Family Friendly Germany

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Berlin

   A vibrant cosmopolitan city that’s rich in history and contemporary culture, Berlin is constantly evolving. From the ruins of World War II to the Cold War division of the Berlin wall, Berlin has always managed to rebuild. Germany's largest city, this sprawling (by European standards) metropolis has excellent public transportation, from subways to an official rowboat ferry. You’ll find a little of everything here, from history to high gastronomy, art museums to palaces, and plenty of lively bars and nightclubs. The nightlife here is world-class, but there’s more than enough to see during the day. Berlin is made up of distinctive neighborhoods, each with a different character. We recommend several ways of exploring the city, from a Cold War walking tour to a bike tour to see all the must-see sights in a simple and easy way. An exploration of the long and volatile history of Jewish culture in the city is eye-opening as Jewish life in Berlin has been meticulously documented. Many of the city’s art and culture museums offer unforgettable glimpses into history. Potsdam offers the perfect diversion for an afternoon, and Sanssouci Palace, with its well-tended gardens, is a beautiful reminder of the city’s impressive past. The past comes alive in Berlin, but the present is very much alive as well.

   Welcome to Berlin! You will be met at the Berlin Brandenburg airport and have transport arranged to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Through the Eyes of Kids

   When navigating Berlin with children, a few standout options capture one's attention. A trip to the zoo is always a classic and recommended choice. Interestingly, given Berlin's historical division, the city now boasts two zoos, and we'll help you choose the best one for your visit. In addition to the zoological adventures, we can provide suggestions that appeal to a broader audience, including those intrigued by trains, planes, and the joy of hands-on building experiences. Berlin offers an array of museums and interactive spaces, ensuring there's something enjoyable for every member of the family. Whether it's exploring technology museums, aviation-themed attractions, or creative workshops, your visit to Berlin with kids is sure to be filled with delightful and enriching experiences.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Berlin

   

   Berlin Highlights Bike Group Tour

   Berlin on a bicycle: it's the perfect way to experience this historic and lively city. Pedal around Berlin at a leisurely pace, led by an experienced guide who will make the capital come to life. Highlights include the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, and of course, the Berlin Wall. You'll get a feel for the layout of the city and everything that makes it special.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   See the City From Above at Alexanderplatz

   One of the liveliest places in Berlin, Alexanderplatz is East Berlin's unofficial main square, with cinemas, restaurants, shops and many other places of interest close by. The EU's second tallest structure, the Berlin TV Tower, has been Berlin's dominant landmark for decades. The express elevator will get you to the observation deck with panoramic views high above the city. You can see and plan your next move at some of the city’s well-known sights, from the Reichstag Parliament building and Brandenburg Gate to the Olympic Stadium or former Tempelhof airport, all while enjoying a meal in the revolving restaurant.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Berlin

   

   Gardens and Palaces of Potsdam Bike Group Tour

   Potsdam is Berlin’s most popular day trip destination, and for good reason. It’s a veritable playground for biking, with many Prussian and Cold War sights tucked deep in parks and along quiet alleyways. This 6.5-hour tour includes a train ride and cruising on a bike. Along the way you'll see some of the most unique sights in Potsdam, a paradise of gardens and palaces. The tour starts by taking the train from the TV Tower shop to Potsdam, where bikes are waiting for you. At the end of the tour you will take the train back to the shop in Alexanderplatz.

   We recommend to wear comfortable shoes and come prepared for an action-filled day!
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 6-7 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Climb the Devil's Mountain

   With its hip neighborhoods and sizable street art scene, Berlin is a haven for teens. We recommend visiting Teufelsberg ("Devil's Mountain"), an abandoned NSA surveillance base built atop the city's highest point. An easy half hour's walk from Heerstrasse S-Bahn train station west of the city center, this complex offers one of the city's best views. You can climb to the top for a fee, and enjoy the acoustics from within the radomes that once housed equipment used to monitor all of East Germany. For something more central, head to Mount Mitte, an adventure park next to one end of the Berlin Wall memorial area. Here, you can climb and bike in a park that covers a former rail yard, and is still strewn with abandoned tracks and bridges.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 Traveling to Dresden by Private Transfer / Arrival in Dresden

   

   Today you're off to lovely Dresden. The drive without a stop takes about 2.5 hours, but we have included a 3-hour stop in the Spreewald, a forested wetland reserve filled with canals and villages only reachable by boat, making it a rural Venice. Please note that this is a non-guided tour but our local representative will provide you with some recommendations closer to your arrival. The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class of vehicle for an extra fee.

   Dresden has had one of the most volatile histories of any city in Europe, being almost totally reduced to rubble in World War II. The city today is a unique combination of remembered and honored history and a vibrant, entertaining present. There are several historical buildings throughout the city that attest to the destruction here, but Dresden has rejuvenated itself since World War II, and today is one of Germany’s most tourist-friendly cities, with an enchanting energy and entertainment all year round. Famous for its Christmas markets, Dresden also has plenty to offer in the warmer months, from museums and memorials, to intriguing new architecture, pleasant parks, and nearby destinations for day trips. History comes alive everywhere you look in Dresden, and we highly recommend taking a closer look at the city’s museums and the traces of the past in the architecture. The city also has a rich cultural program, with numerous galleries and concert taking place quite regularly. You can certainly sample hearty German cuisine here, as well as more modern Continental flavours. You’ll love exploring this lovely city and the surrounding region.

   Welcome to Dresden! Your private driver will bring you directly to your accommodation in the center of Dresden.

   

   Children's Paradise

   There are plenty of things to do in Dresden with kids. One of our favorite activities is taking the train that goes through the Grosse Garten (Great Garden). Originally run by the East German equivalent to the Boy/Girl Scouts, the Dresden Park Railway is still staffed by children! The electric, diesel, and steam trains loop along a 5.6 kilometer track, which includes a stop at the Dresden Zoo. If your kid is a budding young scientist, they'll love the Dresden Technical Collections Museum, which teaches science in a distinctive building with a large brick tower offering great views. The German Hygiene Museum is also home to surprisingly engrossing exhibitions on the body.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

   

   Dresden Old Town Private Walking Tour

   A must-do for getting to know the city of Dresden is strolling through its historical Old Town. From the majestically situated Theatre Square with the world-famous Semper Opera House to the baroque Zwinger Festival Square with its striking landmark - the Crown Gate and from the galleries lined with fountains to Taschenbergpalais, the former residence of Countess Cosel, Dresden remains a major cultural centre of historical memory.
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Dresden

   

   Private Day Trip to Saxon Switzerland by Train

   Saxon Switzerland, just southeast of Dresden, is one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Germany. This private tour with an expert guide is the perfect way to explore it. You can look forward to a scenic train trip followed by a hike through sandstone mountains and a beautiful National Park.

   • Activity Level : Strenuous
   • Duration : 8 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

6. Day 6 Traveling to Nuremberg by Private Transfer / Arrival in Nuremberg

   

   Today you will leave from Dresden and travel to Nuremberg. A driver will pick you up from your accommodation at your preferred departure time. The drive takes about 3.5 hours, depending on the traffic. If you'd like, we can arrange a stop along the way in Bamberg for an additional fee.

   Nuremberg in northern Bavaria is famous for its well-preserved medieval architecture and delicious local food. Head to the Old Town to see its houses, stone towers, and fortifications, and to marvel at the Schöner Brunnen ("Beautiful Fountain") located in the "Hauptmarkt" main square. Kaiserburg castle is the most famous place to visit here, with its impressive insight into the city's history. But, there is so much more to Nuremberg; this is a lively modern city with lots of interesting museums, different festivals and events and a great variety of international cuisine. Even among Germans, the city is known for its beer, sausages, and gingerbread, so come hungry!

   Upon arriving in Nuremberg, your driver will bring you directly to your accommodation.

   

   A City of Toys

   Nuremberg has been famed for its toys and dolls for over six centuries. As a result, it hosts the world’s largest toy fair every winter. But you don't have to visit in the depths of winter to see some impressive playthings. We can recommend the city's best museums, science centers, and places to see animals. Should you want to introduce your kids to memorable art, make sure to take them to Albert Dürer's House.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

7. Day 7 Your First Full Day in Nuremberg

   

   Old Town Group Walking Tour

   This two-hour walking tour will show you the best of Old Town Nuremberg. In a short time you'll get your bearings in the city and come to a better understanding of its history and culture. This very informative tour with an expert local guide will give you a new appreciation for this fabulous destination.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Bratwurst and Gingerbread

   Be sure to try Nuremberg's two most famous snacks before you go! The first is the local take on bratwurst. Want to know why these sausages are so tiny? Ask a vendor, or join our food tour! The other is "lebkuchen," the "cake of life," better known as gingerbread. This popular delicacy has quite a few stories behind it, so join a tour, or even a gingerbread baking class, to hear them!

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

8. Day 8 Traveling to Munich by Train / Arrival in Munich

   You're off to the Bavarian capital today. We'll include standard class train tickets in your package for one of the regular high-speed (just over an hour) services from Nuremberg to Munich. If you'd like an upgrade for the 1st class, we can arrange that for an additional fee. We haven’t included a transfer here because in our experience transfer services in Nuremberg are very overpriced. Nuremberg's taxis are honest, reasonably priced and you’ll have no problem arranging for one with your hotel reception.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Munich by Private Transfer with Stops along the Romantic Road

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   With its traditional beer halls, designer shops, trendy restaurants and international business, Munich is a mix of old and new, German and cosmopolitan. Largely rebuilt after World War II, the city still retains its old world charm, even in the midst of expansion and modernization. You’ve probably heard of the city’s world famous Oktobertfest, a once-in-a-lifetime party dedicated to that incredible Bavarian beer along with some of the local delicacies, including tasty schnitzel. But there’s much more to Munich than drinking, and on your holiday you’ll have the chance to discover the best this charming city has to offer. Don’t miss out on the beer halls and the breweries, but be sure to get off the beaten path to discover a Munich of your own. Much of the city’s past centers around World War II, and there are several ways you can explore this chapter of Munich’s history, including a day trip to the Dachau concentration camp and a special tour focusing on Hitler and the local activities of the Third Reich. Munich is also a center of industry and there is nowhere better to experience this than BMW World. Moving slightly farther afield, Neuschwanstein Castle makes the perfect day trip, perched high in the hills over a verdant valley. Munich’s variety means there’s more than enough to satisfy even the most diverse groups of travelers. Let your curiosity guide you as you explore this unique German city.

   When you arrive at Munich Hauptbahnhof you will easily find the station’s taxi rank signposted. We haven’t included a transfer here because in our experience meet & greet transfer services in Munich are overpriced, unreliable and the driver can be hard to locate in the vast station. Munich’s taxis are honest, reasonably priced and you’ll have no problem finding one at the station’s taxi rank, so you’ll save both time and money by taking one to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Munich for Kids

   Munich provides a plethora of activities tailored for children, starting with the Deutsches Museum, featuring interactive exhibits designed for young explorers. The city's Toy Museum is both impressive and enjoyable, showcasing a remarkable collection of both new and antique toys. For outdoor leisure, the English Garden, surpassing even the size of New York's Central Park, offers a splendid setting for strolling, biking rentals, or picnics. For movie enthusiasts, the Bavaria Film Studios stand out as a delightful option, serving as Europe's largest filmmaking center. Here, the little ones can ride the dragon from The NeverEnding Story or explore the submarine from Das Boot.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

9. Day 9 Your First Full Day in Munich

   

   Munich Bike Group Tour

   Hop aboard a bike and enjoy a fun and active tour of Munich, one of the most fascinating cities in Germany. You'll see all of the most famous sights in the center of the city and also explore some of the lesser-known but not less notable neighborhoods. From historic architecture to contemporary beer halls, you'll get a better understanding of the city and its special character. Led by an expert guide, the tour will be a highlight during your stay in Munich.
   

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   See the City from Above

   Although not a city of skyscrapers, Munich offers numerous wonderful viewpoints. The best panoramic views of the Old Town are available from the St. Peter's Church (or "Old Peter," as the locals call it) viewing platform, which is climbed by thousands of visitors every day. Climb the 300 stairs (no elevator available) for the breathtaking views of the Frauenkirche and the Town Hall. Munich's highest point, the Olympic Tower, offers views over the whole city and on a clear day the Alps beyond. You can even enjoy a unique perspective on the city via a modern zeppelin, although these rides are offered rarely, and book up quickly (the zeppelin is generally used for tours of Lake Constance, on the Swiss border).

   Suggestion to explore on your own

10. Day 10 Departure Day

    Based on your departure time, a driver will pick you up from your accommodation and take you to Munich's airport.