Highlights of Eastern Germany

Your exploration of eastern Germany will start with a 2-hour drive from Berlin to Dresden, a charming city with the nickname "Florence on the Elbe". Although once destroyed by war, Dresden was rebuilt to become one of the most charming cities in Central Europe thanks to its flourishing history, splendid culture and art, and numerous exquisite Baroque buildings. Upon arrival, you can take a panoramic visit inside the city to see the recently restored Dresden Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), the Semperoper (the famous Dresden Opera House), and the Zwinger Palace. The tour today will conclude with a relaxing stroll along the Elbe River.

This morning you will hop on a steamboat sailing along the Elbe River to the Pillnitz Castle in Chinese style. Embark and transfer into the vehicle toward southeast Saxon Switzerland, a hilly climbing area that is famous for its picturesque upland scenery. Visit the Bastei, one of the most important symbols of Saxon Switzerland. It is a rock formation rising about 200 meters above the Elbe River and offers an impressive view of this area combined with the Elbe River and the Bastei Bridge.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

Continue your exploration toward Weimar today. Make a stopover at Moritzburg Castle, which was a hunting lodge for Duke Moritz of Saxony between 1542 and 1546. Nestled on a symmetrical artificial island and surrounded by woodlands and lakes, it seems like the palace of a princess in the fairy-tale world. Another spot is Meissen, a town that is famous for the manufacture of porcelain. You will visit the city's historic center and learn about the history of porcelain making inside the Meissen Porcelain Factory. Overnight stay in Weimar, whose city center has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend a whole day explore the area around Weimar. The first stop will be Eisenach, home to the UNESCO-listed Wartburg. Originally built in the Middle Ages on a precipice of 41 meters overlooking the town of Eisenach, the castle was the home of St. Elisabeth of Hungary as well as the place where Martin Luther translated the New Testament of the Bible into German.

Afterward, continue to visit Erfurt, a small city that was lucky to survive the bombing of World War Ⅱ and retain its original medieval charm. A sightseeing tour here will show you various beautiful architecture such as St. Augustine's Monastery and the Krämerbrücke (Merchants' Bridge).

After breakfast in the hotel, proceed to Leipzig, once one of the major European centers of learning and culture. Here you will enjoy a sightseeing tour around the city to see its Renaissance-style ensemble of buildings from the sixteenth century, including the old city hall in the marketplace.

On arrival in Berlin, your exploration of eastern Germany comes to an end. Say goodbye to your tour driver-guide and go on your journey on your own.