Berlin, Dresden and the Magnificent Harz Mountains

Berlin, Dresden and the Magnificent Harz Mountains

History, art and culture come together across this tour of north-east Germany. The journey begins in Berlin, where both sides of the once-divided city reveal a powerful history alongside a modern, forward-looking culture. In Dresden, opulent architecture takes centre stage, while Meissen’s world-famous porcelain craftsmen can be seen at work. Travelling through Saxony, storybook castles appear along the way, before the route concludes in the Harz Mountains, where half-timbered towns and heritage steam trains move through dense forest. An ideal introduction to one of Germany’s most compelling regions.

What's Included:

• 9 nights in hotels
• 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
• Nationwide return chauffeur service
• 11 excursions & visits
• Titan tour manager
• Transport from the UK
• 1.5 days free time

• Porterage

  Included Excursions:

• Guided tours of east Berlin, west Berlin and Potsdam
• Visits to the Berlin Wall Memorial, Meissen Porcelain Manufactory and Colditz Castle
• Guided walking tours of Dresden, Wernigerode and Quedlinburg
• Steam trains through Saxony countryside and the Harz Mountains National Park

Operator: Titan Travel

Day 1: UK - Berlin

Titan Travel's nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Berlin, ready to begin your tour of northern Germany.

Day 2: Berlin

Join a guided coach tour this morning, exploring the history of East Berlin. Visit Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the East Side Gallery – an open-air art gallery along the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall – and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Finish the tour at Alexanderplatz, with time to explore and have lunch (own expense) before returning to the hotel.

Day 3: Berlin

Spend a full day discovering what West Berlin has to offer. Pass must-see sights including the Reichstag Building, the statue-topped Victory Column, and Kurfürstendamm – the city’s premier shopping boulevard. Later, visit the Berlin Wall Memorial – an open-air exhibition offering a fascinating insight into life when the city was divided.

Day 4: Berlin - Potsdam - Dresden

Travel to Dresden via Potsdam, a charming city once home to Prussian kings. A guided tour reveals baroque squares and classical monuments, ending in the Dutch Quarter, with time at leisure to wander past gabled red-brick houses and perhaps pause in a cosy café or two. Continue to Dresden, a wonderful city set on the banks of the Elbe River.

Day 5: Dresden

Discover Dresden – one of Germany’s cultural gems, home to an array of spectacular palaces, churches and castles. This morning, a guided walking tour explores the historic heart, passing the beautifully reconstructed Semper Opera House, the striking Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) with its skyline-piercing steeple, Brühl’s Terrace – a photo-worthy riverside walkway above the fortress – and Dresden Castle, former residence of the kings of Saxony. The afternoon is at leisure. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to the Zwinger Palace to enjoy a memorable performance by the Dresdner Residenz Konzerte (selected dates only).

Day 6: Meissen and Moritzburg

Travel to the nearby riverside town of Meissen today, to visit the famous Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. View heritage designs, tour the workshop and learn about the incredible craftsmanship involved in producing this exceptional quality porcelain. Perhaps buy a piece to take home - a wonderful souvenir of your holiday to Germany. After an hour or so of free time to explore the town, head on to Mortizburg, pausing along the way to admire the sunshine-yellow Schloss Moritzburg, a baroque moated castle said to be one of the prettiest in Saxony. At Moritzburg, board a heritage steam train for a scenic half-hour journey along narrow-gauge tracks through woodland and countryside. After a photo stop, return to the hotel by coach.

Day 7: Dresden - Colditz Castle - Wernigerode

Colditz Castle sits on a wooded hilltop above the Mulde River. Over the centuries, it’s been everything from a king’s residence to a workhouse and, most famously, a prisoner-of-war camp during WWII. Inside, uncover its fascinating past, from its royal roots to the daring escape attempts made during the war. This afternoon, continue on to Wernigerode, a town on the edge of the Harz Mountains featuring colourful half-timbered houses and a fairytale-like castle.

Day 8: Wernigerode and Harz Railway

A morning walking tour reveals Wernigerode’s characterful old town, with its medieval town hall, market square and crooked houses. Later, board another heritage steam train for a journey up to Brocken. Set on the summit of the Harz’s tallest mountain, it’s one of the highest stations in Germany. There’ll be plenty of time at the top to take in the incredible views of the surrounding national park landscape. Please note, depending on train schedules, the day may operate in reverse.

Day 9: Quedlinburg

Journey to Quedlinburg – a UNESCO-listed storybook town with over a thousand years of history. Discover a rich mix of Renaissance castles, Art Nouveau villas and Romanesque buildings, alongside hundreds of half-timbered houses. A guided walking tour introduces the town’s highlights, followed by time at leisure to explore independently – perhaps visiting the Klosterkirche Münzenberg or the Fachwerkmuseum im Ständerbau, dedicated to the historic craft of timber-framed construction.

Day 10: Wernigerode - UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.