Coach transfer from school to Pearson International Airport for the overnight Air Canada flight from Toronto to Berlin.
Afternoon arrival to Berlin, the renewed capital of Germany and one of Europe’s greatest cities where you will be greeted by your tour director at the airport. Berlin is eight-times the size of Paris and a very unique cultural destination. The imperial majesty of the Prussian Empire is reflected in post-communist freedom and commerce.
Berlin, however, cannot escape its complicated past, and the architecture of the city shows the trauma of WWII and the post-war era. After checking into the hotel, travel by subway to the heart of the city and experience Berlin’s dichotomy on a walking tour of the historic district passing former royal palaces, the Opera House and many other significant points of interest.
Dinner this evening at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel.
Overnight in Berlin.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer by subway to the city centre. This morning’s guided walking tour will include the scenic Unter den Linden Boulevard passing the Cathedral, Alexander Platz, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Brandenburg Gate. The Brandenburg Gate is one of the most famous landmarks in all of Germany and leads directly to the Reichstag, the seat of the German Parliament. Students will visit the Topography of Terror Museum, located on the site of the former Nazi SS headquarters where exhibits detail the horror of the Nazi regime.
There will be supervised free time for lunch before continuing to the Street Art Walking Tour that occupies more than a kilometre section of the Berlin Wall, followed by a workshop where students will have the opportunity to create their own work of art. The tour leader will highlight places of interest pertaining to the Cold War period when Germans lived in the East under communism while their fellow countrymen lived in democratic West Germany. The effects of reunification across the former East and West divide are still being felt.
Dinner this evening in a local restaurant before returning to the hotel.
Overnight in Berlin.
After an early breakfast, check-out of the hotel and board the motorcoach for the trip across Germany to Poland. Late afternoon arrival to Krakow, Poland’s second largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is renowned for its enchanting medieval core and Jewish Quarter. After checking into the hotel, an orientation walking tour will focus on the Jewish District of Kazimierz, which was inhabited by one of the most vibrant and diverse Jewish communities in Europe until WWII and the Nazi occupation.
Dinner this evening in a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for teacher led activities and lights out.
Overnight in Krakow.
After breakfast, transfer to the heart of the historic city for a full day of activities. A guided tour will include the Wawel Hill, the embodiment of Poland’s former monarchy where the Royal Castle, 14th Century Wawel Cathedral, and Pope John Paul II (Krakow’s most famous son) Museum is located. Continue to the Renaissance Cloth Hall, Glowny Square and other major sites in this stunning city. After lunch enjoy an interactive Pierogi cooking class before a group dinner where students will enjoy the fruits of their (pierogi) labour. Return to the hotel by public transportation before lights out.
Overnight in Krakow.
After breakfast, board the coach for the drive to the infamous concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. From 1940 to 1945, Auschwitz was the largest Nazi concentration and death camp in occupied Europe. The Auschwitz Memorial Museum was included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979. During the tour you will walk through the death camp and experience powerful exhibits dedicated to the memory of those who died. There will be time for lunch before boarding the bus and continuing on to the capital city of the Czech Republic.
Upon arrival to Prague, check-in before dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Prague.
After breakfast, transfer to the heart of the medieval city centre for a guided walking tour that will include the magical view from Prague Castle, the picturesque Lesser Town, Market Square, National Theatre, the baroque Church of Saint Nicholas, and the famous Charles Bridge. The Old Town Square is a must see, with a large number of beautiful monuments as well as the statue of Master Jan Hus, the Tyn Church and the exquisite 14th c. astronomical clock.
In the afternoon tour "Joseph's Town”, which was the heart of Hebrew culture in Europe in the 17th century, where students can visit the cemetery, synagogues, and Jewish Museum dedicated to the once flourishing pre-WW2 Jewish community. This evening enjoy a dinner and folkloric evening of Bohemian and Moravian music and dance. Return to the hotel by public transportation after dinner, before head count and lights out.
Overnight in Prague.
Depart Prague this morning and travel south to Austria. Arrive in Salzburg mid-afternoon and enjoy an orientation walk of the local district including the Old Town, Rezidenz Palace, and Mozart’s birthplace. Salzburg has long been associated with music, and today the Baroque city-centre remains much like it was 250 years ago when Mozart achieved fame as a child prodigy.
Experience this firsthand at the “Sound of Music” interactive evening and dinner where songs from the famous movie are combined with excerpts from Mozart’s masterpieces and Salzburg’s rich musical history. Enjoy classic Austrian dishes like schnitzel and strudel before returning to the hotel for the remainder of the evening.
Overnight in Salzburg.
After breakfast this evening, board the coach and cross the Bavaria Alps to Munich. Enroute stop in Berchtesgaden and visit the Eagles Nest, Hitler’s mountain retreat where the Nazi elite wined and dined in style. Later, tour the 500 year old Salt Mines for a fun expedition below ground while wearing traditional mining overalls to learn about Bavaria’s most import historic export. Early evening arrival to Munich, the capital of Bavaria, and if time permits enjoy a brief coach orientation tour.
This evening students will enjoy a delicious dinner in a traditional restaurant before checking into the hotel.
Overnight in Munich.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and bid Auf Wiedersehen to Germany. Mid-day departure from Munich for the return flight to Toronto, arriving in Toronto mid-afternoon.
