Exciting Berlin with a touch of Poland | New Year

Saturday 30 December | We shall meet our tour-leader at 3.30 p.m. at the Malta International Airport and check-in for our direct Air Malta flight to Berlin, departing at 6p.m. After we arrive in Berlin, at around 8.55 p.m., we shall then transfer to our hotel situated in the city centre followed by assignment of rooms. After, you may wish to enjoy a walk in the centre of the city, followed by overnight.

Sunday 31 December | After breakfast, we offer you an optional day excursion of Berlin. This city was the capital of Germany between 1871 and 1945 and again since the reunification of Germany, which occurred on October 3, 1990. The German parliament, called Bundestag and the German government moved from Bonn to Berlin in 1999. Between 1949 and 1989, Berlin was divided into East Berlin, the capital of the German Democratic Republic, and West Berlin by the now infamous Berlin Wall, which was erected overnight on August 13, 1961. We begin our excursion with a city sightseeing tour. During our walking tour you will be able to see a number of important buildings, such as the Bradenburg Gate, the State Opera House, the Berlin Cathedral, the needle-sharp TV Tower, and various embassies before arriving in the famous Alexanderplatz. In the afternoon you shall have time for either more personal sightseeing, or else for shopping. In the evening we suggest you walk to the Bradenburg Gate to enjoy the world renowned New Year Eve celebrations, considered to be one of the wildest and best events in Germany. There are DJs and other live music playing all night long, as well as a laser light show and of course the traditional midnight fireworks display.

Monday 01 January | After breakfast we offer you a half day excursion visiting Potsdam, a former fishing village on the Havel River, situated 36 kms from Berlin. Potsdam used to be one of Germany’s most important city as it was the residence to Prussia’s kings and royal families, with Frederick the Great being its most important resident. You may visit the famous Sans Souci Park and Palace (included), which is very similar to Versailles and is a marvel of landscaped gardens and other architectural wonders.  Surrounded by vineyard terraces, it is Potsdam’s favourite visitor attraction and home to a magnificent art and sculpture collection. Close by are the Church of St. Nicholas and the old Town Hall.

Tuesday 02 January | After breakfast, join the tour leader for an optional day excursion, visiting Dresden and Meissen. The city of Dresden, split in two by the river Elbe is the capital city of Eastern Saxony, and until being totally destroyed by bombing during the World War 2, was considered to be Germany’s most beautiful city. One should appreciate the numerous sights, including the striking Zwinger, Germany’s most notable building from the late Baroque period, Semperproper, an exquisite opera house, the Albertinum, and the elegant Frauenkirche amongst others. After some free time for lunch (extra) or some shopping, we shall then continue and stop for some time in the unspoilt town of Meissen, located 25kms from Dresden and which is famous for its porcelain. Enough time shall be given to explore the compact town centre before we return to our hotel in Berlin and overnight.

Wednesday 03 January | Today, after breakfast and room check-out, we offer you a day excursion to Poland. After crossing the border that separates the two countries, we shall visit the city of Szczecin (Stettin). This Polish city is located just 65km inland from the Baltic Sea and between the Oder River and Lake Dabie. Stettin is one of the Baltic Sea’s more important harbours. We shall have time to explore the interesting Old Town, the Gothic Church of St. Jacob, the Renaissance Palace, the baroque Assembly Palace, the harbour and the interesting Grundwaldzki Square with its 19th Century buildings. In the late afternoon you may enjoy the beautiful countryside scenery whilst we head back towards Berlin airport for our return flight home which should depart at 7.10 p.m. Our arrival in Malta should be at 10.05 p.m.