, neither too hurried nor too drawn out.
Accommodation excellent although some meals were pretty much standard hotel fare. Good bunch of fellow travelers who got on well together (outside of your control, this point).
Instructions as conveyed by Tour Manager were clear, train services were prompt and usually pretty much on time. All were clean and easy to use but some trains presented problems for older travelers in terms of access to the coaches because of the relative heights of the platform and carriage steps.
All in all - very good.
We've just returned from a most wonderful vacation, Grand Imperial Cities, visiting Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Berlin. Everything about the vacation was perfect, as with our last trip with Great Rail Journeys.
The organisation was superb, the hotels were beautiful, and the first class rail travel throughout was a joy. And, my word, did we hit lucky with weather, with the temperature one day in Budapest being recorded at 36 degrees celsius. But two further factors ensured that our vacation would be unforgettable.
Firstly, our group of 34 passengers were such a lovely bunch of people; we all seemed to have so much in common and hit it off so well. Secondly, our grateful thanks go to our brilliant Tour Manager, Gavin, who not only looked after us so well, but was so helpful and knowledgeable about each place we stayed.
Thanks again to Great Rail Journeys. We look forward to our next vacation with you.
First and most importantly, I thoroughly enjoyed the vacation.
Admittedly, in my mid 70s, I began to get a little weary towards
the end, but that certainly did not reduce my enthusiasm for the
trip. Since you are inviting comments, here are a few.
Preparation and information: Could not ask for better.
The Tour Manager: Obviously very experienced, full of useful information and tips, and inspired confidence in his leadership.
The Trains: Here I have to confess that I have had a lifelong interest in transport. If our Tour Manager, David, mentioned that he had one character who spent much of his time riding the trams, then that was me.
Hotels: All the hotels were bigger and of a standard better than I had expected.
Summary: After two GRJ tours I find myself in a slight quandry. Some other companies run tours that look quite interesting, but I am put off by the thought that they will almost certainly fail to meet the standards you have set!
We really enjoyed our vacation going around most of Europe. The vacation was The Grand Imperial Cities and was well guided by our Tour Manager, Dave, who did a really good job keeping us informed of happenings and events, timetables, etc.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Grand Imperial Cities tour, conducted
by our Tour Manager, David, and we suggest two highlights.
In Vienna we attended a concert of Strauss and Mozart in the
theater by the park, together with singers and dancers. Two hours
of pure joy in the home town of the Waltz King.
In Berlin I went on a Segway tour of the city with a guide. It
took just ten minutes to get the hang of these upright scooters,
where you stand on a platform between the wheels and the
self-balancing gyros keep you upright. You lean slightly forward to
go forward and back to slow down and stop. Turning is simply by
moving the handlebars over to the left or right like a wheel. I was
soon confident enough to go down cycle paths and bus lanes. It's a
marvelous sense of freedom and I was whizzing up the Avenue of the
Lindens and around the Brandenburg Gate at 12 mph. Since they're
banned on roads and footpaths in England you can only really
experience them abroad. Do give them a try!
We decided to celebrate my 65th in style doing the Imperial Cities.
From previous trips, we could rely on good food, comfortable travel, making new friends, soaking up the knowledge of local guides and having a first class tour manager. We enjoyed Vienna, its culture and having a hotel close to the Schonbrunn Palace meant we enjoyed all it had to offer.
We were ideally situated in Budapest; we could explore both parts of the city easily and enjoyed an evening of traditional entertainment. We saw plenty of its faded grandeur as it slowly recovers from its communist past.
On to Prague, rich in culture and outdoor entertainment. A cruise on the Vltava, enjoying live music etc. We enjoyed reaching our hotel room via a cable car and the magnificent vista of Prague.
Another train to Berlin, much changed since my last visit in 1967 when border tensions were much in evidence. We took advantage of value public transport to visit Potsdam, site of the post-war agreement and the palace of Frederick the Great. While taking in architecture, museums and rich history, the fine weather enabled us to fully enjoy a relaxing cafe culture.
Explore three fascinating cities on this 11-day tour
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