Itinerary
1. Day
Sunday
Upon your arrival in Leipzig, you will be greeted by your local guide. Begin with a tour of this culturally rich city: St. Thomas' Church where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as choir master and music director and greatly influenced the music of the day; the "Völkerschlachtdenkmal" (Monument to the Battle of the Nations), the largest monument of its kind in Europe and one of Leipzig's most important landmarks; the "Alte Rathaus" (old city hall), one of the most impressive examples of the Renaissance style in the city. Transfer to our hotel for three nights. (D)
2. Day
Monday
Today, our tour of Leipzig takes us to some of the most important locations of the peaceful „November Revolution." We begin at the "Augustusplatz" where in the autumn of 1989, numerous mass demonstrations took place. Walk along the "Leipziger Ring," the route taken by the demonstrators as they marched against the regime. We will then visit the Stasi Bunker Museum and the "Runde Ecke" Memorial Museum - the former district headquarters of the GDR secret service or "Stasi." And finally we will visit St. Nicholas Church, one of Leipzig's oldest churches and starting point of the peaceful revolution. Here you will have the opportunity to speak with someone who was directly involved with the revolution of 1989, who will talk about the days leading up to the fall of the wall, the peace prayers and how society has changed since reunification. Afterward, you may take part in the Monday peace-prayer service. (BD)
3. Day
Tuesday
After breakfast, we will leave Leipzig and head for Berlin, unified Germany's capital city since 1990. Upon arrival, we will walk along the "East Side Gallery." Spanning a length of just over 1km, it is the longest continuous section of the Berlin Wall that is still standing. Over 100 paintings by artists from all over the world adorn this memorial for freedom making it the largest open-air gallery in the world. After this inspiring experience, we continue on to the infamous "Checkpoint Charlie." Located at Friedrichstrasse, this was the sole crossing point between East and West Berlin for all members of the Allied forces, foreigners and officials of the GDR from 1961 to 1990. Today, this crossing point is marked by a replica of the original guard house and a sign that once marked the border crossing. We will then visit the nearby museum for the full history of the Berlin Wall. Afterward we will transfer to out hotel for three nights. (BD)
4. Day
Wednesday
We will visit „Potsdamer Platz," which during the 1920's and 30's was one of the most heavily trafficked squares in all of Europe. Located at the intersection of the American, British and Soviet sectors, Potsdam Square was halved by the Berlin Wall in 1961. Neglected for years following WWII, Potsdamer Platz experienced a renaissance soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall. A short walk away, we come to the "Pariser Platz" with its majestic main gate the "Brandenburger Tor." After the construction of the Berlin Wall, it became a symbol of the divided Germanys being located directly next to the wall inside the "death zone." Nearby is the newly erected "Holocaust Memorial," a memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. After a brief visit, we will continue on to Bernauer Strasse, location of the Berlin Wall Memorial Center. Situated at the border between East and West, it was here in 1961 along this street that the houses were bricked up and the wall was erected. It was also at this stretch of wall where many dramatic escape attempts were documented. Hear first hand from a Memorial representative how the lives of those living in Bernauer Straße were affected by the construction of the Berlin Wall. (BD)
5. Day
Thursday
This morning we begin our day with a city tour of unified Berlin with the Reichstag (Parliament), the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the refurbished city center and Gendarmenmarkt, Alexanderplatz, the famous boulevard "Unter den Linden," the Berlin Cathedral and the Hof- and Domkirche of the Hohenzollern dynasty. In the afternoon you will have time at leisure or the opportunity to visit the DDR Museum to find out more about life under socialism or visit the world-famous Pergamon Museum with its many treasures including the Ishtar Gate and the Market Gate of Miletus. (BD)
6. Day
Friday
Today we drive to Potsdam passing the Glienecker Bridge or "Bridge of Spies." It was here that the U.S. and the Soviet Union exchanged captured spies during the Cold War. In Potsdam meander through the quaint streets of the "Holländisches Viertel" (Dutch Quarter) or the Russian colony "Alexandrowka" and experience a time long past. We then continue on to Sanssouci Palace, the summer residence of the Prussian Kings often referred to as the Prussian "Versailles." Spend time walking through the magnificent gardens or visit the palace. (BD)
7. Day
Saturday
Today our trip comes to an end. Transfer to Berlin Airport, check-in and flight home.
Program changes possible for logistical reasons.