Day 1 Departing from Vienna

Vienna is a wonderful city, full of magnificent imperial buildings, palaces and concert halls. This is where Adolf Hitler, then an aspiring artist, lived for some years as a young man. During this period the Austro-Hungarian empire was unravelling, and the notion of nationalism was spreading fast in what was then a multi-national society. Meet your guide in the early evening for a welcome drink and dinner.
(D)
Overnight – The Classic Hotel Wien, Vienna or similar
 

Day 2 Vienna

We take a walking tour of Vienna with our local guide who explains how key events unfolded. See where Hitler entered Vienna after the Anschluss of 1938, when cheering crowds welcomed the union of Germany with Austria. Learn more about Vienna during the war, a subject where there is still much reticence among the Viennese people. We then visit the famous flak towers, constructed on the orders of Hitler in 1942 when Vienna became endangered by the continuing battles. They consist of six huge, reinforced-concrete anti-aircraft towers which stand out starkly against the beautifully-restored architecture of the city itself. Our next visit is to the very special Third Man Museum, dedicated to the classic 1948 film of the same name. This private museum boasts an astonishing collection of original artefacts from the film; see footage showing the damage Vienna sustained during the war. We will also have an opportunity to learn more about the role of Austria during the period of the Third Reich.
(B)
Overnight – The Classic Hotel Wien, Vienna or similar
 

Day 3 Salzburg

We make our way to Berchtesgaden and the nearby Obersalzberg, where a huge Nazi complex was constructed in 1935. Hitler’s home, the “Berghof”, was enlarged to palatial dimensions, and Gőring’s residence was also remodelled. In addition, there was extensive work undertaken to provide infrastructure for guests and staff. Many photographs of Hitler, Eva Braun and various Nazi officials were taken on the terrace of the “Berghof”. Most of the buildings on the Obersalzberg are now gone, however parts of the underground bunkers still exist. We take a local bus up the mountain where you can enjoy spectacular views. Climb even higher to the famous “Eagle’s Nest”, Hitler’s mountain hideaway. We then make our way to Salzburg, a delightfully attractive town perhaps best known as being the birthplace of Mozart. This evening you will have free time to explore the area and dine at your leisure in one of the many excellent restaurants.
(B)
Overnight - Salzburg
 

Day 4 Munich

Today we visit Munich, the capital city of Bavaria and the birthplace of the Nazi party. An attractive and buzzing city where the footprints of the Nazis are still visible today. The Hofbräuhaus is where the party held its first mass meeting and the Kőnigsplatz was the site of mass party rallies. Our expert guide introduces us to all the major sites relevant to the Third Reich and explains how the Nazis gained such power. Munich was all but destroyed during the war, however has since been restored to its former glory.
(B/D)
Overnight - Munich
 

Day 5 Munich

Today you are free to enjoy Munich as you wish. Delve deeper into the city’s dark past, or enjoy the city as it is today - full of history, architecture and art. You might want to visit some of its outstanding museums, stroll through one of the parks, do some shopping or perhaps visit one of the famous traditional beer gardens for a “stein” of Bavarian beer.
(B)
Overnight - Munich
 

Day 6 Nuremberg

Nuremberg is a city indelibly linked with the Third Reich. Nazi rallies were held here in the 1930s and it was here that the legislation for the persecution of German Jews was made. Senior Nazis were also tried here after the war. Our expert guide will take you on a tour of the city and show you sites affiliated with this period of time. After visiting the castle, we will make our way to the Rally Grounds, where rallies were held annually between 1927 and 1938. We drive through the Rally Grounds, some two kilometres long, before making our way to the infamous courthouse, the scene of many post-war Nazi trials. Here we visit Courtroom 600, where the International Military Tribunal tried senior Nazis charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, of whom 12 were sentenced to death.
(B/D)
Overnight - Nuremberg
 

Day 7 Berlin

We travel north to Buchenwald concentration camp. Here prisoners were starved, maltreated, worked to death and subjected to numerous inhuman practices including cruel medical experiments. Most of the early inmates were political prisoners, however in the aftermath of “Kristallnacht”, a series of co-ordinated and vicious attacks against Jews and their property, the SS sent 10,000 Jews to Buchenwald where they were treated with extraordinary cruelty. The death toll is thought to be at least 50,000 - it is impossible to understand the horror that occurred here. From here we travel to Berlin where we will spend the next two days.
(B)
Overnight - Berlin
 

Day 8 Berlin

The following two days are dedicated to Berlin as our expert guide takes us on a walking tour of the city to unveil more about its history. Learn about Berlin’s devastation, the final death throes of the Third Reich, and Hitler's final hours. The guns stopped firing on 2 May 1945, after one of the most intense battles in history, and Berlin lay in ruins. We will hear about the role Berlin played during this time and understand the Cold War which followed. This afternoon you are free to explore the city further. This evening we meet for our final dinner together and reflect on our journey.
(B/D)
Overnight - Berlin
 

Day 9 Berlin

This morning we visit the Bendlerblock, the headquarters of the Wehrmacht officers who carried out the plot against the life of Adolf Hitler. Visit the Memorial in honor of the German Resistance and the museum explaining the national resistance movement. We then drive to Wannsee, where the decision was made to implement the “Final Solution”, the extermination of the entire Jewish population of Europe, an estimated 11 million people in total. We call in at Grunewald Station and see Platform 17, where Jews were deported to extermination camps. Here we find a very moving memorial showing the dates and number of people who were sent to terrible suffering and likely death. On this sad note we return to central Berlin where our tour ends. An emotive tour which has included many moving moments, but one which has taught us so much.
(B)

Tour departs 1800 hrs from:
The Classic Hotel Wien, Vienna
Praterstrasse 72,
Vienna 1020, Austria

Tour ends 1700 hrs from:
Berlin

Tour Photos