BERLIN

Day 1 - 4

Berlin has gone through an impressive transformation in the 30+ years since the Wall came down. Each of the fascinating neighbourhoods has its own rich culture, while reminders of its harrowing past are omnipresent, whether you walk along remnants of the Wall, visit Checkpoint Charlie or the Holocaust memorial. Berlin has something for everyone, its offer ranging from fabulous parks, cafés, beer gardens to shopping centers and boutique shops offering designs of locals, to fancy restaurants and street-food as well as a colourful nightlife.

DRESDEN

Day 4 - 5

The city of Dresden, also called the ‘Florence on the Elbe’, is littered with silhouettes of spires, towers and domes of palaces, churches and grand buildings stemming from its 18th century reign. Well worth a visit are for example the ‘Zwinger’ palace and its large church called ‘Frauenkirche’. Most of the contents of these buildings were removed and the buildings around them restored after WWII. Dresden, however, also has a more modern side on the other bank of the river Elbe with many restaurants, shops and a colourful nightlife.

LEIPZIG

Day 5 - 7

Leipzig was described as ‘a little Paris’ by Goethe, and walking around you will indeed be reminded of Europe’s great capitals. The city is a center for the arts, with ties to the likes of Bach, Schubert, Goethe and Schiller and today is home to one of Germany's best classical bands (Gewandhausorchester) while the New Leipzig School is leading new art movements. Walking along its narrow streets you can find inviting cafés at every corner, many interesting sights, one of the most modern zoos, great shopping and a lively nightlife.

HAMBURG

Day 7 - 9

Historically Hamburg received the label ‘gateway to the world’ establishing its status as a center of international trade, which up to today makes it one of Germany’s wealthiest cities. It is also immensely rich in culture. You can find foods from any part of the world and lovely architecture. Music is a big part of the city, be it classical music played in the famous ‘Elbphilharmonie’ or more modern tunes during one of its many festivals. For the more adventurous a visit to the infamous Reeperbahn red-light district is a must.

DüSSELDORF

Day 9 - 10

Düsseldorf is a metropolis defined by its avant-garde architecture. Its successful industries like banking, advertising, fashion and telecommunications attract internationals and make it a multicultural city. Suffering great damage during WWII a lot of the city has been rebuilt meticulously according to its original form, preserving its medieval old town charm. You’ll find many restaurants and bars in this area. Its newer parts are also thriving, such as the rejuvenated ‘MedianHafen’, the hip ‘Flingern’ or the creative hub of ‘Unterbilk’.

COLOGNE

Day 10 - 12

Cologne was founded by the Romans in 38 BC and grew into a major trading center with its cathedral dominating the skyline. Although most of it had to be rebuilt after WWII, the city is charming and has many things to offer. On your walks you may stumble across Roman mosaics and remainders of ancient walls. There are museums for every taste, several zoos and breweries making the famous ‘Kölsch’ beer. If you happen to be here during the Carnival early in the year, be prepared to find the city in an all-day party for 6 days straight.

FRANKFURT

Day 12 - 14

Frankfurt, located on the river “Main” (pronounced ‘mine’), is a business hub. It is home to one of the world’s largest stock exchanges, the headquarters of the European Central Bank and the host of many important trade fairs hence attracting many business travellers. However, it also has many things to offer for a more leisurely visit. For example its old town with quaint medieval buildings, outdoor cafés, boutiques, parks, the option of a river cruise, as well as a wide variety of museums, nightlife and entertainment.

BADEN-BADEN

Day 14 - 15

Baden-Baden is world-renowned for its thermal baths: make sure to visit the Caracalla Therme and the Friedrichsbad. The town itself is full of colourful yet grand architecture and somehow combines the vibe of Germany, France and Greece in one. Even its Casino is set in a Belle Epoque ambiance. The city offers a good mix of relaxation and activity, being located in the Black Forest, with many opportunities for hiking and exploration. But also cultural enthusiasts will get their share, with many concerts, plays and museums available.

STUTTGART

Day 15 - 17

Like many others the city’s center was destroyed during WWII, and the few surviving buildings are now surrounded by modern architecture. Today Stuttgart is known internationally for fast and classy cars, with both Porsche and Mercedes being headquartered here. However, the city offers much more than that. You can find a good mix of restaurants serving regional dishes but also high-class meals. Various festivals take place throughout the year and the green spaces as well as natural springs in the area invite for a relaxing visit.

NUREMBERG

Day 17 - 19

Nuremberg played a large part in Germany’s WWII history, being the epitome for many Nazi activities, and rightly so later the stage of the war crimes tribunal known as the Nuremberg Trials. The largest part of the old town had to be rebuilt, thanks to which the old town with the Pegnitz River is still surrounded by the original medieval walls with its gateways and watchtowers. The city is further known for its Renaissance arts, for example the painter Albrecht Dürer. Today Nuremberg is often visited in winter for its famous Christmas market.

MUNICH

Day 19 - 22

Munich is located near the snow-capped Bavarian Alps and boasts beautiful nature all around as well as many green spaces and parks within the city. It is a modern metropolis, home to the world-renowned BMW cars, but also honours its traditions, the most well-known being the Oktoberfest, which is an ode to Munich’s many breweries. Those interested in sampling local dishes should head to the Victuals Market or any of the beer gardens, while for a more sophisticated experience several world-class museums await to be visited.