Germany: The Grand Tour

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.

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.

Head to Potsdam to visit Sanssouci, the summer palace of Frederick the Great, an ornate Rococo style palace surrounded by lush gardens and a terraced vineyard.

Cooking class and dinner

Dresden is a world-class city of art and culture, and has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony. It is located in a valley on the River Elbe and offers award-winning modern buildings and the “Blue Wonder” bridge. Dresden was almost completely destroyed by the Allied bombings towards the end of World War II, but has undergone significant restoration work to reconstruct parts of the historic inner city.

Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), Dresden Castle visit

Alstadt, Handwerkerhof, Marktplatz, Schöner Brunnen

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.

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.

Bavarian Dancing Lesson

Christmas reigns year-round in Rothenburg, a gem of a town on Germany’s picturesque Romantic Road. In addition to its perpetual Christmas markets, the town features one of the most intact medieval city walls in Europe and a unique clock. During the Thirty Years’ War, a former Rothenburg mayor was given the chance to save the city by drinking nearly a gallon of wine. He succeeded (and then slept for three days straight), and his feat is reenacted seven times daily by mechanical figures on the clock in the Marktplatz—putting a fresh spin on the concept of a “cuckoo clock.” The grand Gothic St. Jacob’s Church looks on from across the square.

Step into a fairy-tale setting in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns. Follow your Tour Director through cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses and shops, then pause in the Marktplatz, the bustling central square. Admire the impressive Rathaus (Town Hall) with its Gothic and Renaissance wings, and the Fountain of Saint George, decorated with carvings of the dragon-slaying saint. With its city walls, towers, and storybook charm, Rothenburg offers a glimpse of medieval life that feels timeless.

Cruise along the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River, surrounded by rocky cliffs topped with picturesquely crumbling castles and covered by the country’s most famous vineyards.

Cologne Cathedral visit, Basilica of St. Ursula visit, Roman Ruins