Day 1
Berlin
This historical tour of Berlin shows different periods of this city.
The Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s signature attraction. Built in 1791, it was just one of many old city gates around the city of Berlin. The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most stunning squares in the city, located close to Friedrichstraße, Berlin’s exclusive shopping street in the central Mitte district. Three of the most impressive examples of architecture in the capital city can be found there: the Concert House and the German and French Cathedrals. The Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) with its magnificent dome is a remarkable example the of late 19th century architecture. Near the Cathedral is the Museum Island (UNESCO World Heritage Sites).
The magnificent Charlottenburg Palace is located just out of the centre of the city. The beautiful palace hosts fine collections of china and paintings and is situated in the middle of a picturesque palace garden right next to the river Spree.
Places reminiscent of the times of Nazism: the Nazi government district, former Jewish district, and the area covering memorials to the Nazi’s victims, Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Hitler’s Wehrmacht HQ.
Berlin during the Cold War: the communist style architecture, The Berlin Wall, The Checkpoint Charlie, Russian Embassy, The Berlin Television Tower, stand outs of the skyline at 368m, making it the tallest building in Berlin. Built in the 1960s, visitors to the tower can enjoy a unique 360° panorama of the city, Sight of old Communist Parliament, Alexanderplatz, The Berlin Wall Memorial is located between the districts of Wedding and Mitte on Bernauer Straße, consisting of the Memorial to the Victims of the Wall, a Documentation Centre and the Chapel of Reconciliation. The surviving section of the wall and watchtower enable visitors to get a real feel for the reality of the border facilities.
The city is also known from alternative culture, with graffiti adorned streets around every corner and world-class techno clubs.
Day 2
Dresden
Today a powerful symbol of German revival and reconstruction. Dresden is most famous for its Baroque architecture, was so heavily bombed during WWII that almost nothing remained of the baroque city. After the war, huge restoration projects took shape and now visitors can walk through the city without ever knowing that in the past it was destroyed. The Old Town with the famous Brühl’s Terrace offering a spectacular view over the Elbe river. The Semper Opera, The Royal Palace, Theather Square and the world famous Zwinger Palace are the greatest buildings of the Baroque in Germany. The special architecture of the Zwinger between Baroque and Rococo makes it an outstanding object of the art history. One of the world`s longest mural paintings – portraying Saxon rulers from the 11th till 19th century. The Church of our Lady (Frauenkirche), a powerful symbol of German determination to reconstruct the material legacy lost during the World War II.
Dresden New Town is the alternative contrast to the baroque firytale of the Old Town. Along The Elbe River the palaces continue, crossing the river on the Augustusbrucke can be is visible a statue of a man on a horse. This is Augustus the Strong, the Elector of Saxony. The Outer New Town of Dresden which is situated on the right bank of the Elbe and which is one of the most interesting districts in the city showing the coldness of the Communist-era.
Day 3
Prague
A historical walk through Prague. The Republic Square with its beautiful Art-Nouveau Municipal House, the adjacent Powder Tower, a remnant of the medieval town fortification, The „Royal Route” to the Old Town Square (UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites), unique complex of old buildings dominated by the Old Town Hall with its Astronomical Clock and apostles.
The unforgettable view of the beautiful panorama of the Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral from the Charles Bridge. The Lesser Town Square with its representative buildings and the church of St.Nicholas, a historical building from the 18th century. The famous Nerudova street all the way to the Prague Castle. At the Castle, which is surrounded by royal gardens located are the Old Royal Palace with the Vladislav Hall, the with picturesque houses from the 16th century, St. Vitus Cathedral from the 14th century, and the ancient royal stairway. Evening performance at Krizikova Fountains (water, mysterious illuminations, all combined with music).
Day 4
Cesky Krumlov
In Southern Bohemia, on the Vltava river, you can enjoy the „Pearl of Renaissance” – Ćeský Krumlov. In this town, there is the second largest castle in Bohemia after the Prague Castle. Among other things, there is a gallery of Egon Schiele, a revolving theater from the baroque era and a castle garden.
Day 5
Krakow
The Royal Tract that leads from the medieval defensive walls with the unique stone and brick building called „The Barbican”, the Main Market Square (Rynek), St. Mary’s church with the medieval masterpiece of woodcarving – the 15th century main altar, the Cloth Hall with its decorative attic and intriguing mascarones, the University District with the most famous Collegium Maius where Copernicus studied in the 15th century. Walk up the Wawel Hill. The two predominant buildings are the Cathedral and the Royal Castle with chambers housing collection of Flemish tapestries woven in the 16th century. The former Jewish Quarter – Kazimierz. The vivid but also painful atmosphere is created by the spirit of the Old Synagogue, the Old Cemetery and Schindler’s List landmarks (the Ghetto Main Square, Pankiewicz’s Pharmacy, Schindler’s Factory of Enameled Pots and Pans). The day will end in Szeroka Street – the former main square of Jewish Town.
Day 6
Vilnius
The Lithuanian capital’s Old Town is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe. In 1994 Vilnius Old Town was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are 55 churches in Vilnius most of them in the centre.
Highlights: Vilnius Cathedral Square and the ensemble of the Cathedral, Gediminas’ Tower and Castle Hill, theVilnius University and the Presidential Palace, St. Anna gothic style Church, Jewish District Uzupis– which is considered as bohemian district of the city is one of the most interesting places in the town with many amber galleries, sculptures, artists.
Day 7
Warsaw
The Capital of Poland. The most important landmarks, owing to which Warsaw became a member of UNESCO. The fivewinged Royal Castle evokes memories of former majesty and royal function of the city. The interiors of the Castle house a fine collection of paintings and furniture. St. John’s Cathedral was completely destroyed during World War II, but thoroughly rebuilt. The „Royal Tract” leads to the Main Market Square, surrounded picturesquely by houses with richly decorated gables and façades.
The Grand Theatre, burghers’ mansions, the Piłsudski’s Square. The predominating element is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Belvedere Palace which used to be the seat of the President The Palace of Culture and Science to admire the night cityscape from the panoramic terrace situated on the 32nd floor, 114 metres above the ground. The Palace on the Water – the late 18th century summer residence of the last Polish king. The palace is located scenically in the English-style park with romantic and tranquil atmosphere. Surrounded by trees you can find Chopin’s statue there. It is one of Warsaw’s characteristics, the great pianist and composer is depicted as sitting under a Mazovian willow. Wilanów -this is a lush green part of Warsaw with the most recognizable landmark known as „Polish Versailles”. The palace is worth visiting mostly because of the rich collection of artistic artefacts gathered in the representative rooms such as the Great Crimson Chamber. The palace was owned by king Jan III Sobieski who is famous for defeating the Turks at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Enthusiasts of natural beauty will also be fully contented, as the spacious park shelters numerous examples of flowers, bushes and trees combined with little lakes.
