Germany

20th Anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 - Travel to East Germany

20 years since the Fall of the Wall – We go on a journey which unites.
Experience young German history at original places – where it happened!

Tour 1: Oct 02 – Oct 11, 2009 (10 days, Friday – Sunday)
Tour 2: Nov 06 – Nov 15, 2009 (10 days, Friday – Sunday)

Berlin – Potsdam – Erfurt – Thuringia – Dresden – Leipzig – Berlin

Our tour takes you to the beautiful city of Leipzig where the peaceful demonstrations “Montags- Demonstationen” with thousands of brave people started at the St. Nicholas’ Church in October 1989. These Peace Marches led to the collapse of the East German government, the Fall of the Wall in Berlin in November 1989 and finally the subsequent reunification of the two German States on October 3rd, 1990. In Berlin we will trace original historic places and the remains of the Berlin Wall. The entire city and Berlin’s international guests will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Wall with a “Festival of Freedom” in November 2009 at the Brandenburg Gate. In Thuringia we will visit “one of the hottest areas in the Cold War” – the former US camp and now Memorial & Museum “Point Alpha”. This is the location at the former German-German border, at which the outposts of NATO and the Warsaw Pact faced each other for more than four decades. At the “Trabi Paradise” you will get an idea what the “myth” called “Racing Cardboard” (the East German car Trabant) is all about…

Tour 1 in early October gives you the unique opportunity to participate in the “Nights of the Candles” in Leipzig – an atmospheric reminiscence of the first Peace March of October 9th, 1989.

Tour 2 in early November gives you the exciting chance to participate in the “Festival of Freedom” in Berlin with various events – celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

You will have time along the trip to enjoy the scenic landscapes, savor local specialties of German cuisine, meet people and go on your own little excursions to discover historic & modern East Germany independently. Of course we will provide you with worthwhile individual insider tips. We always travel in small groups of 18 guests maximum in order to provide a flexible individual travel experience. Groups are escorted 24/7 by an English speaking guide. We consider your wishes and ideas.

Tour 1 – “Night of the Candles” in Leipzig October 2nd – October 11th, 2009
(Fri – Sun / 10 days)

Friday, October 2nd:
Individual departure from the US or elsewhere.

Saturday, October 3rd:
Individual arrival in Berlin – Time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Guided walking tour historic centre Berlin with Museum Island – Welcome group dinner at the typical Berlin “corner pub” Sophienkeller – GDR Museum – Optional bar night in Berlin’s scene district “Mitte” – Overnight: Berlin.

Sunday, October 4th:
Guided Berlin City tour: Check Point Charlie – Berlin Wall Museum – Potsdamer Platz & Brandenburg Gate – Individual lunch at brewpub “Lindenbraeu” – New government quarter with Glass Dome Reichstags building – Walking tour at the “Wall Park” with Berlin Wall Memorial – Time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Overnight: Berlin.

Monday, October 5th:
Potsdam: Symbol “Glienicke Bridge” – Historic Potsdam – Guided walking tour Dutch Quarter& Schiffbauerdamm – Group lunch at traditional restaurant “Alter Stadtwaechter” – Bus transfer to Erfurt, Thuringia – Guided walking tour historic Erfurt with Cathedral & Merchant’s Bridge – Overnight: Erfurt.

Tuesday, October 6th:
Day Trip Thuringia: Point Alpha Memorial “one of the hottest areas in the Cold War” at the former German-German border – “Trabi Paradise” at the Hainich National Park (Trabant cars - “racing cardboards”)– Overnight Erfurt.

Wednesday, October 7th:
Transfer to Dresden – Group lunch at historic restaurant “Altmarktkeller” – Guided walking tour through historic Dresden with Church Of Our Lady – Memorial “Bautzener Strasse” (Secret Police “Stasi” headquarter) – Time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Overnight: Dresden.

Thursday, October 8th:
Bautzen Memorial (former Secret Police “Stasi” prison Bautzen II) – Transfer to Leipzig – Monument Battle of the Nations Leipzig – Time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Group dinner at the historic restaurant “Auerbachskeller” – Overnight: Leipzig.

Friday, October 9th:
Consecration of the Freedom Bell – Guided walking tour through historic Leipzig with St. Thomas Church, Town Halls, Maedler Passage and more – “Round Corner” Stasi Museum – Coffee & Cake at a historic Café– “Night of the Candles” at the St. Nicholas’ Church Leipzig – Overnight: Leipzig.

Saturday, October 10th:
Transfer back to Berlin – East Side Gallery / Artists Initiative – Optional boat trip through historic Berlin and/or time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Farewell Dinner at restaurant “frannz”
(Kulturbrauerei “Culture Brewery” Prenzlauer Berg – urban centre for culture) – Optional bar night in Berlin’s scene district “Prenzlauer Berg” – Overnight: Berlin.

Sunday, October 11th:
Individual departure from Berlin & arrival in the US or elsewhere.

Tour 2 – “Festival of Freedom” in Berlin - November 6 – November 15, 2009
(Fri – Sun / 10 days)

Friday, November 6th:
Individual departure from the US or elsewhere.

Saturday, November 7th:
Individual arrival in Berlin – Time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Guided walking tour historic centre Berlin with Museum Island – Welcome group dinner at the typical Berlin “corner pub” Sophienkeller– GDR Museum – Optional bar night in Berlin’s scene district “Mitte” – Overnight: Berlin.

Sunday, November 8th:
Guided Berlin City tour: Check Point Charlie – Berlin Wall Museum – Potsdamer Platz – Individual lunch at brewpub “Lindenbraeu” – New government quarter with Glass Dome Reichstags building – “Festival of Freedom” at the Brandenburg Gate” – Time for individual activities (we provide tips) – Overnight: Berlin.

Monday, November 9th:
Potsdam: Symbol “Glienicke Bridge” – Historic Potsdam – Guided walking tour Dutch Quarter& Schiffbauerdamm – Group lunch at traditional restaurant “Alter Stadtwaechter” – Bus transfer to Erfurt, Thuringia – Guided walking tour historic Erfurt with Cathedral & Merchant’s Bridge – Overnight: Erfurt.

Tuesday, November 10th:
Day Trip Thuringia: Point Alpha Memorial “one of the hottest areas in the Cold War” at the former German- German border – “Trabi Paradise” at the Hainich National Park (Trabant cars - “racing cardboards”)– Overnight Erfurt.

Wednesday, November 11th:
Transfer to Dresden – Group lunch at historic restaurant “Altmarktkeller” – Guided walking tour through historic Dresden with Church Of Our Lady – Memorial “Bautzener Strasse” (Secret Police “Stasi” headquarter) – Time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Overnight: Dresden.

Thursday, November 12th:
Bautzen Memorial (former Secret Police “Stasi” prison Bautzen II) – Transfer to Leipzig – Monument Battle of the Nations Leipzig – Time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Group dinner at historic restaurant “Auerbachskeller” – Overnight: Leipzig.

Friday, November 13th:
Guided walking tour through historic Leipzig with St. Thomas Church, Town Halls, Maedler Passage, St. Nicholas’ Church and more – “Round Corner” Stasi Museum – Coffee & Cake at the historic Café “Zum Arabischen Coffee Baum” – Time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Overnight: Leipzig.

Saturday, November 14th:
Transfer back to Berlin – East Side Gallery / Artists Initiative – Optional boat trip through historic Berlin and/or time for individual activities (tips will be provided) – Farewell Dinner at restaurant “frannz” (Kulturbrauerei “Culture Brewery” Prenzlauer Berg – urban centre for culture) – Optional bar night in Berlin’s scene district “Prenzlauer Berg” – Overnight: Berlin.

Sunday, November 15th:
Individual departure from Berlin & arrival in the US or elsewhere.

The tours are all tailor-made for small groups of 18 guests maximum in order to provide you with a unique individual trip with like-minded people for a great value. We are flexible and always willing to consider your wishes and interests. On your trip you will be escorted by a bilingual tour guide throughout. We also offer our assistance with flight bookings and/or independent trips before/after the group tour.

In ground package included:

8 overnight stays at selected hotels/pensions/Inns with buffet breakfast
Private coach transportation and experienced driver
English speaking tour guide throughout & Experienced local city guides
Entrance fees & expenses for tour related visits & excursions
Welcome dinner & Farewell dinner including beverages
Three additional meals (dinner/lunch) including beverages
One traditional Coffee House visit & Two Tastings (Wine / Beer / Chocolate)

Air fare, travel insurance, optional activities and non-tour-related excursions are not included. Itinerary & accommodation are subject to change. Please make reservations until August 1st, 2009.

The tours to Germany include several local city/town sightseeing tours and Christmas market visits on foot. Walks of around 1 hour up to 2 hours (including stops) might be involved at several occasions.

Tour price** 2009 (ground package, double occupancy, air fare not included)
1600 Euro per person
+ 300 Euro per person (single occupancy)

Minimum participants: 10 persons / Maximum participants: 18 persons
** USD Price is subject to currency fluctuations.

For more information and reservations please contact:



Donna Sullivan www.sullivanscustomtours.com Email: donnabsullivan@aol.com Phone: (1) 713-291-3492		Ute Boese & Jo Ann Wolf www.cultourinaria.com www.tgac-us.com Email: info@tgac-us.com