Berlin, Potsdam, Dresden and Saxon Switzerland

Day 1

Arrival in Berlin,
Stay at Hotel Adlon Kempinski 5*

Upon arrival at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, your private chauffeur will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of the German capital.

After checking in, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to stroll along the historic Unter den Linden boulevard towards the famous Brandenburg Gate.

For dinner, discover Berlin's diverse culinary scene, where traditional German cuisine meets innovative contemporary dining.

Overnight: Berlin

Day 2

Berlin's Historic Landmarks and the Brandenburg Gate

After breakfast, meet your private guide in the hotel lobby for a walking tour of Berlin's historic centre.

Start at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of German reunification, before continuing to the Reichstag building, home to the German parliament. Your guide will explain the building's history, including Sir Norman Foster's glass dome. If you would like to go inside the dome for views over the city, we can arrange advance access for you. Afterward, continue to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

Stroll along Unter den Linden to Bebelplatz, the site of the Nazi book burnings in 1933, before reaching Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its outstanding museums and architecture.

After lunch, enjoy the afternoon at leisure, perhaps visiting the Neues Museum to see the famous bust of Nefertiti, the Alte Nationalgalerie, or exploring Berlin's elegant shops and traditional cafés.

Overnight: Berlin

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Potsdam and the Palaces of Prussian Royalty

After breakfast, your private guide will collect you from your hotel for a journey to Potsdam, the former residence of Prussian kings and German emperors, renowned for its magnificent palaces and landscaped gardens.

Begin at Sanssouci Palace, the elegant Rococo summer residence of Frederick the Great. Explore its richly decorated interiors, then stroll through Sanssouci Park, with its terraced vineyards, fountains, and ornamental gardens.

After lunch, discover Potsdam's historic centre and picturesque Dutch Quarter, famous for its distinctive red-brick architecture. Continue to the impressive New Palace, where you can admire its grand architecture and surrounding grounds.

Return to Berlin in the late afternoon, with the evening free to explore at your leisure.

Overnight: Berlin

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

Berlin to Leipzig via Historic Wittenberg,
Stay at Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Handelshof 5*

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your private guide for the journey south to Leipzig, stopping in the historic town of Lutherstadt Wittenberg, birthplace of the Protestant Reformation.

Enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic centre, visiting the Castle Church, where Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. Continue to the Town Church of St. Mary and discover Wittenberg's important religious and cultural heritage.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, continue through the Saxony-Anhalt countryside to Leipzig. Check into your hotel in the historic centre, with the remainder of the afternoon free to explore the city's elegant shopping arcades, traditional cafés and historic streets at your leisure.

Overnight: Leipzig

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

Leipzig, Bach's Musical Heritage and Historic Squares

Following breakfast, your private guide will meet you at your hotel for a walking tour of Leipzig, renowned for its musical heritage and historic architecture.

Start at Market Square, home to the Renaissance Old Town Hall, then explore the elegant streets and shopping passages that reflect Leipzig's trading history. Continue to St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach served as cantor for over twenty-five years and where his tomb is located. Your guide will explain the city's remarkable musical traditions, including Bach's work with the renowned St. Thomas Boys Choir. If the choir is performing during your stay, we can check the schedule and arrange access. Visit St. Nicholas Church, closely associated with the peaceful 1989 demonstrations that helped bring down communist rule in East Germany.

After lunch, enjoy an independent tour of the Bach Museum or explore Leipzig's connections with Felix Mendelssohn and the Gewandhaus Orchestra. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, with the option to attend an evening classical concert, subject to availability.

Overnight: Leipzig

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Leipzig to Dresden via Meissen and the Saxon Wine Route, 
Stay at Hotel Suitess 5*

Today, you will leave Leipzig for Dresden, enjoying a stop in the historic town of Meissen and the terraced vineyards of the Elbe Valley before checking into your new hotel.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your private guide for the journey to Meissen, renowned for its medieval architecture and celebrated porcelain. Explore the picturesque Market Square, impressive Albrechtsburg Castle overlooking the River Elbe, and the Gothic Meissen Cathedral. Continue to the famous Meissen Porcelain Manufactory to discover the traditional craftsmanship behind Europe's first hard-paste porcelain.

Following your time in Meissen, drive along the Saxon Wine Route to Schloss Wackerbarth, a baroque palace estate set among historic terraced vineyards. Enjoy lunch paired with a private tasting of regional cool-climate wines, including rare local varieties like Goldriesling and Elbling. Later, continue to Dresden and check into your hotel, with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Dresden

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7

Dresden's Baroque Old Town and Royal Heritage

After breakfast, your private guide will meet you at your hotel for a walking tour of Dresden's historic centre, renowned for its magnificent Baroque architecture and royal heritage.

Begin at the Frauenkirche, beautifully reconstructed after the Second World War, before visiting the Procession of Princes, an impressive mural created from thousands of Meissen porcelain tiles.

Continue to the magnificent Zwinger Palace, exploring its ornate courtyards and gardens while discovering the legacy of Augustus the Strong. Admire the nearby Semper Opera House, one of Germany's most celebrated opera buildings.

After lunch, enjoy free time exploring the Royal Palace surroundings or strolling along Brühl's Terrace overlooking the River Elbe. Stop at a traditional café to sample Dresdner Eierschecke, the city's three-layer custard cake. In the evening, explore Dresden's dining scene, with options ranging from hearty Saxon Sauerbraten in historic vaulted cellars to contemporary Michelin-starred cuisine.

Overnight: Dresden

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8

Dresden's Art Collections and Royal Treasures

Following breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning exploring Dresden's remarkable artistic and cultural heritage at your own pace.

Begin at the Old Masters Picture Gallery within Zwinger Palace, home to masterpieces by Raphael, Rembrandt and Vermeer, including the celebrated Sistine Madonna. Continue to the Royal Palace to explore the Green Vault collections. Depending on your preference, we can arrange advance timed access to the Historic Green Vault's original Baroque mirrored rooms, or access to the New Green Vault.

After lunch, enjoy the afternoon at leisure, perhaps exploring the lively Neustadt district or visiting another museum independently.

In the evening, consider attending an opera or classical performance at the magnificent Semper Opera House.

Overnight: Dresden

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9

Saxon Switzerland National Park and the Bastei Bridge

After breakfast, your private guide will collect you from your hotel for a scenic journey into Saxon Switzerland National Park, renowned for its dramatic sandstone cliffs, forested valleys and spectacular views.

Begin at the famous Bastei Bridge, where a guided walk reveals breathtaking panoramas across the Elbe Valley and surrounding rock formations. Continue to Königstein Fortress, one of Europe's largest hilltop fortifications, and explore its historic buildings, defensive walls and panoramic terraces.

After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy scenic stops along the Elbe Valley before returning to Dresden in the late afternoon.

Celebrate your final evening with a farewell dinner. We can arrange reservations to suit your taste, whether you prefer a classic Saxon feast of braised Sauerbraten with potato dumplings in an authentic historic tavern, or a multi-course tasting menu at one of Dresden's top modern fine-dining restaurants.

Overnight: Dresden

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10

Departure

After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time before your private chauffeur transfers you to Dresden Airport (DRS) for your onward flight. Alternatively, a private transfer can be arranged to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) for your international departure.

As your journey comes to an end, reflect on the magnificent royal palaces, historic cities, cultural treasures and spectacular landscapes of eastern Germany, taking home unforgettable memories and perhaps a promise to return. We look forward to welcoming you on your next adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast