HAMBURG, BERLIN - GERMANY

Sunday, April 5.  DEPART FOR HAMBURG

Depart this evening aboard any airline of your choice to Hamburg, Germany arriving the next morning. Dinner and light breakfast served on the plane.

Monday, April 6, (D) HAMBURG

Upon arrival at the Hamburg International airport, take a taxi to the deluxe FAIRMONT HOTEL VIER JAHRESZEITEN, where we stay five nights. Briefing and cocktails followed by our Gala Welcome Dinner at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant.

Tuesday, April 7, (B,D) HAMBURG

This morning, we will take a walking tour. Among the sights to see are the City Hall, Churches of St. Micheals and St. Jacob, Counting House buildings and the Old Town. Afternoon is free. This evening, we will attend a concert at Elbphilharmonie by Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra. Early dinner at a harbor restaurant before the concert.

Hamburg - Germany's Second-Largest City and Historic Port Hub

Discover the allure of Hamburg, the dynamic Free and Hanseatic City, standing as Germany's second-largest urban hub. Hamburg boasts a rich maritime legacy positioned along the majestic Elbe River, serving as a pivotal port city for centuries. Unveil its financial prowess, hosting Germany's oldest stock exchange and the esteemed Berenberg Bank. The city resonates with cultural vibrancy, offering diverse theaters and captivating music spectacles. A legendary chapter in music history unfurled as the Beatles ignited their iconic journey from 1960 to 1962, igniting stages across local music clubs. Hamburg beckons, a fusion of history, finance, culture, and musical enchantment.

Tuesday, April 8. (B) HAMBURG

This morning, we will take a sightseeing tour of the city by bus. The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany. Hamburg is a major port on the river Elbe and an important financial center for centuries. It is the seat of Germany’s oldest stock exchange. Hamburg is also known for several theaters and a variety of music shows. From 1960 to 1962, the Beatles launched their career by playing at various music clubs in the city. This evening, we will see the opera La Traviata by Verdi at Hamburg State Opera.

Wednesday, April 9. (B) HAMBURG

As you have now been introduced to the city of Hamburg, today is free to discover on your own the many wonderful museums amongst them the interesting Brahm’s Museum (the composer was born in Hamburg in 1833) The Maritime Museum, etc. all in all there are 92 state and private museums in Hamburg. It is also possible to take a trip by boat around the harbour and the city. This evening, we will see the opera Il Trovatore by Verdi at Hamburg State Opera.

Thursday, April 10 (B,L) LÜBECK – HAMBURG

Today we drive on a full-day excursion to visit LÜBECK, the leading city of the Hanseatic League which from 13th to the 15th century dominated the sale of salt produced in the mines nearby, throughout the present-day Germany and Scandinavia. They have left behind ancient works of art and Gothic architecture among them, the entrance gate to the city, the cathedral St. Mary’s church, the holy spirit Hospital and the Town Hall. Lunch en route. Afternoon, return to Hamburg.

Friday, April 11. (B) HAMBURG - BERLIN

Today we will drive southeast to arrive in Berlin, where we stay five nights at the deluxe REGENT HOTEL This evening we will attend the Liederabend with the famous American mezzo-soprano JOYCE DiDONATO at the State Opera Unter den Linden.

Saturday, April 12. (B,D) BERLIN

Morning sightseeing tour by bus to include Alexanderplatz, the Town Hall, the Palace of the Republic and the Humboldt University. We drive through the Brandenburg Gate for a tour of former West Berlin to see Potzdamer Platz, the newly restored parliament, the Reichstag, the Berlin Philharmonic Hall, Charlottenburg Palace, the shop-lined Kurfürstendamm and Emperor William Memorial Church. This evening, we will see the opera Parsifal (starting at 4 pm) at Staatsoper Unter den Linden. Light dinner will be served in the opera.

Berlin became the capital of a newly founded Germany in 1871 and expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution. It lost its position as a capital to Weimar at the end of the First World war in 1918 until it was moved back by the Nazi party and Hitler in 1933. Then again, in 1945, at the Potsdam meeting it was divided into two cities, the East, under the control of communists and the West, a de facto West German enclave surrounded by the Berlin Wall. Following German unification in 1990, Berlin once again becomes the capital of the whole of Germany.

Sunday, April 13. (B,L) BERLIN

Morning visit of the Reichstag, the German Parliament, reopened in 1999 having gone through a reconstruction, led by architect Norman Foster. Lunch will be served at the famous Käfer restaurant while enjoying a beautiful view of the city. This evening, we will see the opera Norma at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden.

Monday, April 14. (B,L)* POTSDAM – BERLIN

Today, we will take an excursion to Potsdam to visit Cecilienhof Palace, where President Harry Truman, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin of Soviet Union met in July 1945 to decide on the future of Germany and postwar Europe. We will also see Fredrick the Great’s Rococo complex of gardens. Lunch in the charming city of Potsdam. Afternoon return to Berlin.

Tuesday April 15. (B,D)* BERLIN

In the morning, we will take you on a guided tour to the so called “Museum Island” where the Old National Gallery, the Bode Museum, The Egyptian Museum or the Pergamum Museum are located. This evening, we will have our Gala Farewell dinner at the hotel’s fine restaurant.

Wednesday April 16. (B)* BERLIN – BACK HOME

We will assist you in arranging transfer from the hotel to the Berlin International Airport for departure aboard your flight back home arriving the same afternoon. Auf wiedersehn. See you on another HAT TOUR.

* B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner (including wine)