Christmas Trip through the East of Germany

Arrival and transfer to the hotel
Your driver will meet you at the airport in Berlin and escort you to your hotel.

Overnight in a hotel in Berlin

1st highlight: Berlin city tour
Berlin is multifaceted and unique. Its story cannot be called simple. After the Second World War, the city was separated in the East and West by the famous Berlin Wall. These 28 years had a huge impact on the development of the city and its culture. Today we can enjoy the atmosphere of the city, which combines the medieval architecture, American and Soviet cultures of the last century, as well as modernity and a great mixture of many cultures.
After breakfast, we start our city tour, which covers all the main attractions of this city: the Brandenburg Gate, the majestic Reichstag, as well as the Berlin Wall, a symbol of the Cold War and post-war Germany. Then we take a walk along the main street of the city "Unter den Linden" and visit the 19th-century Chocolate House (Ger. "Schokoladenhaus Fassbender & Rausch"). At the end of the tour we arrive at the Holocaust Memorial that consists of a 19,000 m² site covered with 2,711 concrete "stelae" and get to know the facts of the Second World War and its impacts on the developing this city in 20^th century.

2nd highlight: free time
In the afternoon, you can continue your excursion on your own by visiting museums or taking a walk along the modern streets of the city. You can also use our list with the most interesting attractions in Berlin in order to plan your free time.

Overnight in Berlin

1st highlight: excursion to Potsdam
Today we visit Potsdam, which is located just 1 h away from Berlin. It is one of Europe's main architectural gems and includes 17 magnificent palaces with beautiful parks and architecture masterpieces that are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will stroll through the summer residence "Sanssouci" or as it was previously called the "Prussian Versailles" of the King Frederick the Great. It is one of the most beautiful palace complexes in Europe, which includes a park with a Chinese tea house, an ornamental garden and vineyards.

2nd highlight: drive to Leipzig
In the afternoon we drive to to our next destination, Leipzig. You can organize your time on your own in the evening.

Overnight in Leipzig

Highlight: Leipzig city tour
We travel to the musical and very charming city Leipzig. Here we dip into the history of the city, listen to the story of Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang von Goethe and other famous personalities who once lived and created their works here. We will walk around the center of the city, visit the museum located in the old town hall with a rich collection of historical artifacts from the Middle Ages to the present times. For lunch we stop in the famous "Auerbachs Keller" restaurant, where the young Goethe in the 18th century was inspired to write his immortal work "Faust" and where the first meeting of his famed literary heroes Faust and Mephisto took place. At the end of our tour we go up on the Panorama Tower to enjoy the view across the city.

Overnight in Leipzig

1st highlight: visit to a traditional glass blowing workshop in Lauscha
Lauscha is considered the birthplace of Christmas tree decorations made of glass and is characterized as the center for glass blowing in Germany. In addition, the Lauscha Christmas tree decorations were added to the list of intangible cultural heritage. Experience the fascinating world of glassmakers, here you have the unique opportunity to be close to the creation of the traditional Christmas decorations and of course to acquire some of the treasures.

2nd highlight: Museum of Glass Art
The museum in Lauscha includes high-quality collections of the contemporary history of glass. During a guided tour, you can admire exhibits that range from the Middle Ages to modern times, from Christmas tree decorations to pompous vessels and special collections.

3rd highlight: free time
In the afternoon you can enjoy your free time in the glassblowing city on your own. We recommend to have a stroll to other Christmas glassware shops and enjoy the slate architecture.

Overnight in Lauscha

Highlight: Drive to Plauen and Winter Alpaca Hike
On the way to Seiffen, we pass Plauen and stay here for the day. Together with our alpacas we go on a winter hike through the Vogtland area for the next 3 h, where we will pass rivers, forests, meadows and a regional garden made of rocks.We will have time for a break for a short lunch and then hike on to the historic "Pfaffengut".

Before you continue towards Seiffen, you have two additional options to choose from.
Option 1: Plauen is known for its "Plauener Spitze" (Plauen lace). Historical machines and small embroidery machines demonstrate how lace is manufactured and elaborately processed.
Option 2: The Dragon Cave Syrau offers a spectacular cave panorama with a musical play of light, crystal clear lakes and mystical stalactite formations.

Overnight in Seiffen

1st highlight: visit to the workshop of the artisans
The toy village Seiffen is world-famous for its handicrafts from the Ore Mountains. Whether toys or decorative elements - in the demonstration workshop you can take a closer look at the various techniques for making the original wooden artifacts.

2nd highlight: Toy Museum of the Ore Mountains
Here you can see how the of teh Ore Mountains region toy is made, how it has changed over the years and how tire turning works. Whether carved, turned or tire-turned - the exhibitions show interesting exhibits that can only be experienced in Seiffen.

3rd highlight: Christmas market in Seiffen
Before we leave the Ore Mountains again, we want to spend the afternoon in a cozy Christmas atmosphere at the Christmas market. You can experience the typical handicrafts of the Ore Mountains one last time and take a few of the traditional Christmas products of the artisans with you as Christmas gifts.

Overnight in Dresden

1st highlight: Dresden city tour
Dresden is a city of amazing beauty, one of the most important cultural centers of art and a baroque pearl. The city was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War and then carefully rebuilt again. Despite its tragic past, Dresden is still filled with history and architecture and proudly bears the name "Florence on the Elbe". We visit the main attractions of Dresden that are concentrated in its historic heart. Among them are the baroque church "Frauenkirche" that is famous for its grand dome; the "Procession of Princes" (Ger. Fürstenzug), the largest porcelain artwork in the world that portrays a mounted procession of the rulers of Saxony and we discover a palatial complex form the 18th century called "Zwinger".
At the end of the tour we visit the world's most beautiful dairy store of 19th century decorated with neo-Renaissance tiles. On its upper floor you can relax in the cosy café and try the Saxonian potato soup, local pastries and Dresdener Eierschecke (tasty cake that is made of creamy stirred egg yolk).

2nd highlight: the Green Vault
After our city tour we are going to visit the "Green Vault", a pompous building which depicts a former residence palace. Its treasury contains around 3000 masterpieces of jewelery and goldsmithing. Here you can dive back into old times.

Overnight in Dresden

Highlight: free time
Today you get to stroll around the city on your own. We recommend you to enjoy your last day on this journey by visiting the famous Christmas Market "Striezelmarkt", the Semper Opera House, Zwinger or the Church of our Lady (Frauenkirche).

Overnight in Dresden

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in Berlin. Your return flight ends the tour.

See you on a new journey!

9 x overnight stays in 3 * hotels
9 x breakfast
1 x lunch
All transfers in an air-conditioned and comfortable vehicle
All described excursions & trips
Entrance tickets
English-speaking guide

International flight tickets
Meals & drinks not listed
Insurance
Tip
Visa