Duration: 13 Days
Whether you’re fascinated by history, heritage, or both, this moving tour of Poland and Eastern Germany traces the steps of army officers, privates, and prisoners, but also of parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents through some of the most notable sites of World War II. From Warsaw to Munich, you’ll visit significant wartime cities, concentration camps, and memorials, hearing the touching stories of unwavering courage, resilience, and heroism along the way. The Oskar Schindler Factory made famous in the movie Schindler’s List, the courthouse of the Nuremberg Trials, and the former concentration camps of Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and Dachau, highlight the tragedies of the deadliest war in history. Visits to Dresden, Berlin, Weimar, and Nuremberg, get you up close to the beautiful cities once fiercely destroyed and painstakingly restored.
Traveller Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites!
Welcome to Warsaw!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Royal Ceremonies
WARSAW Guided sightseeing includes the Cathedral of St. John. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITIONS Explore the historic city of Warsaw where you'll visit the medieval old town and the impressive 14th-century Cathedral of St. John. The Cathedral has witnessed coronations of Polish kings, royal weddings, and funerals throughout Polish history. During World War II it suffered heavy damage as it was in the midst of the Warsaw uprising.
History Lessons
AUSCHWITZ/BIRKENAU Visit the former concentration camps. Drive to Krakow. (B,D) 249 mi / 400 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS A visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau is a sobering and moving experience; a chilling reminder of an era in human history we shall never forget. This opportunity to see the sites where so many lives were affected by the cruelty of the Third Reich during WWII is an unforgettable lesson in history and a cautionary tale for the future. In fact, the subject of the Holocaust is a mandatory part of German school curriculum, with almost all students having visited a camp or memorial.
Heroic Figures
KRAKOW Free time this morning before a [LF] guided walking tour of Kazimierz, the Old Jewish Quarter, and a visit to the Remuh Synagogue. Free time for lunch before [LF] visiting the Oskar Schindler Factory. (B)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
HISTORY & HERITAGE A wealth of history to be discovered in Krakow's Jewish Quarter. Hear the stories of the important role Kazimierz played throughout European history. Visit the Remuh Synagogue which dates back to the sixteenth century and is still active today.
Gothic Tales
KRAKOW Guided sightseeing includes sights of St. Mary's Church. See the former Gleiwitz radio station en route to Wroclaw.
WROCLAW Guided sightseeing includes Market Square. (B) 186 mi / 300 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM Explore the wonderful town of Wroclaw on the Oder River in western Poland. Browse the Market Square, lined with elegant townhouses and see the Gothic Old Town Hall and astronomical clock.
German Jewels
DRESDEN Guided walking tour features the Zwinger Palace Courtyard. [LF] Dinner with local specialties at Am Pulverturm restaurant. (B,D) 168 mi / 270 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM Explore the heart of Dresden with a walk to Zwinger Palace courtyard. Revered for its stunning Baroque architecture and beautiful gardens, this spectacular palace complex is the most famous building in Dresden.
Remembrance & Faith
TORGAU See the monument commemorating the meeting of US and Soviet forces and visit the Courtyard at Hartenfels Castle.
BERLIN Guided sightseeing includes the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and picture stops at Brandenburg Gate and Holocaust Memorial. (B) 155 mi / 250 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Hartenfels Castle is home to the first purpose-built Protestant church. This spiritual heart of the Lutheran Reformation was blessed by Martin Luther himself in 1544. See the courtyard of this architectural masterpiece in Torgau overlooking the Elbe River.
The Boulevards of Berlin
BERLIN Enjoy a free day. (B)
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Berlin is a city to be explored and enjoyed. See the street art of the East Side Gallery where a portion of the Berlin Wall now serves as a memorial of freedom painted by local artists. See the classic Cosmonaut mural in Mariannenstrasse or head to the Kreuzberg district for a leisurely stroll along Landwehr Canal.
Loss & Liberation
WEIMAR Take an orientation walk.
BUCHENWALD Join an afternoon visit to the former concentration camp before returning to Weimar. (B,D) 199 mi / 320 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Buchenwald was the largest Nazi concentration camp in Germany. During the war over 56.000people lost their lives whilst imprisoned here. After the war it was converted to a Soviet internment camp for German prisoners of war, of whom 7.000 died.
Recording History
NUREMBERG [LF] Visit the Memorium Nuremberg Trials and Courtroom 600 (if available) and the Zeppelin Field. Take an orientation walk this afternoon through the pedestrian area of the Old Town. [LF] Enjoy dinner with traditional Nurnberger Bratwurste (small sausages) at the Bratwurst Roslein restaurant. (B,D) 152 mi / 245 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT A target for allied bombings, Nuremberg was an important symbol to the Nazi regime having been the location of the party rallies. It was chosen by the Allies as the location of the Nurenberg Trials. Visit the Courthouse where you'll learn all about these historic trials.
Dark History & A Brighter Future
DACHAU Visit the site of the former concentration camp. MUNICH Orientation tour includes the Marienplatz. (B) 137 mi / 220 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Experience the geographical and cultural heart of Munich at its Marienplatz, the town square since 1158. Stroll through the home to historic buildings, including the Old and New Town Halls in the picturesque heart and soul of the city.
Auf Wiedersehen, Munich!
MUNICH Enjoy a free day in Munich before a farewell dinner this evening. (B,D)
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE If steins and suds are on your mind, then Munich is the place to sip and socialise at the city's bustling biergartens. Raise a glass to your fantastic European holiday and the new and wonderful friends you've made along the way. Prost!
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
