Medieval Germany, the Harz Mountains and Thuringia

Day 1

Arrival in Hanover
Stay at Kastens Hotel Luisenhof 5*

Upon arrival at Hanover Airport, your private chauffeur will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in the city centre.

After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Depending on your arrival time, take a gentle stroll through Hanover's historic Old Town, browse its elegant shopping streets or relax at one of the city's traditional cafés before dinner.

Overnight: Hanover

Day 2

Hanover's Royal Gardens and Historic Old Town

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided walking tour of Hanover's historic centre. Discover the charming streets surrounding the Marktkirche, admire the traditional buildings of the Old Town and continue towards the magnificent New Town Hall, where its unusual curved lift offers panoramic city views when operating.

Following lunch, continue to Herrenhausen Gardens, one of Europe's finest Baroque garden ensembles. Explore the magnificent Great Garden, where formal avenues, ornamental fountains and elaborate sculptures reflect the royal ambitions of Hanover's former rulers.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon, with the evening free to discover the city's excellent restaurants or enjoy a relaxing dinner at your hotel.

Overnight:  Hanover

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Celle, Goslar and the Imperial Palace
Stay at A-ROSA Gothisches Haus Wernigerode 4*

Today, your journey takes you from Hanover into the beautiful Harz Mountains, with visits to Celle and Goslar before continuing to your next hotel in Wernigerode. Your first stop is Celle, renowned for its colourful half-timbered houses and beautifully preserved medieval streets. Enjoy a private guided walk through the historic centre, admiring the traditional architecture, picturesque Kalandgasse and the exterior of Celle Palace.

Continue to UNESCO-listed Goslar, where you will enjoy lunch before exploring the medieval market square and visiting the Imperial Palace (Kaiserpfalz), an impressive 11th-century residence of the Holy Roman Emperors. Alternatively, visit the historic Rammelsberg Mine for a guided underground tour revealing centuries of mining history. This experience requires advance arrangements.

Later, journey through the scenic Harz countryside to Wernigerode, check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Wernigerode

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

Historic Steam Railway and the Brocken Mountain

After breakfast, enjoy a memorable journey aboard the historic Brocken Railway, travelling by traditional steam train through the forests and scenic valleys of the Harz Mountains towards the summit of the Brocken.

At 1,141 metres, the Brocken is the highest mountain in northern Germany. Enjoy time at the summit, exploring its fascinating folklore and connections to Goethe and Cold War history, while admiring panoramic views, weather permitting.

After lunch, take the steam train down and return to Wernigerode. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, exploring the town's colourful half-timbered streets, charming shops and traditional cafés. Alternatively, visit Wernigerode Castle, perched above the town and offering beautiful views of the surrounding Harz Mountains.

Overnight:  Wernigerode

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

Quedlinburg and the Spectacular Titan RT Bridge

After breakfast, travel with your guide to Quedlinburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval towns. Enjoy a private guided walking tour through its UNESCO-listed historic centre, discovering remarkable timber-framed houses, narrow cobbled streets and the magnificent Collegiate Church of St. Servatius overlooking the town.

Following lunch, continue into the Harz Mountains towards the impressive Rappbode Dam. For a memorable adventure, walk across the Titan RT suspension bridge, suspended high above a dramatic forested valley, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and reservoir. Alternatively, admire the scenery from the viewpoints or visit the Solitair Observation Tower for panoramic views of the dam, bridge and surrounding landscape.

Return to Wernigerode in the late afternoon, with the evening free to relax or explore the old town.

Overnight: Wernigerode

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Through the Harz to Eisenach
Stay at Vienna House by Wyndham Thüringer Hof Eisenach 4*

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel through the scenic Harz countryside towards Eisenach, visiting Stolberg and Nordhausen along the way. Your first stop is Stolberg, a picturesque medieval town surrounded by wooded hills, where you will enjoy a private guided walk through its cobbled streets and colourful half-timbered houses. Continue to Stolberg Castle, overlooking the town, to discover its fascinating history and admire the views across the surrounding countryside.

Following lunch, continue to Nordhausen for a visit to the Echter Nordhäuser Traditional Distillery, housed in a restored Art Nouveau building. Explore the historic production rooms, learn about centuries-old distilling traditions and enjoy a tasting of regional spirits.

Later, continue to Eisenach, check into your hotel and spend the evening exploring the historic centre and its traditional restaurants.

Overnight: Eisenach

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7

Wartburg Castle and the Dragon Gorge

After breakfast, visit the magnificent Wartburg Castle, dramatically positioned above Eisenach. Explore its remarkable medieval interiors and discover its connections with Saint Elizabeth, German royalty and Martin Luther, who translated the New Testament into German while staying at the castle.

Following lunch, continue into the beautiful Thuringian Forest for a memorable walk through the Drachenschlucht, or Dragon Gorge. Follow narrow pathways between towering moss-covered rock walls, where wooden walkways and cascading streams create an atmospheric natural setting. For guests who prefer a gentler afternoon, you can replace the Dragon Gorge with additional sightseeing in Eisenach or a scenic drive through the Thuringian Forest, allowing the day to suit individual mobility and interests.

Later, return to Eisenach and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, perhaps exploring the historic old town, browsing its independent shops or relaxing at one of its traditional cafés.

Overnight: Eisenach

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8

Weimar's Cultural Treasures and the Journey to Leipzig,
Stay at Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Handelshof Leipzig 5*

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel from Eisenach to Weimar, renowned for its rich literary, artistic and architectural heritage. Enjoy a private guided walking tour through the historic centre, discovering the beautiful Market Square, monuments dedicated to Goethe and Schiller, and admiring their historic residences.

Continue to the magnificent Duchess Anna Amalia Library, famous for its elegant Rococo Hall, historic book collections and richly decorated interiors. Admission to the Rococo Hall requires advance reservation and is subject to availability.

Following lunch, visit Goethe's House, where the celebrated writer lived for almost fifty years, and discover more about his life and achievements. Alternatively, explore the Bauhaus Museum, dedicated to the influential design movement founded in Weimar in 1919.

Later, continue to Leipzig and check into your elegant hotel in the historic city centre. Enjoy the evening at leisure, perhaps exploring the lively market square and its traditional restaurants.

Overnight: Leipzig

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9

Leipzig's Historic Treasures

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided walking tour of Leipzig, discovering the city's rich musical heritage, magnificent architecture and fascinating history. Explore the historic Market Square, admire the Old Town Hall and visit St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach served as cantor and is buried.

Continue to St. Nicholas Church, renowned for its beautiful Neoclassical interior and its important role in the peaceful demonstrations of 1989 that helped bring about the fall of East Germany's communist regime. Discover the elegant Mädler Passage, one of Leipzig's most famous historic shopping arcades, before enjoying lunch in the city centre.

Following lunch, visit the impressive Monument to the Battle of the Nations, commemorating Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig in 1813. Explore this remarkable monument and, if you wish, admire the panoramic views from its observation platforms.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon and enjoy your final evening at leisure, perhaps dining at one of Leipzig's excellent restaurants or attending a classical music performance.

Overnight: Leipzig

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10

Departure

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and prepare for your onward journey, bringing your exploration of northern and central Germany to a close.

Your private chauffeur will transfer you to Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) or Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), in accordance with your flight schedule.

Your journey concludes with wonderful memories of magnificent castles, charming medieval towns, the beautiful Harz Mountains, historic steam railway journeys and fascinating cultural experiences.

Meals included: Breakfast