Copenhagen, Berlin, and the Hanseatic Ports of Northern Germany

Traveling by private coach, guests will see the main sights of the Danish capital beginning with a drive down Hans Christian Andersen Boulevard, which runs past the Tivoli Gardens, a world famous amusement park. They will cross the picturesque canal and drive past Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament. As they pass the beautiful, historic Stock Exchange, your group will see Kongens Nytorv (King's New Square) with its Royal Theater. They then continue to Nyhavn, a street well known for the variety of its nightlife, and then see Amalienborg Palace, the Danish Royal Family's winter residence. The tour will then take them to one of the most famous sights in Copenhagen: the Little Mermaid statue, located in Copenhagen's lovely harbor. As part of the tour, guests will also see Rosenborg Castle, which was built in the Dutch-Renaissance style by the Danish King Christian IV as a summer residence.

After breakfast in the hotel, a local guide will meet your group in the lobby and accompany it to Tivoli Gardens, an iconic symbol of Denmark. This historic park served as one of Walt Disney's inspirations to create Disneyland. Inside the park, the guide will show your group many of Tivoli Gardens' best attractions. Afterward, the group members can continue exploring the park on their own and at their own pace. The remainder of the day is free, so guests can stay on at Tivoli Gardens. Alternatively, they could consider visiting one of Copenhagen's museums or check out the city's fantastic shopping scene. Before the guide finishes showing your group around Tivoli Gardens, guests can ask for more suggestions of what to see and do during their free time in Copenhagen.

Lubeck was the formal capital and "queen city" of the Hanseatic League. The entire Old Quarter is located on an island in the Trave River and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today's tour will commence after breakfast in the hotel. The tour will feature the Old Town gates, the Town Hall, and the many beautiful churches including Marienkirche, the world's tallest brick church. Other sights include the historic salt warehouses and the Medieval Hospital of the Holy Ghost. The tour will conclude by lunchtime, and your guide will be happy to share restaurant recommendations upon request.

The 1,200 year old city of Bremen, located on the Weser River, was a major trading port in the Hanseatic League. Today, it continues to be an important commercial and industrial hub. This morning will begin with a walking tour through Bremen's Old Town. Guests will walk along the moats of the former medieval city walls in Wallangen Park and through the bustling pedestrianized zones, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. The highlight of the tour will undoubtedly be Market Square, dominated by the "Weser Renaissance" facade of the UNESCO-listed Town Hall, and statute of Roland. Afterward, the tour continues along artistic Böttcherstraße, and the Schlachte riverside promenade, after which guests will have some free time to explore on their own.

This morning, a local guide will lead your group on a sightseeing tour of the historic city of Luneburg. The tour will take guests through the city's historic streets, showcasing its medieval architecture, gabled houses and the famed Lüneburg Town Hall. After the tour, the rest of the day is free and guests are free to explore the town on their own.

This walking tour of the Old Town begins at the picturesque riverside quarter and continues to the Town Hall, which is one of northern Germany's largest and most beautiful medieval town halls. Guests will also visit "Am Sande" Square, to see its magnificent brick gothic buildings. The tour continues with a visit to the German Salt Museum, where your group will learn how a nondescript mineral became a vital building block of life and was nicknamed "white gold." At the conclusion of your tour of Luneburg, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

This afternoon, your group will dive deep into the fascinating culture and history of one of the world's greatest metropolises. Rising from its ashes like the proverbial phoenix, Berlin today has reinvented itself from its troubled past and yet, retains the unique mementos that remind us of the Nazi-era and beyond. A tour of this city is at once thrilling and poignant, as guests will discover while they witness and learn about iconic sights such as the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of resilience and unity, and the Holocaust Memorial, reflecting on the past. Your group will navigate through Berlin's atmospheric neighborhoods, from the Nikolai Quarter with its charming shops and cafes, to Kreuzberg with its wall art and vintage shops. Guests will also visit the Museum Island and Berlin Cathedral, among other landmarks. Afterward, the guide will escort guests back to the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, your group will travel outside of Berlin by private coach to Potsdam, a baroque city surrounded by parks, for a guided tour of Sanssouci Park. There will be free time for lunch during the tour, after which guests will be transferred back to Berlin by private coach. Afterward, guests will have time to simply relax or explore the city on their own before reconvening for a farewell group dinner at a local restauran near the hotel.

This morning in Potsdam, your group will enjoy a guided tour of the spectacular Sanssouci Park. Wrapped around the Sanssouci Palace, constructed by Frederick the Great in the mid-18th century, this estate was meant to serve as the summer palace of the royal family. While more intimate and smaller in size, it is often compared to the French Palace of Versailles, and the interiors of the palace reflect this opulent style. With its ornate palaces, manicured gardens and picturesque pavilions, guests will be amazed at the incredible detail around each corner or bend in the path. They will learn about the history and significance of the palace and its gardens from their guide, before returning to Berlin.

After checking out of the hotel this morning, your group will travel by private coach to the airport for the return flight back home.