The 3rd Reich and Divided Germany

Dachau KZ-Lager was the first concentration camp established by the Nazi regime, serving as a model for all subsequent labor camps and the only one in operation throughout the entire 12 years of Nazi rule. Led by a licensed local guide, our tour of this memorial site offers a profound exploration of Dachau’s history, examining the atrocities committed from its sudden opening in 1933 to the harrowing conditions revealed at its liberation in 1945.

After lunch at a traditional Munich beer hall, we embark on an in-depth Third Reich tour of the city. Munich was the birthplace of the NSDAP, which maintained its headquarters here throughout its existence. We’ll explore the party’s early activities during the 1920s, when it was still a small fringe movement, and trace its growing influence as it rose to power. You’ll also see how the Nazis reshaped parts of the city—and learn about the ambitious plans they never realized after taking control of Germany in 1933.

Enjoy a free evening to explore Munich's dining scene at your leisure tonight.

Today, we embark on a day trip to Obersalzberg, once a pristine alpine resort village that, in the 1920s, became Adolf Hitler’s favored summer retreat. After rising to power in 1933, the National Socialists commandeered the entire area, transforming it into a restricted zone and using its picturesque alpine setting as propaganda to portray Hitler as a neighborly, nature-loving leader and statesman.

From Obersalzberg, we’ll take a bus to the historic Eagle’s Nest, a mountaintop structure built by the Nazi Party to impress visiting dignitaries. Although Hitler seldom visited this "tea house," the panoramic views are truly spectacular. We’ll also visit the Documentation Center, which details the history of Obersalzberg during the Third Reich, including a guided walk through the fascinating bunkers, built as a bomb-proof command center toward the end of the war.

Enjoy another evening at your leisure for dinner.

We depart Munich and travel north to Nuremberg, once a principal city of the Holy Roman Empire. Hitler considered Nuremberg to be the perfect German city, making it the chosen site for the annual week-long party rallies of the 1930s. At the rally grounds, we’ll learn about the events held there and the ambitious, often extravagant construction plans the regime envisioned and designed. A significant expansion of the Documentation Center is set for completion in 2025.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Nuremberg’s Old Town, which was heavily damaged in WWII. Its postwar reconstruction stands as a remarkable story of dedication, resilience, and international support. We’ll also tour the extensive underground cellars, originally created for beer and food storage but later used to safeguard invaluable objects and artifacts from the city’s museums, churches, castles, and other historic sites during the war.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a group dinner in Nuremberg.

Our day begins with a visit to Saal 600, the memorial site where the post-WWII war crimes trials were held. Here, you’ll learn why Nuremberg was chosen as the location, the details of the main trial and subsequent proceedings, and how these landmark trials shaped future postwar justice and international law.

Next, we head north to Mödlareuth, a small village once split down the middle by the border fence that separated East and West Germany, earning it the nickname "Mini-Berlin." When the Berlin Wall fell, the residents realized their village was a unique symbol of Germany's division. Much of the original border has been preserved and is now part of the German-German Museum.

We then travel to Leipzig, the heart of the Velvet Revolution, a peaceful movement that played a pivotal role in the fall of the Iron Curtain. We’ll visit the church that served as the focal point for those praying for change, and explore the outstanding Contemporary History Museum, which showcases a wealth of artifacts from the era of the DDR.

Tonight, enjoy a group dinner in Leipzig.

Just outside Berlin lies the city of Potsdam, where, starting in the 18th century, the Prussian royal family built a series of summer palaces. The last of these was Cecilienhof, a sprawling lakeside hunting lodge. It was here that Truman, Stalin, and Churchill (later replaced by Attlee) met to decide the future of post-war Germany. The main meeting rooms, along with those used by each delegation, now house the museum dedicated to the Potsdam Conference, our first stop of the day.

During the Cold War, the Glienicke Bridge, located on the edge of Potsdam, served as one of the border crossings into West Berlin. It was here that East and West exchanged political prisoners. We’ll visit this iconic “Bridge of Spies” for an extended photo stop, reliving a poignant chapter of Cold War history.

A short distance further is Wannsee, an upscale lakeside suburb of Berlin, where a completely different, and much darker, conference took place in 1942. The Wannsee Conference was where the Nazi regime formalized its "Final Solution" to the Jewish Question, mandating the systematic extermination of millions. Our visit to this powerful and emotional museum will provide a deeply informative and moving experience.

Tonight, we’ll gather for a group dinner in Berlin.

Today’s theme is the Third Reich in Berlin. You’ll explore how the Nazi regime reshaped the German capital as they consolidated power and steered the nation toward war, and learn about their ambitious plans to transform Berlin into the 'World Capital Germania.' While WWII interrupted these ambitions, the war’s impact left indelible marks across the city. Fascinating visits to a collapsed flak (anti-aircraft) tower and an air raid shelter provide a powerful look into what life was like during wartime in Berlin.

We’ll also visit several important sites of remembrance, including the Holocaust Memorial, the German Resistance Memorial Center, and the Topography of Terror, Berlin's primary documentation center for the Third Reich. Along the way, we’ll also see iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, and the site of Hitler’s bunker.

In the evening, take the opportunity to explore Berlin’s vibrant restaurant scene at your leisure.

Today, we shift focus to a different chapter of Berlin’s history: the Berlin Wall. We begin with a visit to the informative Wall Memorial, followed by a photo stop at the East Side Gallery and see the thread of the wall's footprint throughout the city. The Berlin Wall Memorial offers a deeply poignant experience, covering the Wall's construction, the division it caused, and the countless victims it left in its wake. You’ll learn how some were able to tunnel to freedom on a special tour of the Berlin Underground. We also get a look at border crossings, including Checkpoint Charlie and the neighboring immersive Berlin Wall panorama.

We’ll also delve into life in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) with a drive along a grand socialist boulevard and a visit to a museum dedicated to the everyday experiences of DDR citizens. Additionally, we’ll take a guided tour of the former Stasi headquarters, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of East Germany’s infamous secret police.

A fabulous farewell dinner this evening in Berlin marks the perfect conclusion to our Third Reich and Divided Germany tour.

Fond farewells and "auf Wiedersehen" with either:

-   transfer to BER, the Berlin Airport
-   return to Munich via the high-speed ICE train (optional)