10 Days of Holiday Spirit in Germany's Best Christmas Markets

Early Morning/Morning

Tour of the Residence Palace

The Munich Residenz was the seat of Bavaria's Dukes and Kings from the middle ages until 1918. Originally a medieval castle, it was transformed over the centuries into a beautiful palace. Today it is open to the public and you can explore its magnificent interiors, numerous courtyards, and elegant garden. The living quarters of the royal family have been transformed into a museum which provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Kings and Queens. You can also peruse numerous jewels, gold objects, and other precious items which are held in the Residenz Schatzkammer (treasury).

Early Morning/Morning

Visit to Nymphenburg Palace

Only a short tram ride from Munich's city center, you'll find a lovely palace scenically situated amidst a large park. Created as the summer residence of the Bavarian electors, the size, and dimension of the grounds, designed by a student of the Palace of Versailles' landscape designer, is astounding. The main palace building consists of a large villa and two wings of creaking parquet floors and sumptuous period rooms. The palace managed to survive the carpet bombing of the Second World War that destroyed around 80% of the inner city.

Early Morning to Afternoon

Excursion to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Massive stone walls studded with 42 towers; half-timbered colorful houses with red-tiled roofs; cobblestone streets and flower-filled window boxes: this is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the most fairy-tale towns in all of Europe, and the most popular stop on Germany's famous "Romantic Road". This little slice of storybook heaven is one of the most photographed towns in Europe, with thousands of visitors from all over the world coming to experience its magical atmosphere. If traveling by train, it is located only a little more than an hour from Nuremberg, although you will need to make two connections on the journey.

Early Morning/Morning

Explore the Sebald Altstadt and Visit the Imperial Castle

With its abundance of half-timbered homes, Gothic churches, and a dramatic castle, Nuremberg was once an ideal representative of Germany’s architectural inheritance. While most of its Old Town was destroyed in World War II, much of it was rebuilt to reflect this pre-war appearance. The beauty and vibrancy of the historic city can still be easily imagined as you shop on the Market Square or explore the narrow lanes of the Old Town, which are lined by brightly painted and steeply gabled half-timbered burgher houses. The impressive castle overlooking the city is also a must see when visiting the Sebalder Altstadt.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walking Tour of Old Town

During this 2 hour tour you will discover the most impressive sights of Dresden Old Town, like the world famous Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera House, the Cathedral or the Royal Palace. Our guide will give you all the historic background. You will also have a chance to see the reconstructed Frauenkirche, a symbol of reconciliation and peace in the world, a real pride of inhabitants of Dresden.

Morning

Cross the River to Discover the "New Town"

Completely different to Altstadt in feel and ambiance, Neustadt on the right bank of the River Elbe is far less touristed and is the favorite stomping ground of Dresdener youth thanks to its proliferation of cheaper restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Neustadt means New Town, but its history stretches back centuries and it's only new in comparison to the Old Town on the opposite side of the river. Less damaged than the Altstadt in the firestorm bombing raid of February 1945, the riverbank is populated with exquisitely constructed palaces, administrative buildings, and museums, while Königstraße still hosts an array of 18th-century Baroque townhouses. The more modern Hauptstraße leads you to the fascinating DDR World Museum depicting life under the former communist regime. Strolling along the river and enjoying the parks and statuary along the banks is a great way to see the locals relaxing.

9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour

On this 3 hour tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Berlin and help you understand what makes this city so unique. Sites visited will include the boulevard Unter den Linden, the Gendarmenmarkt, Check Point Charlie, remnants of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, the Holocaust Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Reichstag.

Early Morning/Morning

Stroll the Kurfürstendamm in West Berlin

In the 1920's the elegant, tree-line boulevard known as the Kurfürstendamm was the center of Berlin's nightlife and leisure scene, attracting writers, film stars, and artists. WWII left it in ruins, and today at the end of the boulevard you'll discover a chilling reminder of that destruction: the purposefully unrecontructed remains of the Memorial Church. During the Cold War, the Kurfürstendamm and its surroundings were central to West Berlin's revitalized identity. This was perhaps best symbolized by the famous KaDeWe, the gigantic department store which served as a symbol of market capitalism lodged in the heart of the Iron Curtain.

To Be Determined

Transfer to Berlin Airport by Taxi or Train

The most affordable and fast way to reach Berlin Brandenburg airport is by train. The Airport Express train takes only 30 minutes and leaves directly from the main station in central Berlin (Berlin Hbf). Regional and S-Bahn trains also depart from other locations in Berlin. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so you may wish to take a taxi or Uber, although this is more expensive than the train and puts you at the mercy of traffic. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 3 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.