Capitals of Culture: Exploring Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin
Hotels, transport and tours booked for you
Paris
Amsterdam
Berlin
Interactive Map
Cultural ExplorationExperiencing the Local Scene
How Long Is Paris, Amsterdam & Berlin Trip and What Does It Cost?
10 days and 9 nights in Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin from $2,995 per person (flights not included). Best time to go: Jan-Dec.
On this journey through Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin you'll encounter 3 national capitals that are also European hubs of culture, each with their own vibrant local scenes. In Paris, explore iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower & Arc de Triomphe, as well as the charming neighborhoods of Montmartre and the Latin Quarter. In Amsterdam, stroll along beautiful canals and soak up the historical allure of the hip Jordaan neighborhood. Conclude in Berlin, a city rich with history and modern vibrance, from the Brandenburg Gate to the East Side Gallery. Enjoy a stress-free trip with private guided tours & detailed travel guidance via our mobile app.
Trip Highlights
Wander Paris’s Montmartre, soaking up bohemian charm & stunning views from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
Cruise along Amsterdam’s canal rings, marveling at the elegant merchant houses and historic bridges.
Visit the Anne Frank House, a poignant reminder of history within Amsterdam’s vibrant Old Town.
See Berlin’s dynamic art scene at the East Side Gallery, a remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.
Enjoy an evening of beer-tasting with a Berlin local in one of the city's hippest neighborhoods.
Must-See Sights
The Eiffel Tower dominates the Parisian skyline. The site of hundreds of marriage proposals and countless declarations of love, the top of the Eiffel Tower is one of the most romantic places in the world. As Paris unfurls below you, it's hard not to be swept up in the feeling.
Built for a World's Fair in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was intended to be a temporary installation, but the city embraced the iron structure, and it stayed. One writer even called the tower "a spectacular hymn to science and progress." Over the following century, the tower was the site of science experiments, parachute jumps, the French Resistance, movie sets, and even a plane crash. The tower became synonymous with Paris, and one of the most iconic monuments in the world. If you don't go to the Eiffel Tower, can you even say you've been to Paris?
Home to Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Louvre is the mecca of all art museums, a literal palace of art. A sprawling complex of antiquities, paintings, objets d'art, and sculpture, the Louvre collection holds more than 350,000 artworks, making it the largest museum in the world. You could easily spend all day or even all week wandering the Louvre. In fact, to see every single piece of art for just 30 seconds, you'd need at least 100 days.
But even if you only have an hour or two, you should see inside the Louvre. As well as the famed Mona Lisa, a chance to see the ancient Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and other super celebrity artworks is more than worth the entry price.
More than merely a pretty vantage point for photographs, the Arc is arguably the most important French National icon. Originally built by Napoleon in 1806, to celebrate France's victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, the arc has since become a symbol of French national fervor. Throughout history, the Arc has been the rallying point for French military parades and even the start of significant funeral processions. When the Allied Forces, including Americans, reclaimed Paris in 1945, they too marched below the Arc.
The top of the Arc de Triomphe has some of the best views across Paris, especially at night. Head to the viewing platform and spot some of the city's most iconic highlights below, including the Champs-Elysées and the Sacré-Coeur.
The basis of the old joke that 'God created Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands' can best be seen in the horseshoe-shaped old center of Old Town Amsterdam. Early Amsterdamers reclaimed much of their city from the sea, building the perfectly straight canals to keep the new land dry.
As you explore the old town, you see most of the picture-perfect gabled houses still retain their winch beams and hooks for hauling goods to the attic. You can easily spend a day wandering the cobbled streets and canals, taking pictures, inspecting the houseboats that line the channels, and stopping off at cafes and bars.
The Museum Quarter forms the cultural hub of Amsterdam and is a mecca for art and culture lovers. Arranged in a tight knot on the aptly named Museumplein, this area is home to a trio of museums that showcase the best of Dutch art from throughout the ages.
The venerable Rijksmuseum boasts a much-admired collection of paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals, stars of the 17th century Dutch Baroque style. Across the way at the Van Gogh Museum, sunflowers wither and irises bloom in the world’s largest collection of paintings by the Post-Impressionist master. Meanwhile, modern art, a specialty of the forward-looking Dutch, can be found at the Stedelijk Museum.
The Anne Frank House is an essential pilgrimage for anyone familiar with Anne Franks’s diary. During the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam, teenage Anne and her Jewish family spent two years and one month hiding from the authorities, surviving in an annex built behind a warehouse. They were tragically discovered and sent away to concentration camps. Only Anne’s father, Otto Frank, survived.
Anne kept a diary of her time in the annex, which was published shortly after the war. This diary has become an international symbol of hope and youth in times of conflict and persecution. Today you can tour the rooms where the family hid. More than just a place to see, the Anne Frank House is somewhere you can feel as you imagine the lives of the people who hid there.
The Brandenburg Gate is one of the most charged symbols in all of Germany. Built in 1791 to commemorate peace, Brandenburg served as a triumphal arch for Napoleon, a Nazi party icon, and part of the Berlin Wall. In 1987 when President Reagan made his famous proclamation of ‘Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’, he did so in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
The gate is also very easy on the eye, a neoclassical masterpiece of symmetry and balance. Based on the entry to the ancient Athenian Acropolis, Brandenburg is topped by a group of four triumphant horses pulling a cart. Even today, when visiting Brandenburg, you can feel the immense history in the air.
The Berlin Wall remains one of the city’s most prominent, ominous icons. After WWII, Berlin divided between Soviet Russia in the East and the Allied Powers in the West. Many East Germans fled to West Berlin to escape the rising communist German Democratic Republic. To prevent this, the socialists began constructing a wall in 1961 intending to keep their citizens in, and capitalism out.
For nearly 30 years, the wall was the site of tension, division, and murder. Hundreds of people were killed trying to flee from East to West, until 1989 when the Soviet Union crumbled. Today, parts of the wall are preserved, complete with political graffiti and even bullet holes. Seeing the Berlin Wall up close is a remarkable chance to inspect a horrifying piece of 20th-century history.
Checkpoint C was the main access point for non-Germans entering East Berlin during the Cold War. Nicknamed ‘Checkpoint Charlie’, some of the worst Cold War tensions played out on this site. In 1961, East German and American tanks faced off over the checkpoint, each armed with munitions. As the Cold War progressed, it became one of the most surveilled spaces in Berlin. The Eagle Cafe, right next to the checkpoint, was filled with officials, soldiers, and spies peering over into East Berlin.
Made famous by Cold War movies like Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, the once moody, clandestine atmosphere of the checkpoint is now a popular attraction. A replica border post marks the spot, and you can snap photos with people dressed in Cold War-era military uniforms.
These days a replica border post now marks the spot, often with people dressed in Cold War-era military uniforms with whom you can take a picture with for a few euros. Nearby, the Jewish Museum explores the fascinating history of Germany’s Jewish heritage in a strikingly modern building.
Paris, Amsterdam & Berlin Trip Itinerary, Day by Day
Arrival
Train: 4.5h
Train: 6h
Departure
Day 1
Arrive Paris
To Be Determined
Arrival in Paris Airport & Transfer by Taxi
Upon arrival at one of Paris's Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airports, it's fairly easy to catch a taxi from outside the main terminal building to your hotel. This is cheaper than a pre-arranged private transfer, although that option is also available if you wish - just ask your consultant. Parisien taxi drivers are generally reliable and honest, but we will provide you with instructions on how to avoid possible scammers and charlatans. If you want to save money, and often quite a lot of time as well, we will also give you alternative instructions on taking public transport into the city center. Details are contained in the full itinerary and mobile app available to our travelers. If on the other hand, you are arriving at Paris's third airport, Beauvais Airport (BVA), then you should always take the shuttle bus. The taxi fare might cost more than the flight - it's nearly 50 miles (75km) outside the city.
Mid-Day/Afternoon
A Jaunt Through the Tuileries Garden & Nearby Art Museums
Stroll in the Tuileries and attend one of the nearby museums, a classic way to spend your free hours in Paris. Originally cultivated in 1564 as the grounds for the Tuileries Palace, the gardens are the oldest in Paris. Its succession of royal owners ended and the garden became a public park in the 19th century; Parisians congregated to relax and socialize beside the fountains and leafy horse chestnut trees - they still do today. The Musée de l'Orangerie, in the Western corner of the gardens, exhibits many Impressionist and 20th-century artworks, including Claude Monet’s famous water lilies.
Afternoon/Late Afternoon
Survey the Lights from the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile is an enduring icon of Paris and offers a spectacular view across the city. In fact, some people say the best view of Paris is from the Arc de Triomphe, as the sweeping vista found at the top includes the Eiffel Tower. 'De l'Étoile' or 'star' refers to the junction on which the Arc de Triomphe stands. This is the meeting point of 12 straight avenues including the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, famous for its theatres, cafés, and luxury shops, and the inspiration for the catchy, eponymous song by Joe Dassin. Although this area of Paris bustles with shoppers, tourists, and commercial enterprises there is still much to explore, see, and do here, and some secret places to be found away from the crowds.
Early Evening
Cruising Along the Seine's Waters
Embark on an enchanting Seine River Boat Cruise that offers an unparalleled view of the City of Light. Glide past iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre, all while basking in Paris' famed romantic ambiance. Whether you choose a daytime voyage to admire the city in its full glory or a nighttime excursion to see Paris illuminated against the night sky, a Seine River Boat Cruise is an unforgettable highlight that offers a new perspective on the timeless beauty of Paris.
Day 1 Arrive Paris
Day 1
Arrive Paris
Airport Taxi Pick-Up
Overview
Airport Taxi Pick-Up
Upon arrival at one of Paris's Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airports, it's fairly easy to catch a taxi from outside the main terminal building to your hotel. This is cheaper than a pre-arranged private transfer, although that option is also available if you wish - just ask your consultant. Parisien taxi drivers are generally reliable and honest, but we will provide you with instructions on how to avoid possible scammers and charlatans. If you want to save money, and often quite a lot of time as well, we will also give you alternative instructions on taking public transport into the city center. Details are contained in the full itinerary and mobile app available to our travelers. If on the other hand, you are arriving at Paris's third airport, Beauvais Airport (BVA), then you should always take the shuttle bus. The taxi fare might cost more than the flight - it's nearly 50 miles (75km) outside the city.
Tuileries Gardens & Nearby Museums
Stroll in the Tuileries and attend one of the nearby museums, a classic way to spend your free hours in Paris. Originally cultivated in 1564 as the grounds for the Tuileries Palace, the gardens are the oldest in Paris. Its succession of royal owners ended and the garden became a public park in the 19th century; Parisians congregated to relax and socialize beside the fountains and leafy horse chestnut trees - they still do today. The Musée de l'Orangerie, in the Western corner of the gardens, exhibits many Impressionist and 20th-century artworks, including Claude Monet’s famous water lilies.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile is an enduring icon of Paris and offers a spectacular view across the city. In fact, some people say the best view of Paris is from the Arc de Triomphe, as the sweeping vista found at the top includes the Eiffel Tower. 'De l'Étoile' or 'star' refers to the junction on which the Arc de Triomphe stands. This is the meeting point of 12 straight avenues including the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, famous for its theatres, cafés, and luxury shops, and the inspiration for the catchy, eponymous song by Joe Dassin. Although this area of Paris bustles with shoppers, tourists, and commercial enterprises there is still much to explore, see, and do here, and some secret places to be found away from the crowds.
Seine Cruise
Embark on an enchanting Seine River Boat Cruise that offers an unparalleled view of the City of Light. Glide past iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre, all while basking in Paris' famed romantic ambiance. Whether you choose a daytime voyage to admire the city in its full glory or a nighttime excursion to see Paris illuminated against the night sky, a Seine River Boat Cruise is an unforgettable highlight that offers a new perspective on the timeless beauty of Paris.
prev
next
To Be Determined: Airport Taxi Pick-Up
Upon arrival at one of Paris's Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airports, it's fairly easy to catch a taxi from outside the main terminal building to your hotel. This is cheaper than a pre-arranged private transfer, although that option is also available if you wish - just ask your consultant. Parisien taxi drivers are generally reliable and honest, but we will provide you with instructions on how to avoid possible scammers and charlatans. If you want to save money, and often quite a lot of time as well, we will also give you alternative instructions on taking public transport into the city center. Details are contained in the full itinerary and mobile app available to our travelers. If on the other hand, you are arriving at Paris's third airport, Beauvais Airport (BVA), then you should always take the shuttle bus. The taxi fare might cost more than the flight - it's nearly 50 miles (75km) outside the city.
Stroll in the Tuileries and attend one of the nearby museums, a classic way to spend your free hours in Paris. Originally cultivated in 1564 as the grounds for the Tuileries Palace, the gardens are the oldest in Paris. Its succession of royal owners ended and the garden became a public park in the 19th century; Parisians congregated to relax and socialize beside the fountains and leafy horse chestnut trees - they still do today. The Musée de l'Orangerie, in the Western corner of the gardens, exhibits many Impressionist and 20th-century artworks, including Claude Monet’s famous water lilies.
Tuileries Garden
Relax in the beautiful Tuileries Gardens, an oasis of manicured landscapes and historic statues in the heart of Paris.
The Tuileries Gardens, located next to the Louvre Museum, offer a peaceful retreat amidst the bustling city. Originally created as the royal gardens for the Tuileries Palace in the 16th century, they represent a classic example of French garden design. Visitors can marvel at the array of statues, including works by Rodin and Maillol, stroll along its perfectly aligned trees and flowerbeds, and enjoy panoramic views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.
Museum d'Orsay
Soak it all in at the Musée d'Orsay, a former Beaux-Arts railway station transformed into a stunning showcase of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces.
The Musée d'Orsay, housed in an elegantly converted railway station, offers a world-renowned collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, featuring works by masters like Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir. Its unique architecture, with grand clocks and sweeping galleries, complements the diverse array of sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts on display. A visit to the Musée d'Orsay is not just a tour of art history, but an immersive experience in a space where the past and present merge beautifully.
Orangerie
Let your vision swim with Monet's Water Lilies and other Impressionist artwork at the Musée de l'Orangerie
The Musée de l'Orangerie, nestled in a corner of the Tuileries Gardens, exhibits the stunning "Water Lilies" series by Claude Monet. This series of large-scale paintings, designed specifically for the two oval rooms they inhabit, offers an immersive experience into Monet's impressionist vision of his garden at Giverny. Beyond Monet, the museum boasts the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection, featuring masterpieces by renowned artists such as Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Modigliani.
Afternoon/Late Afternoon: Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile is an enduring icon of Paris and offers a spectacular view across the city. In fact, some people say the best view of Paris is from the Arc de Triomphe, as the sweeping vista found at the top includes the Eiffel Tower. 'De l'Étoile' or 'star' refers to the junction on which the Arc de Triomphe stands. This is the meeting point of 12 straight avenues including the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, famous for its theatres, cafés, and luxury shops, and the inspiration for the catchy, eponymous song by Joe Dassin. Although this area of Paris bustles with shoppers, tourists, and commercial enterprises there is still much to explore, see, and do here, and some secret places to be found away from the crowds.
Arc de Triomphe
Ascend one of the most iconic monuments in the world, and view Paris from this beloved symbol of France
L' Arc is not just a symbol of French pride and triumph. Yes, this monument crowning the western end of the Champs-Élysées honors those who fought and died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic War. However, it also commorates the horrific losses of World War I with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Your visit here can be surprisingly poignant. Visitors can ascend to the top for panoramic views of the City of Lights below, whose energy somehow rotates around this reminder that there is a little sobriety in every party.
Grand Palais
Structure built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900, now a children's science museum and art gallery.
The Grand Palais, built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900, boasts a large glass and iron roof. It is home to the Palais de la Découverte science museum for children - be aware this museum only offers information in French, which greatly reduces its value to English speakers. Another wing of the building features rotating art exhibitions, which are usually curated by theme (such as The Moon or Soviet Art). Look on the website https://www.grandpalais.fr/en if you are interested in finding out what's on during your time in Paris. You may purchase tickets on site should you choose to attend.
Petit Palais
Pop in for a Rembrandt painting and discover a secret garden in one of Paris's "hidden gems".
The Petit Palais in Paris, built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, is a Beaux-Arts architectural marvel that houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. With free admission to its permanent collections, it showcases an extensive array of artworks from ancient to early 20th century, including notable pieces by Rembrandt and Courbet. Its stunning architecture, complete with a grand dome and a serene courtyard garden, makes it a cultural and visual haven. Located just off the Champs-Élysées, the Petit Palais is a key destination for art enthusiasts.
Champs-Elysées
Experience a promenade on the most famous road in the world!
Stretch your legs on the Avenue Champs-Élysées, an emblem of French prestige and elegance. On this unparalleled thoroughfare stretching from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe waits a parade of luxury shops, fine dining, and lush greenery, offering an unparalleled urban experience. On the "Champs" you can indulge in world-class shopping, savor exquisite French cuisine at chic cafés, and marvel at the architectural beauty of illustrious building.
Early Evening: Seine Cruise
Embark on an enchanting Seine River Boat Cruise that offers an unparalleled view of the City of Light. Glide past iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre, all while basking in Paris' famed romantic ambiance. Whether you choose a daytime voyage to admire the city in its full glory or a nighttime excursion to see Paris illuminated against the night sky, a Seine River Boat Cruise is an unforgettable highlight that offers a new perspective on the timeless beauty of Paris.
Day 2
Paris
Day 2
Paris
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Private Guided Walking Tour of the Center of Paris
Embark on a captivating 4-hour walking tour of the center of Paris, the City of Lights, where history and modernity blend seamlessly along its enchanting streets. Starting from Odette Pastry Shop (77 Rue Galande), you will explore the heart of this dynamic city and learn how to navigate Paris as a local.
Afternoon/Late Afternoon
Tour Paris' Heart, Notre Dame and the Île de la Cité
Discover the origins of Paris on the Ile de la Cité, it's glorious heart. The original settlement from which Paris grew overwhelms with the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Revolutionary history of the Conciergerie, the numinous kaleidoscope of Sainte-Chapelle's stained glass, and a plethora of other interesting sights. This island is a captivating blend of Parisian history and beauty, offering unforgettable experiences at every turn. A visit here traverses the river Seine and centuries, perfect for capturing the spirit of Paris.
Late Afternoon to Evening
Discover Montmartre: Paris's Bohemian Village
Montmartre, Paris's bohemian heart, where countless artists have whiled away their time, beckons with its cobblestone streets and vibrant history. Ascend the butte to find the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, a white-domed sentinel offering breathtaking views of the city below. Wander through Place du Tertre, where artists capture the essence of Paris on canvas. Delve into the nightlife at the Moulin Rouge, a testament to the area's hedonistic past. Montmartre, a blend of artistic legacy and lively modern culture, offers a captivating escape into the soul of Paris, where every corner tells a story, and every moment is a brushstroke on the canvas of the city.
Day 2 Paris
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Paris Highlights Walking Tour
Embark on a captivating 4-hour walking tour of the center of Paris, the City of Lights, where history and modernity blend seamlessly along its enchanting streets. Starting from Odette Pastry Shop (77 Rue Galande), you will explore the heart of this dynamic city and learn how to navigate Paris as a local.
Afternoon/Late Afternoon: Île de la Cité
Discover the origins of Paris on the Ile de la Cité, it's glorious heart. The original settlement from which Paris grew overwhelms with the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Revolutionary history of the Conciergerie, the numinous kaleidoscope of Sainte-Chapelle's stained glass, and a plethora of other interesting sights. This island is a captivating blend of Parisian history and beauty, offering unforgettable experiences at every turn. A visit here traverses the river Seine and centuries, perfect for capturing the spirit of Paris.
Sainte-Chapelle
It's ok, you can be dumbstruck at the incomparable stained glass of this royal chapel
The Sainte-Chapelle glows in the heart of Paris with its breathtaking stained-glass windows. Regard in awe the 15 windows, each 15m high, illustrating biblical stories in vibrant colors and intricate detail. Built in the 13th century on the Île de la Cité for Saint King Louis IX, this chapel was originally conceived to house precious Christian relics, including spines from Jesus Christ's Crown of Thorns. Visitors today, like kings and kings of yesteryear are often awestruck by the celestial light and serene ambiance that these windows transmit, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the chapel's interior. The upper chapel, in particular, offers an ethereal experience, with its towering windows and star-studded vaulted ceiling.
Conciergerie
Explore the somber past of this Gothic riverside fortress, a heart of the Great Terror that followed the French Revolution
The Conciergerie in Paris is a historic monument and former prison on the Île de la Cité, and an inflection point between France's royal and revolutionary pasts. Once part of the royal palace, but later transformed into a prison during the French Revolution, its most infamous inmate was Queen Marie Antoinette before her execution. Visitors can explore the medieval halls, the somber cells - even the Queen's own - while absorbing the tales of justice, power, and tragedy that echo through its walls. This site stands as a poignant reminder of France's turbulent history, here where the Revolutionary Tribunal sat from 1793, condemning some 2,600 persons to the guillotine.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Thrill at one of the most beautiful and recognized churches on Earth.
Gaze at the heart of Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral, as iconic to the city as it is to Gothic architecture. Standing on the Île de la Cité, this 13th-century medieval masterpiece, still boasts its stunning rose windows, flying buttresses, and sculpted facades, despite a devastating fire in 2019. The ongoing reconstruction of this center of French spirituality is captivating in itself, and people around the world await the full restoration's of this symbol's élégance, planned for December 8th, 2024.
Late Afternoon to Evening: Montmartre
Montmartre, Paris's bohemian heart, where countless artists have whiled away their time, beckons with its cobblestone streets and vibrant history. Ascend the butte to find the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, a white-domed sentinel offering breathtaking views of the city below. Wander through Place du Tertre, where artists capture the essence of Paris on canvas. Delve into the nightlife at the Moulin Rouge, a testament to the area's hedonistic past. Montmartre, a blend of artistic legacy and lively modern culture, offers a captivating escape into the soul of Paris, where every corner tells a story, and every moment is a brushstroke on the canvas of the city.
Moulin Rouge
World Famous Dinner Theater and Cabaret
The Moulin Rouge, the iconic cabaret of Paris, beckons visitors with an unforgettable evening in the City of Lights. Famous for pioneering the can-can dance, this legendary establishment has been dazzling audiences since 1889 with its extravagant performances, featuring a troupe of highly-trained dancers adorned in outrageous costumes. Dive into an evening of glamour and romance, where the spirit of Parisian nightlife comes alive amidst spectacular shows in the historic ambiance of a venue that has hosted generations of artists and admirers.
Montmartre Museum
Experience la vie bohémienne at the Montmartre museum
To peruse the charming Montmartre Museum is to experience the captivating, artistic history of bohemian Paris. Housed in a 17th-century building that once served as a studio for many notable artists, including Renoir and Raoul Dufy, the museum invites visitors to its rich collection of paintings, photographs, and memorabilia. The museum vividly brings to life the rollicking, artistic fervor that defined Montmartre at the turn of the 20th century.
L’Espace Dali
Indulge your surreality in Dalí Paris while twitching your mustache at his largest collection in France, over 300 pieces.
The Spaniard found fame in Paris in the 1920s and 30s, and developed his paranoic-critical method designed to access the sub-conscious and enhance creativity. He lived in Montmartre for a while before moving to Montparnasse. The collection here, mostly of sculpture and etchings, with titles like Space Elephant and Moses and Montheism, will have you questioning your sensibilities, or maybe Dalí's.
Sacre-Coeur Basilica
Iconic white domed church that features mosaics, stained glass windows, and a crypt
The exterior, with its domes and stark white façade, looks ancient but was finished only a century ago. In 1870 war broke out between France and Prussia. The Council that was being held in the Vatican at the time was suspended and the Pope, no longer under the protection of French troops, considered himself a prisoner within the Vatican. France was subsequently defeated and partially occupied by German troops. Alexandre Legentil and Hubert Rohault de Fleury vowed to build a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart “as reparation,” as penance for infidelity and sin for they held that the misfortunes of France had spiritual rather than political causes.
Mur des je t’aime (I Love You Wall)
A wall trying to bring a little tenderness into the world
The singer Paul Simon wrote a song "Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover," but this wall below Montmartre teaches you how to say "I love you" in 250 languages. Find the one that sounds most beautiful to you, and then practice saying it to yourself and others.
Day 3
Paris
Day 3
Paris
Morning/Mid-Day
Belle Epoque Splendour in the Paris Opéra District
Enamored with the late 19th-century, Belle-epoque Paris? Then, the Opéra area is for you. Many of the delights we now associate with the City pf Lights - fashion, can-can dancing, art nouveau architecture, opera and ballet, emanated from this part of Paris in the late 1800s. Also known as the 9th Arrondissement, this neighborhood features the Palais Garnier Opera House, the grand department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, and hidden gems of museums such as the lavish Musée Jacquemart-André.
Special Note: Be aware that the Palais Garnier Opera House routinely closes for performances during the day. Check the website calendar in advance to best plan your visit.
Mid-Day/Afternoon
Coffee, Paint, & Bones: A Tour of Montparnasse
Montparnasse grew in esthetic stature in the earlier 20th century, as artists congregated their for inexpensive living close to the center of Paris. Vestiges of this bohemian era remain, lively cafes and restaurants allude to painterly luminaries like Alphonse Mucha and Paul Gauguin. As interesting as their lives were, as busy as the neighborhood is, still more dramatic is what lies under Monparnasse: the Paris Catacombs, the final resting place of over 6 million Parisians dating back centuries.
Late Afternoon to Evening
Tour the Quaint Streets of the Latin Quarter
If you are looking for a breezy stroll through Paris, look no further than the Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement, on the Left Bank. The area’s many cafés and restaurants are laid-back and welcoming, and filled with Parisians, students, and tourists alike. There are several attractions to visit, among them the Pantheon and the Cluny Museum. As you adventure through the district you will discover the Sorbonne, one of the most illustrious universities in the world. For more visceral pleasure romp down the major shopping streets like Rue Mouffetard.
Day 3 Paris
Morning/Mid-Day: Opéra District
Enamored with the late 19th-century, Belle-epoque Paris? Then, the Opéra area is for you. Many of the delights we now associate with the City pf Lights - fashion, can-can dancing, art nouveau architecture, opera and ballet, emanated from this part of Paris in the late 1800s. Also known as the 9th Arrondissement, this neighborhood features the Palais Garnier Opera House, the grand department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, and hidden gems of museums such as the lavish Musée Jacquemart-André.
Special Note: Be aware that the Palais Garnier Opera House routinely closes for performances during the day. Check the website calendar in advance to best plan your visit.
Opera House, Palais Garnier
Tour Paris's most beautiful concert hall.
The Opera House was conceived of by Emperor Napoleon III, who endured an assassination attempt at the previous Opera House at Salle Le Peletier, prompting him to seek out a more secure opera venue in the more established and aristocratic 9th arrondissement. An evening at the opera was an important event for the upper classes, who used the occasion as an opportunity to flirt, politically align, and do business (sometimes the three were one and the same). Although architect Charles Garnier won its commission in 1860, the Opera House only opened in 1874 - a war, a siege, and a revolution later.
Galeries Lafayette
Regaling shoppers in Art Nouveau splendor since 1912
Galeries Lafayette is celebrated for its stunning Art Nouveau dome, luxury shopping, and panoramic views of the city from its rooftop terrace. It features a wide range of designer brands, a gourmet food hall, and hosts weekly fashion shows and cultural events. The department store is a blend of shopping, art, and architecture, a veritable temple of the commerce of fashion.
Fragonard Perfume Museum
A refreshing visit with hints of citrus, lavander, and bay leaf
The Fragonard Musée du Parfum, offered by the illustrious Fragonard family, offers an immersive look into the world of perfume making, from its history and the evolution of bottle design to the craftsmanship behind fragrance creation. Visitors can explore interactive workshops, smell historical and contemporary fragrances, and learn about the artistry and science of perfumes through hands-on exhibits. It's an educational and sensory experience that appeals to both enthusiasts and curious travelers.
Mid-Day/Afternoon: Montparnasse
Montparnasse grew in esthetic stature in the earlier 20th century, as artists congregated their for inexpensive living close to the center of Paris. Vestiges of this bohemian era remain, lively cafes and restaurants allude to painterly luminaries like Alphonse Mucha and Paul Gauguin. As interesting as their lives were, as busy as the neighborhood is, still more dramatic is what lies under Monparnasse: the Paris Catacombs, the final resting place of over 6 million Parisians dating back centuries.
Catacombs of Paris - Entrance
Wander the corridors of this eerie but matter-of-fact underground filled with skeletal remains.
The Catacombs of Paris offer a disturbing journey beneath the city, where millions of Parisians' remains line the ancient corridors. From the stark warning at the entrance hall, inviting visitors into the Empire of Death, to the dark depths where the Crypt of the Sepulchral Lamp casts a solemn glow, each highlight contributes to the macabre atmosphere. Notable curiosities include the artistic Barrel of Passion, and the intricately carved Sculpture of Port-Mahon, both testaments to the catacombs' dual function as a burial site and a monument to humanity's strangeness.
Bourdelle Museum
Immerse yourself in this a hidden treasure of Parisian art, the original atelier of celebrated sculptor, Antoine Bourdelle.
The Antoine Bourdelle Museum, set in the artist's former studio in Montparnasse, showcases an impressive collection of his sculptures, paintings, and drawings. Here, visitors can experience the authentic atmosphere of Bourdelle's creative space and enjoy the serene garden, which displays his monumental works in bronze and marble. This intimate museum offers a unique glimpse into the artistic process of one of France's great sculptors.
Fondation Cartier
Supporting contemporary art in many luxurious ways
Confront your artistic sensibilities, or maybe just luxuriate at the Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain, a cornerstone of contemporary art. Housed in an architectural masterpiece by Jean Nouvel that blends verdant surroundings with glass and steel, it showcases diverse exhibitions of both renowned and emerging global artists, alongside commissioned site-specific works. Contemplate today's masterpieces in the foundation's lush garden, designed by Lothar Baumgarten, that acts as a living art installation, complementing cultural programs like concerts, lectures, and the unique "Nomadic Nights" series.
Montparnasse Tower
Get a different perspective from Paris' modern skyscraper
The Montparnasse Tower remains one of Paris' few traditional skyscrapers and with its rare standing offers an unparalleled vantage point from its 56th floor and rooftop terrace. Rising to a height of 210 meters, it punctuates the Parisian skyline and provides breathtaking 360-degree views that stretch out over the city, from the winding Seine to the majestic Eiffel Tower and beyond. Visitors can ascend this towering skyscraper to witness the beauty of Paris from above, capturing the essence of the city's layout and landmarks in a single glance.
Late Afternoon to Evening: Latin Quarter
If you are looking for a breezy stroll through Paris, look no further than the Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement, on the Left Bank. The area’s many cafés and restaurants are laid-back and welcoming, and filled with Parisians, students, and tourists alike. There are several attractions to visit, among them the Pantheon and the Cluny Museum. As you adventure through the district you will discover the Sorbonne, one of the most illustrious universities in the world. For more visceral pleasure romp down the major shopping streets like Rue Mouffetard.
Musée de Cluny
Step back into the Middle Ages at the Musée de Cluny in Paris, where ancient art and history come alive
The Musée de Cluny, officially known as the Musée National du Moyen Âge, is a hidden gem located in the Latin Quarter of Paris. This museum, housed in a 15th-century abbey, showcases a remarkable collection of medieval art, including the famous "Lady and the Unicorn" tapestry series. The museum also contains a variety of sculptures, stained glass, and artifacts that illuminate the richness of medieval culture. Its unique blend of architectural styles, from ancient Roman baths to Gothic structures, makes it a captivating journey through time and an essential destination for those fascinated by the medieval era.
Sorbonne University
Ponder along with the greats from Aquinas to Foucault and back in one of the greatest universities in the world
Put on your thinking caps and visit the Sorbonne, a beacon of intellectual achievement in the heart of the Latin Quarter that embodies centuries of academic excellence. This prestigious university, founded in the 13th century, is the source of many world-changing theories and theorists. Wander through its historic courtyards and grand lecture halls, where some of the world's most brilliant minds have studied and taught. The Sorbonne is not just a place of learning; it's a symbol of the enduring relationship between Paris and the pursuit of knowledge.
Panthéon
Guarding the remains of some of France's greatest luminaries in typical French splendour.
Pay tribute to intellectual and artistic founders of modern France at the Panthéon, a neoclassical building in the Latin Quarter, originally a church and now a mausoleum for France's eminent personalities like Voltaire and Marie Curie. Known for its imposing architectural beauty, it features significant art, sculptures, and the famous Foucault's pendulum. Beyond its role as a tribute to French intellectual and cultural heritage, the Panthéon offers visitors stunning views of Paris from its dome, blending historical exploration with scenic beauty.
National Museum of Natural History
Peruse the wonders of the natural world at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, a treasure trove of biodiversity.
Nestled in the Jardin des Plantes, the National Museum of Natural History is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. Founded in the 17th century, it boasts a rich collection that spans paleontology, mineralogy, and botany. The museum is renowned for its Gallery of Evolution, showcasing thousands of animal specimens in a grand, historic setting, and provides a unique insight into the diversity and complexity of life on Earth, making it a notable and educational experience for all ages.
Day 4 Train: 4.5h
Paris to Amsterdam
Day 4 Train: 4.5h
Paris to Amsterdam
10:50 AM
Taxi to Paris Rail Station
Paris traffic can be heavy and unpredictable, so we recommend leaving for the station with plenty of time to spare. Taxis in Paris are generally reliable and often more economical than pre-arranged private transfers. Gare du Nord is a large and busy station, and if you are traveling on Eurostar, you should allow additional time for check-in, security screening, and passport controls. Below, we provide instructions to help you find your way through the station and locate your train.
12:25 - 16:44
Rail Journey from Paris to Amsterdam
Tickets and seat reservations for this approximately 3h20min rail journey from Paris to Amsterdam are included in the purchase of the itinerary package. Detailed directions and instructions that make the trip easy and stress-free are also included in the Full Itinerary.
4:44 PM
Arrival and Transfer by Taxi or Public Transport
Most trains arrive in Amsterdam Central Station (Centraal) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and trams pick up directly in front of the station at the main entrance (on the Centrum side of the station). You'll also find an entrance to the Metro just outside the main entrance. You won't, however, find taxis or Uber drivers in front of the main entrance, as it is a pedestrian zone. Instead, taxis can be found on the Ij-zijde (waterside) to the left of the Western tunnel. Simply look at the overhead signs that indicate the direction. If in any doubt, follow the ferry symbols.
Early Evening/Evening
Get a Grip on Grachtengordel
The Grachtengordel, or Canal Ring, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that embodies Amsterdam’s 17th-century architecture and urban planning. Created during the Dutch Golden Age, this historic network of canals is lined with elegant merchant houses and picturesque bridges that reflect the city’s prosperous past. The western Canal Ring is also home to the Anne Frank House, one of Amsterdam’s most important and moving historic sites. Today, the district is filled with cafés, galleries, and boutiques, making it essential to understanding both Amsterdam’s past and present.
Day 4 Train: 4.5hParis to Amsterdam
10:50 AM: Taxi to Rail Station
Paris traffic can be heavy and unpredictable, so we recommend leaving for the station with plenty of time to spare. Taxis in Paris are generally reliable and often more economical than pre-arranged private transfers. Gare du Nord is a large and busy station, and if you are traveling on Eurostar, you should allow additional time for check-in, security screening, and passport controls. Below, we provide instructions to help you find your way through the station and locate your train.
12:25 - 16:44: Train to Amsterdam
Tickets and seat reservations for this approximately 3h20min rail journey from Paris to Amsterdam are included in the purchase of the itinerary package. Detailed directions and instructions that make the trip easy and stress-free are also included in the Full Itinerary.
4:44 PM: Taxi Transfer from Rail Station
Most trains arrive in Amsterdam Central Station (Centraal) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and trams pick up directly in front of the station at the main entrance (on the Centrum side of the station). You'll also find an entrance to the Metro just outside the main entrance. You won't, however, find taxis or Uber drivers in front of the main entrance, as it is a pedestrian zone. Instead, taxis can be found on the Ij-zijde (waterside) to the left of the Western tunnel. Simply look at the overhead signs that indicate the direction. If in any doubt, follow the ferry symbols.
Early Evening/Evening: Grachtengordel
The Grachtengordel, or Canal Ring, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that embodies Amsterdam’s 17th-century architecture and urban planning. Created during the Dutch Golden Age, this historic network of canals is lined with elegant merchant houses and picturesque bridges that reflect the city’s prosperous past. The western Canal Ring is also home to the Anne Frank House, one of Amsterdam’s most important and moving historic sites. Today, the district is filled with cafés, galleries, and boutiques, making it essential to understanding both Amsterdam’s past and present.
Westerkerk
Visit Rembrandt's burial place in this Renaissance-era Protestant church with a crown-topped spire.
Westerkerk, in English, the Western Church, is is the most largest and most important church in the city. Built between 1619 to 1631, the church and its bell tower – the Westerkerk Tower – are often regarded as the symbol of the city. Come visit Westerkerk, if only to pay respects to that great master, the painter Rembrandt. Although technically a part of the canal ring, both the church and Anne Frank House are often described as a part of the Jordaan district as well. Since both these highlights rest on right on the border, it is the perfect starting point to explore either neighborhood!
Amsterdam Anne Frank House
Learn about one life of six million lives
The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam stands as a poignant tribute to the young Jewish girl who, along with her family, hid from Nazi persecution during World War II. Visitors are invited to explore the secret annex where Anne penned her now-famous diary, offering a deeply moving glimpse into the struggles faced during one of history's darkest periods.
Day 5
Amsterdam
Day 5
Amsterdam
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Privately Guided Walking Tour of Amsterdam
Enjoy an introduction to Amsterdam with this 4-hour private guided walking tour. After picking you up from your hotel, your professional guide will lead you past many of the city's highlights, including its center, as well as the Jordaan, the Grachtengordel, and the infamous Red-Light District. The guide will explain how all these feature in the city's history and contemporary life. Your guide will be happy to share some great tips for the rest of your stay.
Afternoon/Late Afternoon
Experience the Pleasures of Old Town
The basis of the old joke that 'God created Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands' can best be seen in the horseshoe-shaped old center of Amsterdam where the early inhabitants reclaimed much of their city from the sea and built the perfectly straight canals to keep the new land dry. Most of the picture-perfect gabled houses still retain their winch beams and hooks for hauling goods to the attic. These days its most renown historic buildings share space with Amsterdam's famous Red Light District.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening
Explore the Lively Streets of the Jordaan Neighborhood
The Jordaan district beckons with its narrow streets and quaint canals, epitomizing the charm and history of Amsterdam. Originally a working-class neighborhood established in the 17th century, Jordaan has evolved into one of Amsterdam's most sought-after areas. Known for its bohemian vibe, the district boasts an array of art galleries, unique shops, and cozy cafes, alongside traditional cafés and indie music venues. The Jordaan is also famous for its outdoor markets, such as the Noordermarkt, where locals and tourists alike browse for organic food, vintage clothes, and antiques. The area's historical architecture, including beautifully restored houses and hidden courtyards, provides a picturesque backdrop for leisurely walks.
Evening
Dining Out in Amsterdam's Oost District
Eating out in Amsterdam Oost district has never been more popular as it is now, with all its new hotspots. There are so many great options for food and drinks that any foodie will see this district as it is …the place to be! Whether you are looking for fine dining for a family dinner or a great burger for lunch, you can find everything here, from a quick bite to an Instagrammable spot for brunch.
Oost has its charm, a district with a nice mixture of everything: busy streets, green parks, historical boroughs or modern cultural gems and of course everything is very diverse and colorful. The neighborhood is continuously developing and is an ideal place to witness the city's lifestyle. Oost is where the first movements in Amsterdam started – a once shady Javastraat is full of the most exciting bars, restaurants, and places to hang out. In Oost, you can find a good mix of different cultures, brown cafes, hip hotspots, and young creatives.
Day 5 Amsterdam
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Highlights Walking Tour
Enjoy an introduction to Amsterdam with this 4-hour private guided walking tour. After picking you up from your hotel, your professional guide will lead you past many of the city's highlights, including its center, as well as the Jordaan, the Grachtengordel, and the infamous Red-Light District. The guide will explain how all these feature in the city's history and contemporary life. Your guide will be happy to share some great tips for the rest of your stay.
Afternoon/Late Afternoon: Old Town
The basis of the old joke that 'God created Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands' can best be seen in the horseshoe-shaped old center of Amsterdam where the early inhabitants reclaimed much of their city from the sea and built the perfectly straight canals to keep the new land dry. Most of the picture-perfect gabled houses still retain their winch beams and hooks for hauling goods to the attic. These days its most renown historic buildings share space with Amsterdam's famous Red Light District.
Koninklijk Paleis
Yes, the Dutch Have Royalty, and You Can Often Visit Their Home.
Amsterdam's Royal Palace, originally built as the city hall in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, stands majestically in Dam Square. Renowned for its classical architecture and opulent interiors, the palace serves as one of the King's official residences and is used for state visits, awards ceremonies, and other official functions. Its rich history and architectural grandeur, including lavish rooms and intricate sculptures, reflect Amsterdam's past prominence and wealth.
Jewish Museum
Examine hundreds of years of stories and histories.
The Jewish Museum (until recently known as the Jewish Historical Museum) is set in Amsterdam's former Jewish Quarter in four 17th-century synagogues. It delves into Jewish traditions, religion, and contributions to Dutch society. It features artifacts, personal Holocaust stories, and interactive exhibits, highlighting Amsterdam's Jewish heritage and its impact on the Netherlands. This museum fosters understanding and dialogue, making it vital for anyone interested in exploring Jewish history and culture.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Jordaan
The Jordaan district beckons with its narrow streets and quaint canals, epitomizing the charm and history of Amsterdam. Originally a working-class neighborhood established in the 17th century, Jordaan has evolved into one of Amsterdam's most sought-after areas. Known for its bohemian vibe, the district boasts an array of art galleries, unique shops, and cozy cafes, alongside traditional cafés and indie music venues. The Jordaan is also famous for its outdoor markets, such as the Noordermarkt, where locals and tourists alike browse for organic food, vintage clothes, and antiques. The area's historical architecture, including beautifully restored houses and hidden courtyards, provides a picturesque backdrop for leisurely walks.
Westerkerk
Visit Rembrandt's burial place in this Renaissance-era Protestant church with a crown-topped spire.
Westerkerk, in English, the Western Church, is is the most largest and most important church in the city. Built between 1619 to 1631, the church and its bell tower – the Westerkerk Tower – are often regarded as the symbol of the city. Come visit Westerkerk, if only to pay respects to that great master, the painter Rembrandt. Although technically a part of the canal ring, both the church and Anne Frank House are often described as a part of the Jordaan district as well. Since both these highlights rest on right on the border, it is the perfect starting point to explore either neighborhood!
Noorderkerk
Visit this beautiful 17th-century Protestant church built for the common folk of Jordaan.
Besides functioning as an active community, the church serves as one of the city’s most beautiful event venues. Built in the years 1620–1623 to serve the rapidly growing population of the Jordaan neighborhood, the Noorderkerk became the church for the common people. The classical appearance of the church and excellent acoustics make it well suited for a variety of events, including receptions, small conferences, meetings, fashion shows, concerts, and more.
Lindengracht Market
There's something for all tastes at the Lindengracht Market
Lindengracht, which translates into the Lindentree Canal in English, was filled in 1895 and has been turned into a wide street with two rows of linden trees in the middle. This market, more than 900 meters long and offering a large variety of products, was held for the first time in 1894. Now, each Saturday, 232 market stands are erected along the whole street. Together with the nearby Farmer’s Market on the Nordermarkt, (both open on Saturday); Lindenmarkt is probably the best food market in Amsterdam. Local in nature, the market, and its many stalls feature cheeses, fresh fish, and beautiful bouquets.
Evening: Oost District Dining
Eating out in Amsterdam Oost district has never been more popular as it is now, with all its new hotspots. There are so many great options for food and drinks that any foodie will see this district as it is …the place to be! Whether you are looking for fine dining for a family dinner or a great burger for lunch, you can find everything here, from a quick bite to an Instagrammable spot for brunch.
Oost has its charm, a district with a nice mixture of everything: busy streets, green parks, historical boroughs or modern cultural gems and of course everything is very diverse and colorful. The neighborhood is continuously developing and is an ideal place to witness the city's lifestyle. Oost is where the first movements in Amsterdam started – a once shady Javastraat is full of the most exciting bars, restaurants, and places to hang out. In Oost, you can find a good mix of different cultures, brown cafes, hip hotspots, and young creatives.
Day 6
Amsterdam
Day 6
Amsterdam
Morning to Afternoon
Self-Guided Tour of Haarlem
Haarlem, only a short 20-minute train ride away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam, is celebrated for its medieval architecture, cultural vibrancy, and historical significance as North Holland's capital. Home to the majestic Grote Kerk, the city's Grote Markt serves as a focal point surrounded by historical buildings. Famous for its contribution to the 17th-century tulip mania and picturesque canals, Haarlem offers a blend of art, history, and natural beauty, making it an enriching visit with a quiet charm.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Canal Cruise in Amsterdam
A canal cruise is one of the best ways to discover Amsterdam! A 1-hour tour includes many of Amsterdam's most famous monuments and memorials. Starting from the dock near the Anne Frank House, you will float along the impressive Unesco Heritage Golden Age canals of Amsterdam, and pass the Jordaan neighborhood known for its famous Prinsengracht (Princes' Canal). Spy the romantic Magere Brug, the Amstel river, the 7 bridges, and the important Golden Bend before returning to land.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening
Tour of Old Jewish Quarter
At the time of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, Amsterdam had about 75-80,000 Jews living in the just the city alone. The Old Jewish Quarter is home to several museums that memorialize the 104,000 Dutch Jews who lost their lives along with those who made it through and whose families live in the country today. You can explore the Portuguese Synagogue, learn about Jewish culture at the Jewish History Museum, and pay respects at the National Holocaust Museum and Memorial.
Day 6 Amsterdam
Morning to Afternoon: Haarlem, Self-Guided
Haarlem, only a short 20-minute train ride away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam, is celebrated for its medieval architecture, cultural vibrancy, and historical significance as North Holland's capital. Home to the majestic Grote Kerk, the city's Grote Markt serves as a focal point surrounded by historical buildings. Famous for its contribution to the 17th-century tulip mania and picturesque canals, Haarlem offers a blend of art, history, and natural beauty, making it an enriching visit with a quiet charm.
Teylers Museum
Enlighten Yourself with a Wise Visit to this Enlightenment Museum
The Teylers Museum in Haarlem, Netherlands, is a remarkable journey back into the Age of Enlightenment, where art and science converge in the oldest museum in the country. Established in 1784, it houses an eclectic collection ranging from rare books and fossils to historical scientific instruments and works by great masters like Michelangelo and Rembrandt. The museum's unique atmosphere is enhanced by its preserved 18th-century interior, offering visitors a genuine experience of stepping back in time.
Windmill De Adriaan
Enjoy this quintessential windmill in Haarlem...
... And the story of its place in the hearts of locals. Windmill De Adriaan, perched on the banks of the River Spaarne in Haarlem, is a striking landmark that offers a glimpse into Dutch windmill engineering since its original construction in 1779. Though it was rebuilt in 2002 after a devastating fire decades before, De Adriaan retains its historic charm and functionality, demonstrating traditional milling techniques used for various purposes, including producing paint, tobacco, and flour. Visitors can explore the interior through guided tours, learning about the windmill's mechanics and its role in Dutch culture and industry.
Grote Kerk, Zwolle
A Swell Tower and Church in Zwolle
The Grote Kerk (St. Michael's Church) in Zwolle, notable for its late Gothic architecture, dates back to the 15th century. Though its tower was aimed to outdo Utrecht's Dom Tower, it remains unfinished thanks to a series of lightning strikes. The church's interior features a carved pulpit, an ornate organ, and beautiful stained glass windows. The church has indirectly given Zwolle's inhabitants their nickname, Blauwvingers (Bluefingers). For once, a Dutch story that doesn't reward frugality.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Canal Cruise
A canal cruise is one of the best ways to discover Amsterdam! A 1-hour tour includes many of Amsterdam's most famous monuments and memorials. Starting from the dock near the Anne Frank House, you will float along the impressive Unesco Heritage Golden Age canals of Amsterdam, and pass the Jordaan neighborhood known for its famous Prinsengracht (Princes' Canal). Spy the romantic Magere Brug, the Amstel river, the 7 bridges, and the important Golden Bend before returning to land.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Old Jewish Quarter
At the time of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, Amsterdam had about 75-80,000 Jews living in the just the city alone. The Old Jewish Quarter is home to several museums that memorialize the 104,000 Dutch Jews who lost their lives along with those who made it through and whose families live in the country today. You can explore the Portuguese Synagogue, learn about Jewish culture at the Jewish History Museum, and pay respects at the National Holocaust Museum and Memorial.
Jewish Museum
Examine hundreds of years of stories and histories.
The Jewish Museum (until recently known as the Jewish Historical Museum) is set in Amsterdam's former Jewish Quarter in four 17th-century synagogues. It delves into Jewish traditions, religion, and contributions to Dutch society. It features artifacts, personal Holocaust stories, and interactive exhibits, highlighting Amsterdam's Jewish heritage and its impact on the Netherlands. This museum fosters understanding and dialogue, making it vital for anyone interested in exploring Jewish history and culture.
Portuguese Synagogue
Take a moment in this active synagogue to learn about this historic building
The Portuguese Synagogue, located in the heart of Amsterdam, is a magnificent testament to the city's rich Jewish heritage. Known for its 17th-century architecture, this grand edifice stands as one of the most important legacies of the Jewish community that once flourished in Amsterdam. The synagogue's spacious interior expresses timeless tranquility and spiritual depth. Notable for its historical and cultural significance, the synagogue also houses an extensive library and archives, making it a center for Jewish learning and heritage.
Holocaust Museum
Remember and Learn
The Dutch National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam offers an in-depth look at the Holocaust's effects in the Netherlands. Located in the Jewish Cultural Quarter, it combines personal stories with artifacts to highlight Dutch Jews' experiences during World War II, focusing on themes of resistance, persecution, and survival. The museum acts as both a memorial and an educational resource, promoting tolerance and awareness of human rights issues. It's essential for understanding the Holocaust's impact on Dutch society.
Day 7 Train: 6h
Amsterdam to Berlin
Day 7 Train: 6h
Amsterdam to Berlin
6:55 AM
Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport
Most trains depart from Amsterdam Central Station (Centraal) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. Trams and the metro deliver you to the main entrance of the station. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Uber is also available for those with the app.
There is not such convenient access by car to the Central Station, but your taxi driver will nonetheless be able to drop you off on the lakeside side of the station. To get to the platforms you need to swipe the bar code on your train ticket on the small screen on the automatic gates. The main entry tunnel, as well as two other tunnels, lead you to the station platforms.
07:59 - 13:51
Rail to Berlin
This approximately 6.5-hour rail journey will take you through the Dutch countryside and the German states of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Brandenburg before reaching Berlin. The scenery along the way is not dramatic, but nonetheless the fertile farmlands, tidy forests, and charming towns and villages of the Netherlands and Germany make for a pleasant and scenic journey.
1:51 PM
Transfer from Rail Station by Taxi
Most trains arrive in Berlin Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. The station is well connected by public transport to all of central Berlin; U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and bus all service the station. This means public transport is often the fastest and easiest way of reaching the station. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so if you prefer the convenience of not carrying your bags on public transport, they are a good option. Uber is also a good option, and some private transfers even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags.
Late Afternoon to Evening
The TV Tower and Berlin's East German & Medieval Legacies
The Television Tower and its surroundings in Alexanderplatz are Berlin's main architectural monument to the former East Germany. Despite the high-rent stores and offices that now fill the buildings, you can still detect quite a bit of that old communist character. Somewhat ironically, you'll find the medieval Nikolaiviertel, the oldest residential area of Berlin, just a few steps away. You'll also find nearby the Marienkirche (Berlin's oldest parish church), the displaced Neptune Fountain, the Red Town Hall, statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and the massive Loxx model railway that even non-model train enthusiasts will gasp at.
Day 7 Train: 6hAmsterdam to Berlin
6:55 AM: Transfer to Rail Station
Most trains depart from Amsterdam Central Station (Centraal) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. Trams and the metro deliver you to the main entrance of the station. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Uber is also available for those with the app.
There is not such convenient access by car to the Central Station, but your taxi driver will nonetheless be able to drop you off on the lakeside side of the station. To get to the platforms you need to swipe the bar code on your train ticket on the small screen on the automatic gates. The main entry tunnel, as well as two other tunnels, lead you to the station platforms.
07:59 - 13:51: Rail Journey from Amsterdam to Berlin
This approximately 6.5-hour rail journey will take you through the Dutch countryside and the German states of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Brandenburg before reaching Berlin. The scenery along the way is not dramatic, but nonetheless the fertile farmlands, tidy forests, and charming towns and villages of the Netherlands and Germany make for a pleasant and scenic journey.
1:51 PM: Taxi from Rail Station
Most trains arrive in Berlin Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. The station is well connected by public transport to all of central Berlin; U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and bus all service the station. This means public transport is often the fastest and easiest way of reaching the station. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so if you prefer the convenience of not carrying your bags on public transport, they are a good option. Uber is also a good option, and some private transfers even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags.
Late Afternoon to Evening: TV Tower & Old Berlin
The Television Tower and its surroundings in Alexanderplatz are Berlin's main architectural monument to the former East Germany. Despite the high-rent stores and offices that now fill the buildings, you can still detect quite a bit of that old communist character. Somewhat ironically, you'll find the medieval Nikolaiviertel, the oldest residential area of Berlin, just a few steps away. You'll also find nearby the Marienkirche (Berlin's oldest parish church), the displaced Neptune Fountain, the Red Town Hall, statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and the massive Loxx model railway that even non-model train enthusiasts will gasp at.
Television Tower
Soar to the top of this iconic symbol of Berlin in just 40 seconds, and enjoy amazing views from its observation deck.
The 1960s TV Tower (Fernsehturm) is possibly the best surviving example of East Germany’s architectural legacy. In total, it is 1,197 feet tall (368 meters), but you can only go 666 ft to the observation deck, or a bit higher if you have a ticket to the revolving Sphere Restaurant. You ascend in one of two 10-person elevators that take a mere 40 seconds to reach the observation deck.
DDR Museum
Experience life in Communist East Germany in this interactive museum.
This brilliantly evocative and interactive museum helps visitors imagine what life under the Communist East German regime was like. A homage to Ostalgie (nostalgia for East Germany), it offers up memories of the school system, pioneer camps (something like Communist scouts), and the wonderfully clumsy attempts to rival Western clothing and food fashions. It'd all be adorable, if it weren't so oppressive.
Nikolaikirche
Visit the beautifully restored medieval Gothic church which gave the surrounding neighborhood its name.
Dating all the way back to the earliest days of Berlin, this church was probably built just after Berlin was granted town privileges. An unusual feature of its interior is the bright colouring of the vault ribbings: the orange, purple, green and other vivid lines look like a 1960s Pop Art addition, but actually follow a medieval pattern discovered by a 1980s restorer.
Nikolaiviertel
Escape to Berlin's medieval past in this reconstructed historic district.
The Nikolaiviertel or St. Nicholas Quarter is Berlin's oldest residential area. With its medieval lanes and numerous restaurants and bars, it was a favorite haunt of the artistically-minded in the years before WWII, but that war left it a devastated wasteland. In the 1980's the East German regime attempted a renovation of the neighborhood based on historical models, but the “old Berlin” illusion is not all entirely convincing. The use of East German construction techniques is glaringly obvious in some places, such as prefabricated gables and corrugated concrete panels. As a result, it was scornfully nicknamed “Honecker's Disneyland” after the former East German leader, but today it is a historic curiousity in its own right.
Day 8
Berlin
Day 8
Berlin
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour
On this 3 hour tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Berlin and help you understand what makes this city so unique. Sites visited will include the boulevard Unter den Linden, the Gendarmenmarkt, Check Point Charlie, remnants of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, the Holocaust Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Reichstag.
Mid-Day/Afternoon
Berlin's Most Iconic Sights
Many of Berlin’s most iconic symbols are found within a short walk of each other. Most famous of all is the Brandenburg Gate. First built as a symbol of peace, it became a symbol of division during the Cold War. A few steps away stands the Reichstag, which was destroyed in the climax of World War II but which has been beautifully rebuilt with a glass dome. Meanwhile, the modernistic Sony Center also symbolizes a revitalized and rebuilt Berlin. Also close by is the sobering Holocaust Memorial, with its more than 2700 concrete slabs creating an ominous impression of loss. Just beyond it is another reminder of Germany's darkest period - the site of Hitler's bunker during the seige of Berlin.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening
Stroll the Kurfürstendamm in West Berlin
In the 1920's the elegant, tree-line boulevard known as the Kurfürstendamm was the center of Berlin's nightlife and leisure scene, attracting writers, film stars, and artists. WWII left it in ruins, and today at the end of the boulevard you'll discover a chilling reminder of that destruction: the purposefully unrecontructed remains of the Memorial Church. During the Cold War, the Kurfürstendamm and its surroundings were central to West Berlin's revitalized identity. This was perhaps best symbolized by the famous KaDeWe, the gigantic department store which served as a symbol of market capitalism lodged in the heart of the Iron Curtain.
Early Evening/Evening
The East Side Gallery & Hip Berlin: Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain
Kreuzberg was a rough, poor area in West Berlin until students, artists, and immigrants began moving there for the cheap rents. Over time it became Berlin’s most hip and happening district, filled with cafes, restaurants, and bars. After 1989, Friedrichshain, a grungy, working-class district just across the river in the former East Berlin, began to compete with Kreuzberg as Berlin's trendiest neighborhood. It's also home to the East Side Gallery, the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.
Day 8 Berlin
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Guided Walking Tour of Berlin
On this 3 hour tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Berlin and help you understand what makes this city so unique. Sites visited will include the boulevard Unter den Linden, the Gendarmenmarkt, Check Point Charlie, remnants of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, the Holocaust Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Reichstag.
Brandenburg Gate
Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate
The Brandenburg Gate was built as a symbol of peace, perverted into a symbol of power by the Nazis, and became a symbol of division during the Cold War. Now, however, it is a symbol of reunification. Completed in 1791, it was topped by the quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses driven by the goddess of peace. Napoleon seized the quadriga as a spoil of war, but after his defeat, it was returned to the city and met by cheering crowds along the way, transforming the goddess of peace into a goddess of victory, holding a Germanic cross.
Reichstag
Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.
Officially, the Reichstag is actually the Bundestag, which means the federal parliament. The Reichstag was reduced to a ruined shell by arson in 1933 and by World War II fighting, but it was rebuilt with a striking egg-shaped glass dome. Visitors are given a free audio guide that discusses the building’s history and architecture, while also orientating you to the sites of Berlin. It is an excellent introduction to the city. Note that it is usually necessary to book well in advance!
Mid-Day/Afternoon: Iconic Berlin
Many of Berlin’s most iconic symbols are found within a short walk of each other. Most famous of all is the Brandenburg Gate. First built as a symbol of peace, it became a symbol of division during the Cold War. A few steps away stands the Reichstag, which was destroyed in the climax of World War II but which has been beautifully rebuilt with a glass dome. Meanwhile, the modernistic Sony Center also symbolizes a revitalized and rebuilt Berlin. Also close by is the sobering Holocaust Memorial, with its more than 2700 concrete slabs creating an ominous impression of loss. Just beyond it is another reminder of Germany's darkest period - the site of Hitler's bunker during the seige of Berlin.
Brandenburg Gate
Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate
The Brandenburg Gate was built as a symbol of peace, perverted into a symbol of power by the Nazis, and became a symbol of division during the Cold War. Now, however, it is a symbol of reunification. Completed in 1791, it was topped by the quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses driven by the goddess of peace. Napoleon seized the quadriga as a spoil of war, but after his defeat, it was returned to the city and met by cheering crowds along the way, transforming the goddess of peace into a goddess of victory, holding a Germanic cross.
Reichstag
Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.
Officially, the Reichstag is actually the Bundestag, which means the federal parliament. The Reichstag was reduced to a ruined shell by arson in 1933 and by World War II fighting, but it was rebuilt with a striking egg-shaped glass dome. Visitors are given a free audio guide that discusses the building’s history and architecture, while also orientating you to the sites of Berlin. It is an excellent introduction to the city. Note that it is usually necessary to book well in advance!
Sony Center
Check out the futuristic and ground-breaking Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz.
The visually dramatic and future-aesthetic Sony Center is a complex of entertainment, shopping, and office buildings surrounding a plaza canopied by a tentlike glass roof with supporting beams radiating out like bicycle spokes. It also integrates rare relics from Potsdamer Platz's prewar era, such as the opulent Kaisersaal – a fragment of the luxurious pre-war Esplanade Hotel.
Holocaust Memorial
Wander amongst 2,711 columns forming a vast mazelike Holocaust memorial.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It consists of a 19,000 square meter site with over 2700 concrete slabs that grow larger and more ominous as you approach the center of the monument. Beneath the monument lies an information center.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: City West
In the 1920's the elegant, tree-line boulevard known as the Kurfürstendamm was the center of Berlin's nightlife and leisure scene, attracting writers, film stars, and artists. WWII left it in ruins, and today at the end of the boulevard you'll discover a chilling reminder of that destruction: the purposefully unrecontructed remains of the Memorial Church. During the Cold War, the Kurfürstendamm and its surroundings were central to West Berlin's revitalized identity. This was perhaps best symbolized by the famous KaDeWe, the gigantic department store which served as a symbol of market capitalism lodged in the heart of the Iron Curtain.
Memorial Church
Remind yourself of war's destructiveness by visiting the ruins of this church destroyed during WWII.
After its destruction in WWII, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was partially rebuilt in modernist style, and partially left in ruins as a powerful reminder of the war. Built-in the 1890s, Kaiser Wilhelm II hoped to inspire the secular proletariat to return to traditional religious values. The neo-Gothic design became ever more colorful as Wilhelm insisted on more bling. The small exhibition inside shows the wartime destruction and a “before and after” model of the city center.
Story of Berlin Museum
Take an interactive crash course in Berlin history. (Re-opening Autumn 2021)
This museum uses reconstructed street scapes, homes, and other interactive exibits to give you good feeling for the atmosphere of Berlin during it's long and often times turbulent history, including during the Nazi and Communist era. You can also tour an underground nuclear shelter.
Berlin Zoo
Visit Germany's Oldest and Best Known Zoo.
Founded in 1844, the Zoologischer Garten Berlin was the first zoo in Germany and features some wonderful animal-inspired architecture as well. The original animals were donated by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and it now has a collection of around 20,500 animals representing 1,500 different species. The zoo’s aquarium opened in 1913 and now contains one of the largest collections of aquatic life in Europe.
KaDeWe
Shop in the iconic department store of capitalist West Berlin
Opened in 1907, the Kaufhaus des Westens, or KaDeWe, quickly became a temple of luxury in a rapidly modernising city. It took off again following the German post-war economic miracle and gained new impetus again following German reunification. During Communism, due to it's proximity to East Germany, it became a symbol of the material wealth of the West in comparison to that of countries stuck behind the Iron Curtain.
Early Evening/Evening: East Side Gallery
Kreuzberg was a rough, poor area in West Berlin until students, artists, and immigrants began moving there for the cheap rents. Over time it became Berlin’s most hip and happening district, filled with cafes, restaurants, and bars. After 1989, Friedrichshain, a grungy, working-class district just across the river in the former East Berlin, began to compete with Kreuzberg as Berlin's trendiest neighborhood. It's also home to the East Side Gallery, the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.
Oberbaumbrücke
Cross between the ultra-hip neighborhoods of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg on this picturesque double-decked bridge.
This bridge over the River Spree is used by cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, also carries a line of the U-Bahn. It was built to resemble the distinct style of brick Gothic, which was popular in northern Germany in the middle ages. It also possesses two decorative towers which symbolize the historic importance of the site, when it served as a gateway into the city.
East Side Gallery
Admire the street art as you walk the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.
Painted with graffiti art, the East Side gallery is considered the world’s largest and longest open-air art gallery in the world, with over 100 graffiti murals set along the Spree river. One of the most famous murals is the controversial and oft-depicted “My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love”, which shows former Communist leaders Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kissing.
Berghain
Try to get into Berlin's most famous nightclub.
Located in an abandoned power plant, and with space for more than 1,500 guests, you might think it is easy to get into this club. But in reality it's still quite tough to make it inside. While the harsh, industrial interior is dominated by steel and concrete, the club has a reputation for sensuousness and hedonism.
Day 9
Berlin
Day 9
Berlin
Morning
Wander the Tiergarten and Climb the Victory Column
Once the hunting ground of the Prussian kings, the Tiergarten is Berlin’s most famous and expansive park. It is a wonderful escape from urban stress located in the very center of the city. You will discover beautiful forests, fields, and ponds, all easily reached through an extensive and well maintained network of trails. Some of Berlin's favorite beer gardens are also located in the park.
Mid-Day/Afternoon
Explore the Museum Island
This island in the River Spree is home to five world-renowned museums, which could easily fill up a whole trip just by themselves. The island is covered in trees and green lawns, while the classically-inspired architecture of the museums can be enjoyed without even stepping inside. Unfortunately, the biggest star of the island, the Pergamon Museum, with its wholly reconstructed ancient buildings, is closed until 2026 for renovations. However, you can still visit a massive 360-panorama depicting the ancient city of Pergamon, and there's still more museums to visit than you could possibly fit in. Also to be found on and around Museum Island are the majestic Berliner Dom cathedral and the huge Berlin Palace.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening
Exploring Hidden Courtyards & Jewish History
With booming 19th-century population growth, nearly every unoccupied space in Berlin was filled by tenement buildings surrounding small courtyards. The Spandauer Vorstadt neighborhood possesses some of Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards, the Hackesche Höfe, as well as other courtyards which better recall the crowded conditions of industrial Berlin. Here you can discover the partially reconstructed New Synagogue, the former site of the Jewish cemetery, and many hidden reminders of a once vibrant community.
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Guided Beer Tasting Tour
Beer in Germany is virtually a mandatory beverage to accompany the consumption of food. The Saxons have a very relaxed and casual attitude toward the consumption of alcohol and enjoy it as part of their culture. They're also proud of their centuries-old brewing traditions and the "Beer Purity Law" that helps to keep the quality of German beer high. You can experience all this as part of a guided visit to some of Berlin's best beer halls, pubs, and summer beer gardens.
Day 9 Berlin
Morning: Tiergarten
Once the hunting ground of the Prussian kings, the Tiergarten is Berlin’s most famous and expansive park. It is a wonderful escape from urban stress located in the very center of the city. You will discover beautiful forests, fields, and ponds, all easily reached through an extensive and well maintained network of trails. Some of Berlin's favorite beer gardens are also located in the park.
Victory Column
Climb the historic column for a panoramic view of the city amidst a sea of green trees.
One of Berlin’s most familiar sights, the column commemorates victories over Denmark, Austria, and France during the mid-19th century. These victories enabled the founding of the German Empire in 1871. It was moved to the current location on the express orders of Hitler.
Café am Neuen See
Take a Break in a Popular Beer Garden Nestled Within the Park.
Even if you don’t feel like stopping for a drink or a meal, it is still worth a quick peek just to experience the atmosphere. The location is absolutely ideal, surrounded by forest and looking over the lake with its many paddle boaters. There's a formal sit-down café on the terrace and a self-service beer garden, where sharing benches is expected and completely normal.
Trödel Markt
Shop within the forest at Berlin’s best flea market.
If you are looking for a unique purchase then this is the place. The market takes place every weekend from 10am-5pm. Discover art, family heirlooms, furniture, clothing, souvenirs, food, and more.
Mid-Day/Afternoon: Museum Island
This island in the River Spree is home to five world-renowned museums, which could easily fill up a whole trip just by themselves. The island is covered in trees and green lawns, while the classically-inspired architecture of the museums can be enjoyed without even stepping inside. Unfortunately, the biggest star of the island, the Pergamon Museum, with its wholly reconstructed ancient buildings, is closed until 2026 for renovations. However, you can still visit a massive 360-panorama depicting the ancient city of Pergamon, and there's still more museums to visit than you could possibly fit in. Also to be found on and around Museum Island are the majestic Berliner Dom cathedral and the huge Berlin Palace.
Pergamonmuseum
Relive the past in one of the world's premier museums of archealogy and ancient art. You can step into enormous ancient structures, wholly reconstructed.
The museum is a jaw-dropping feast of classical sculpture and monumental architecture from Greece, Rome, Babylon and the Middle East divided into three parts. Highlights include the radiant-blue Ishtar Gate from Babylon, the Roman Market Gate of Miletus and the Caliph's Palace of Mshatta.
Neues Museum
Stare into the eyes of the famed Egyptian queen Nefertiti and see other ancient artwork and archeological artifacts.
The New Museum was opened in 1859 to relieve pressure on the over-crowded Old Museum. The three exhibition floors were decorated by leading Classical painters, with a focal point being a grand staircase winding up all three stories. Exhibits include the archaeological collections of the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, the Museum of Pre- and Early History, and the Collection of Classical Antiquities. The 3300-year-old bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti is the showstopper.
Berliner Dom
Climb 270 steps to the top of this massive 19th century cathedral for a unique panoramic view of the city.
Berlin Cathedral, nestled on Museum Island, epitomizes German neo-Renaissance grandeur with its striking dome. Built from 1894 to 1905 and restored post-World War II, its lavish interior, stained glass, and notable pipe organ draw visitors. Beyond a place of worship, it houses the former imperial ruling family's, the Hohenzollern, crypt, revealing the dynastic past of Germany.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Courtyards of Berlin
With booming 19th-century population growth, nearly every unoccupied space in Berlin was filled by tenement buildings surrounding small courtyards. The Spandauer Vorstadt neighborhood possesses some of Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards, the Hackesche Höfe, as well as other courtyards which better recall the crowded conditions of industrial Berlin. Here you can discover the partially reconstructed New Synagogue, the former site of the Jewish cemetery, and many hidden reminders of a once vibrant community.
Hackesche Höfe
Stop for a drink or go shopping within Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards.
These nine courtyards are classic examples of Art Deco. Built in 1905-1907 to house businesses, flats and places of entertainment, Hackesche Höfe was conceived of as an antidote to the dowdy and overcrowded courtyards of working-class Berlin. They are elaborately decorated with blue mosaic tiles and other artistic finishes, but nevertheless preserve a layout that was highly typical of much of pre-war Berlin.
Haus Schwarzenberg
Explore a traditional Berlin alleyway courtyard which harbours a trio of small museums relating to the Jewish experience during WWII.
The courtyard's crumbling and grafittied facades give visitors a feel for Berlin tenement life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the museums is the fascinating Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Wendt (free; open 10am-8pm daily). It is located in the former rooms of a broom and brush factory run by one Otto Wendt, whose employees were mainly deaf, blind and Jewish. He managed to protect his workers from the concentration camps by having the factory declared essential to the war effort.
New Synagogue
Visit one of the most important legacies of Berlin's pre-Holocaust Jewish community.
The partially reconstructed synagogue was damaged on Kristallnacht, an anti-Jewish Nazi pogrom. It was not completely destroyed thanks to the intervention of the local police chief. Its ultimate destruction was left to Allied bombers and reconstruction didn’t begin until the late 1980s. While large parts remain unreconstructed, it is still possible to visit the interior.
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Guided Beer Tasting Tour
Beer in Germany is virtually a mandatory beverage to accompany the consumption of food. The Saxons have a very relaxed and casual attitude toward the consumption of alcohol and enjoy it as part of their culture. They're also proud of their centuries-old brewing traditions and the "Beer Purity Law" that helps to keep the quality of German beer high. You can experience all this as part of a guided visit to some of Berlin's best beer halls, pubs, and summer beer gardens.
Day 10
Depart Berlin
Day 10
Depart Berlin
To Be Determined
Transfer to Berlin Airport by Taxi or Train
The most affordable and fast way to reach Berlin Brandenburg airport is by train. The Airport Express train takes only 30 minutes and leaves directly from the main station in central Berlin (Berlin Hbf). Regional and S-Bahn trains also depart from other locations in Berlin. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so you may wish to take a taxi or Uber, although this is more expensive than the train and puts you at the mercy of traffic. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 3 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.
Day 10 Depart Berlin
To Be Determined: Airport Transfer by Taxi or Rail
The most affordable and fast way to reach Berlin Brandenburg airport is by train. The Airport Express train takes only 30 minutes and leaves directly from the main station in central Berlin (Berlin Hbf). Regional and S-Bahn trains also depart from other locations in Berlin. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so you may wish to take a taxi or Uber, although this is more expensive than the train and puts you at the mercy of traffic. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 3 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.
How Booking Works
Get Your Free Itinerary
Choose your dates, travelers and hotel level. Your personalized plan is free, with no commitment.
Fine-Tune It with an Expert
Swap hotels, add or drop tours and change the pace with your travel consultant until it fits.
Pay a Deposit When You're Happy
Your trip is booked once you approve the itinerary and pay the deposit. Nothing is charged before that.
What's Included in Paris, Amsterdam & Berlin Trip
Pre-Paid Tours and Activities
Private Guided Walking Tour of the Center of Paris
Privately Guided Walking Tour of Amsterdam
Canal Cruise in Amsterdam
Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour
Guided Beer Tasting Tour
City Card for Berlin, including discounts to many popular attractions
Pre-Paid Transportation
2nd Class Train Tickets from Paris-Amsterdam
2nd Class Train Tickets from Amsterdam to Berlin
Public Transport Tickets for Berlin and Amsterdam
Accommodation
3 nights at a hotel of your choice in Paris
3 nights at a hotel of your choice in Amsterdam
3 nights at a hotel of your choice in Berlin
Go Real Travel Mobile App
Itinerary Plan & Reservations Info
Points of Interest
Detailed Travel Information
Maps & Directions
City guides
Explore Cities in More Detail
Get a feel for each stop before you build your route.
The magic of Paris is undeniable. This is the most romantic destination in Europe, and surely the number one bucket list destination of all time. If you want to say you've traveled, you have to visit Paris at least once. Along with classic must-sees like the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre-Coeur, there is so much to see and do in Paris that it helps to narrow it down by interest. Fashion and shopping enthusiast? Look no further than the Galeries Lafayette, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, or the Marais. Art aficionado? Once you're done with the Louvre, make a start on the Musée d'Orsay.
History buffs won't be able to walk a block without uncovering a monument to Napoleon or Louis XIV. If you visit Paris with a foodie, be warned — you'll gaze in a lot of patisserie windows, and sample your weight in croissants. Because Paris always has so much on offer, it never grows old. At dusk, as you stroll the wide boulevards past Haussmann apartment buildings and sharply dressed Parisians, or gaze down at the city from the hill at Montmarte, you might find yourself saying 'Paris Je t' aime'. This is, after all, the City of Love.
A waterside metropolis with a low-key vibe, a visit to Amsterdam is as fun and freewheeling as a fixed-gear bicycle. This is the city where you can let it all go. The streets of Amsterdam chime with bicycle bells and the laughter of people making their way between bars. Yellow wheels of cheese line shop windows, and in springtime, market stalls are abundant with the famous Dutch tulips.
Younger than other cities in the Netherlands, Amsterdam sprang to life in the 17th century, when it became flush with trade from the Dutch colonies. From the gable tipped houses standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the canals to the Rembrandt paintings hanging on the walls of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam is strewn with relics from the Dutch Golden Age. Whether you rent a bicycle, float down a canal, or just sip on an amber-colored lager and watch the world go by, Amsterdam makes a lasting impression from start to finish.
Since the fall of its notorious wall, Berlin’s unification has seen it go from strength to strength. No wonder the city feels like it hasn’t stopped partying since the 1990s. There is so much to celebrate here. Fueled by the robust economy, a thriving tech scene, and straight-up German bonhomie, when you step into Berlin you’ll soon be caught up in its spirit.
For all this gusto, Berlin hasn’t forgotten its troubled past. A visit to Berlin is to bear witness to history. Portions of the wall remain intact, and the city’s Jewish Museum offers a detailed, emotional examination of the Holocaust. Inside the reconstructed Reichstag, every attempt has been made to preserve the parliament’s beleaguered history. The buildings' glass dome addition feels less like a triumphal crown and more like a freshly healed battle scar.
Days in Berlin are easily spent wandering from a cafe to the cultural institutions on Museum Island, or over to the Charlottenburg Palace. By night, crowds wander through the booming bars and nightclubs or gaze upon the floodlit Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column monuments. An international city that can offer something to everyone, Berlin is an unmissable stop on your German journey.
Real travelers · real journeys
Reviews From Similar Trips
See what travelers who went to these destinations have to say.
5.0/5
Average traveler rating
Based on 9 traveler reviews
Trustpilot (6)
Facebook (1)
Go Real Travel Reviews (2)
Recommends us Facebook
Family of 5 Just returned from 9 days in Europe covering Amsterdam, Cologne and Brussels with 3 teens. This was the first time I’ve travelled using an agent like this and was hoping for the best, we were very pleasantly surprised, expectations exceeded.
Everything went exactly to plan, the schedule was very busy but that was by design and we feel we saw all the right things given our timeline. The activities were great, tour guides were helpful and having the private tours was such a huge benefit to the other larger groups we saw moving through each city.
Every recommendation they gave was helpful, reminders were sent the night before on all the set activities so we didn’t miss anything, every ticket they said was covered in fact was - with no snafu, we got everything we paid for, and any questions I sent during the trip were answered very timely. I never felt like we were on our own.
Highly recommend using them to organize your trip, we will be back!
Go Real Travel
Everything has worked out so seamlessly. I have never used a travel agent company before so for this being my first time, I can not stop saying how wonderful everything is going! Thank you all so much!
Go Real Travel
We have already recommended Go Real to friends. The trip was everything we had hoped for.
Myles was fabulous to deal with.
Your guides for the walking tours were incredible. Thank you so much!
What Travelers Say About Go Real Travel
Our latest reviews from across all trips on Trustpilot.
Other Trips You May Like
21 Days
From$5789USD
Jewels of Europe: Art, History and Waterways in Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna & Budapest
