Berlin
- Before you head far outside the city's borders, take in a serious dose of Berlin's fast energy, art scene and restaurant culture. Embark on a walking tour through the city, absorbing the key historical sites, such as the remains of the Berlin Wall and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. Once you've absorbed the city, book a guided tour from Berlin, for a sobering day meandering through Sachsenhausen, a key concentration camp when the Nazis were in power. Sachsenhausen sits about an hour's drive north of Berlin, so expect the trip to last at least six hours. If you have any time remaining, head to Dresden for a day of cultural immersion and art museum exploration. Only two hours away from Berlin by train, plan to arrive early in the morning and begin strolling through the Old Town. Visit the Zwinger Palace complex, Albertinum Museum and walk along the promenade of Bruhl's Terrace. Purchase lunch from one of the many cafes near the River Elbe, and head down to the riverbank and indulge while watching boats drift past.
Munich
- After hours spent people-watching in the delightful city square of Marienplatz and long evenings chattering in the beer halls, venture outside Munich's city limits and explore the rest of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle deserves to be the first stop. Book a tour group out of Munich, with the entire trip generally lasting nine or 10 hours, including bus transportation. Set amid the panoramic, jagged Bavarian Alps, a trip to this castle will transport you straight to an imaginary dream world of dragons and fairies. The next day, ride the train to the city of Nuremberg, reachable by train from Munich in less than two hours. Wander around the Old Town, capturing photographs of the majestic Nuremberg Castle and its surrounding quarters. Stop for a traditional Bavarian lunch of sausage and beer, and spend the afternoon window shopping before heading back to Munich in the evening. If you plan to visit any sites within Bavaria, it's best to avoid Munich between the end of September and early October, as Oktoberfest might drown all your ambitions down at the beer halls.
Frankfurt
- The financial capital of Germany, Frankfurt serves as the central jump-off point for a wide range of day trips. First, head to Cologne, just over an hour by train, and devour the city's diverse architecture, touring the imposing cathedral, its surrounding churches and the modern art within Museum Ludwig. Once you have your fill, embark on a sunset dinner cruise along the Rhine, returning back to Frankfurt in the late evening.Allot another day to comb through the hills of the Black Forest, which are blanketed in dark evergreens. Book a tour group out of Frankfurt for an entire day of exploration, leading you through the most picturesque stops within the forest.Take an independent trip to Heidelberg, one hour by train from Frankfurt. Here you can explore yet another Old Town, splashed with baroque architecture. Tour Heidelberg's biggest star -- the main castle -- before exploring the numerous pubs and gastro halls for an afternoon of indulgence. If you have extra time in Frankfurt, book a boat tour for a full day cruising through the valley of the Rhine River, passing villages and vineyards along the way.
Hamburg
- The northern port city of Hamburg holds a lively open-air fish market every Sunday ,selling local and international delicacies. After you eat to your heart's content, ride the train a quick 45-minutes to the whimsical city of Lübeck. Indulge in marzipan while meandering around the medieval churches, such as Marienkirche and visiting the City Museum beside Holstentor City Gate. Next, plan an excursion to the the port city of Wismar. Take the roughly a two-hour train ride form Hamburg, plan to walk through the cobblestone streets feasting on delicacies and snacks purchased from the central market, while scoping out even more churches, like St. Mary and St. Nicholas. On your last night in Hamburg, set sail for a dinner cruise along the Elbe.
