Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Explore Germanic cultures with your students. Sightseeing with a local guide, Berlin shows the architectural sense of order- among the visits, the historic Brandenburg Gate. Discover Germany's history in Ich bin ein Berliner. Experience the rich traditions and culture by learning to dance like a local and visit Mozart's hometown of picturesque Salzburg.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Germany (Berlin)
Day 2
Arrive in Berlin
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Berlin city walk
Explore Alexanderplatz, known to locals as “Alex,” once a cattle market and now Berlin’s bustling central square. Gaze up at the iconic TV Tower, built by East Germany to symbolize socialist pride. Nearby, admire the ornate Neptune Fountain and the striking red-brick Rotes Rathaus, Berlin’s historic town hall.
Alexanderplatz scavenger hunt
Take interactive learning to another level with a Tour Director-led scavenger hunt of Alexanderplatz, Berlin's most famous public square! Enjoy an after-dinner adventure, complete exciting activities and solve fun clues. Each clue and every activity is built to maximize on-tour experiential learning.
Day 3
Berlin guided sightseeing tour
Join a licensed guide to explore Berlin’s most iconic sites. Visit the Brandenburg Gate, once trapped in Cold War “no man’s land” and now a symbol of unity, and step into its Room of Silence to reflect on Germany’s past. Follow the route of the Berlin Wall, marked with crosses and wreaths honoring those who lost their lives. At Checkpoint Charlie, see the museum’s powerful exhibits on daring escape attempts, then continue to Potsdamer Platz, a modern hub rebuilt from the once-divided city center.
LEAP
LEAP Ich bin ein Berliner
Step into the lives of those impacted by the Berlin Wall through a group activity that brings history to life. Recite personal accounts, reflect on their experiences, and discuss the lasting repercussions to gain a deeper, more personal understanding of Germany’s past.
Topography of Terror visit
The Topography of Terror in Berlin is a museum and historical site that documents the crimes of the Nazi regime, particularly those committed by the Gestapo, SS, and Reich Security Main Office. It features exhibitions, educational programs, and preserved remnants like a section of the Berlin Wall to provide a deeper understanding of this period.
Day 4
Potsdam excursion
Discover Potsdam, once Germany’s “Little Hollywood” and the showpiece city of Frederick the Great. Admire Baroque castles, marble fountains, and pavilions like the Chinesisches Teehaus with its golden Buddha figures. Enjoy a guided visit of the Neues Palais, including the Grotto and Theater, stroll the gardens of Sanssouci Palace, and explore the Russian Colony for a glimpse into Potsdam’s unique cultural heritage.
Traditional German cooking class with dinner
Day 5
Travel to Munich
Dachau Concentration Camp and Memorial visit
Dachau, the first of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps, became the model for thousands that followed. Now a memorial and museum, it honors the 206,000 prisoners held here from 1933 to 1945 and traces the rise of the Nazi party, pre-1930s anti-Semitism, and the lives of those imprisoned.
Day 6
Munich guided sightseeing tour
Join a licensed guide for a whirlwind look at Munich, from its medieval heart to modern landmarks. Stroll through Marienplatz to see the Neues Rathaus and its famous Glockenspiel, framed by the twin towers of the Frauenkirche. Visit the Residenz, then explore Olympiapark, built for the 1972 Games, and step into BMW Welt to experience innovation and sleek design.
Traditional Bavarian dance class
Discover the links between traditional dance and Bavarian history. Listen and learn Bavarian music while participating in ancient folklore storytelling. You'll also learn (and demonstrate) a variety of traditional dance steps taught by local experts.
Day 7
Optional
Hohenschwangau excursion
Visit the Bavarian village of Hohenschwangau and learn about Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood home of King Ludwig II, with views of Lake Alpsee and the surrounding Alps. Then enjoy a scenic hike toward Neuschwanstein Castle and pause at Queen Mary’s Bridge for an unforgettable photo stop of the fairytale fortress and mountain landscape.
LEAP
LEAP Debate the Great
Meet six influential figures from Germany’s history, then join a lively debate to argue their accomplishments and decide together who deserves the title of greatest German.
Day 8
Travel to Vienna via Salzburg
He is the pride of Vienna, and on your way there to learn more about the prodigal composer, stop in Salzburg to visit Mozart’s birthplace. Touring No. 9 Getreidegasse, get a glimpse of the violin he mastered as a boy. And as you walk the gardens of Mirabell Palace, “Do-Re-Mi” (from The Sound of Music) may come to mind as you soak up the ambiance of the famous movie scene.
Mozart’s birthplace visit
Feel the rhythm of Salzburg’s Old Town Square as you enter the unassuming yellow home at Getreidegasse 9, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Inside, view an impressive collection of the young composer’s first instruments and immerse yourself in the captivating story of his early life.
Day 9
Vienna guided sightseeing tour
Explore Vienna’s imperial past with a guided visit to the Hofburg, the historic seat of the Habsburgs. Continue to the elegant Belvedere Palace before viewing the famed Vienna Opera House. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of the city, then end your tour at Schönbrunn Palace, where young Mozart once performed for Marie Antoinette.
Optional
Mozart concert
Experience the best of classical music composed by Salzburg’s child prodigy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Get lost in the uplifting, complex melodies as you imagine the musical master crafting ingenious violin and piano concertos at the young age of 17. With spiritual undertones and carefree finales, this live concert is a cultural treat for the ears and spirit.
Day 10
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Germany
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.