Echoes of Remembrance: A Journey Through WWII Concentration Camps – 9 Days / 8 Nights

Arrival Upon arrival in Frankfurt, reception through our company and transfer to your hotel in downtown Frankfurt. Rest of the day at leisure for private activities. Take a moment to acclimate to the city's modernity juxtaposed against its historical significance. Our suggestion is to visit the Jewish Museum Frankfurt to gain insight into the rich Jewish heritage of the region. Explore the historic district of Altstadt, the old town offering glimpses of medieval architecture and contemporary culture. Overnight at the Mercure Hotel City Center 4****

Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning go to the train station to board your coach and journey to Hannover. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel and check-in. In the afternoon, guided tour to Bergen Belsen. In 1935, the Wehrmacht began work on what would be the largest training area in all of Germany. After the invasion of Poland, the camp was used to hold prisoners of war, and after passing to the SS in 1943, it became a concentration camp. Even without gas chambers, it’s estimated that over 50,000 people died in the camp, including Margot and Anne Frank, as well as Czech author Josef Čapek. After being liberated in April, 1945, Allied troops buried the dead and burned the camp down. Today Bergen-Belsen stands as a solemn memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, with preserved remnants of the camp serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of suffering and resilience. Visitors to Bergen-Belsen can explore the memorial grounds, which include mass graves, commemorative plaques, and the poignant Anne Frank Memorial, honoring the memory of the young diarist who perished in the camp. In the shadow of the camp's watchtowers and barbed wire fences, we are reminded of the enduring imperative to confront hatred, intolerance, and indifference wherever they may arise. For in remembering the victims of Bergen-Belsen, we honor their memory and reaffirm our commitment to building a world guided by compassion, justice, and human dignity. Back to Hannover. You can spend the evening visiting the old town, a picturesque ensemble of historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and charming squares, offering a glimpse into the city's rich cultural heritage. Overnight at the    3***

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a scenic train journey from Hannover to Berlin, immersing yourself in the picturesque landscapes of Germany en route to the vibrant capital city. Upon arrival in Berlin, transfer to your hotel and time to rejuvenate. In the afternoon, delve into the city's rich history with a guided tour that focuses on the Third Reich and the Holocaust, exploring significant sites that bear witness to this tumultuous era. Visit landmarks such as the Topography of Terror, where the remnants of the Gestapo headquarters stand as a haunting reminder of Nazi terror and oppression. Pay homage to the victims of the Holocaust at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, a somber and contemplative space commemorating the millions who perished. Conclude your day with a moment of quiet contemplation at the Berlin Jewish Museum, whose striking architecture and thought-provoking exhibitions offer a poignant tribute to the enduring legacy of Jewish culture and identity. As the day draws to a close, carry with you the profound lessons of history as you navigate the streets of Berlin, a city that bears witness to both the depths of human depravity and the triumph of the human spirit. Overnight stay in Berlin.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave early in the morning to the city of Potsdam, the capital of the State of Brandenburg, (24 km, 15 miles) south from Berlin Center. Potsdam has several claims to national and international notability. In Germany, it had the status Windsor has in Britain because it was residence of Prussian Kings and German Kaisers, until 1918. Considered to be one of the most beautiful areas just outside of Berlin, no visit to the city would be complete without experiencing this unique gem. Royal palaces dot the tranquil landscape of a town whose prominent role in modern history would be hard to overstate. For it was at this benign setting that the Big Three Allied leaders met to agree on the post-war division of Europe as a whole, and Germany in particular. Sights you will visit with us include Sansscouci Palace with it's enchanting landscaped gardens, the Neues Palais from where the last German Kaiser abdicated at the end of WWI, and Cecelienhof which was the location for the aforementioned Potsdam Conference. Time permitting, we also take a drive through the freshly renovated Altstadt, as well as over the Glienicke bridge, witness to many of the famous spy swaps of the Cold War. As with the Berlin City Tour, you will be collected and returned to your hotel and the duration is usually 4-5 hours." The price for the tour excludes the entrance fees into the numerous palaces, should you wish to do so.  In the afternoon, we will drive to Sachsenhausen. Not a pleasant excursion, but certainly educational. A sobering insight into the totalitarian mindset. Located some 40km's north of Berlin, Sachsenhausen was one of the earliest camps to be established by the Nazis. Originally started in an old brewery, it moved to it's current location in 1936 and was the favoured camp for political prisoners due to its proximity to Berlin. Of the 200 000 people incarcerated there, at least 50 000 succumbed to disease, hunger, exhaustion, or were simply executed. Inmates were exploited as slave labourers in diverse industries. After the visit, return to Berlin and free time for private activities. Overnight at the Hotel 3***

Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure  to the airport for your flight to Krakow in Poland. Upon arrival, reception and transfer through our representative to your hotel. In the afternoon in Krakow, immerse yourself in the historic charm of the Old Town, wandering through the cobblestone streets of Rynek Glówny, Europe's largest medieval square, where you can marvel at the stunning architecture of St. Mary's Basilica and the Cloth Hall. Don't miss a visit to Wawel Castle, perched atop a limestone hill overlooking the city, to explore its royal chambers and picturesque gardens, and take a moment of reflection at the nearby Oskar Schindler's Factory, which chronicles Krakow's wartime history. Finally, indulge in traditional Polish cuisine at one of the many charming restaurants lining the streets, savoring pierogi, kielbasa, and other local delicacies. Overnight in Krakow.

Breakfast at the hotel. Embarking on a visit to Auschwitz from Krakow is a solemn and deeply significant journey, offering an opportunity to pay homage to the millions who perished during the Holocaust and to bear witness to one of the darkest chapters in human history. Early in the morning, depart from Krakow for the approximately 1.5-hour drive to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, located in the town of Oświęcim. Upon arrival, start a guided tour led by knowledgeable museum staff, who will provide invaluable insights into the history and significance of the site. Begin at Auschwitz I, the main camp, where you'll walk through the infamous gate bearing the chilling inscription "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work Sets You Free). Explore the barracks, watchtowers, and exhibitions, which document the atrocities committed by the Nazis, including photographs, personal belongings, and poignant testimonies from survivors. Contemplate the stark reality of the gas chambers and crematoria, where countless lives were mercilessly extinguished. Next, proceed to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the largest of the Auschwitz camps and the site of mass extermination. Here, the scale of the Holocaust becomes even more apparent as you walk along the railway tracks that once brought victims to their final destination. Stand before the ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria, bearing witness to the incomprehensible cruelty inflicted upon innocent men, women, and children. Throughout the visit, take moments of quiet reflection to honor the memory of the victims and to reaffirm your commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never forgotten nor repeated. Consider leaving a token of remembrance at one of the memorial sites as a gesture of solidarity and respect. As the day draws to a close, return to Krakow with a heart heavy with the weight of history but also with a renewed sense of determination to stand against hatred, intolerance, and injustice in all its forms. Take solace in the knowledge that by bearing witness to the past, you honor the legacy of those who perished and contribute to the preservation of their memory for future generations. Overnight in Krakow.

Breakfast at the hotel. On time transfer to the airport for your flight to Munich in Germany. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Today´s program include a city tour in Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria, third largest city in Germany, behind Berlin and Hamburg. Its native name, München, is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks‘place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence, the monk depicted on the city's coat of arms. Walk through the historic city center, including Karlstor Gate, the Cathedral of Munich (Frauenkirche), the Odeon Square and Marienplatz (Marien Square)  where the city hall is located.  After the city tour, rest of the day free for private activities. In the evening, we suggest an authentic Bavarian experience with a dinner at the legendary Hofbräuhaus in Munich. Overnight at the 3***. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a poignant journey to Dachau, a testament to remembrance and reflection on the atrocities of the Holocaust. After a short journey of approximately 20 kilometers northwest of the city center. As you approach Dachau, the landscape transitions from urban to pastoral, offering a tranquil backdrop for contemplation. Upon arrival in Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, the first Nazi concentration camp established in Germany. Opened in 1933 primarily for political prisoners, Dachau was converted into a concentration camp as the war progressed, where some 41,000 prisoners were murdered. Those that survived were put through a living nightmare in this ‘school of violence’ for its SS operators. The permanent exhibition, opened in 2003, follows the ‘path of the prisoners’ from their arrival through to death or liberation by Allied troops. First-hand accounts and drawings made by the prisoners, along with their biographies, provide a disturbing insight into existence at Dachau. The open-air exhibition at the SS shooting range, while commemorating the victims, also offers detailed information on the historical background to the crimes committed there. The ‘plantation’ can also be visited, this was the herb garden where prisoners were brutally set to work growing and tending – with horrible irony - medicinal plants and herbs. A very potent memorial is that to the ‘death marches,’ sculpted by Hubertus von Pilgrim, commemorating all those who died when the camp was evacuated as Allied liberation approached. As you conclude your journey to Dachau ang get back to Munich, carry with you the lessons of history and the imperative of remembrance. Reflect on the enduring importance of bearing witness to the past and reaffirm your commitment to ensuring that the voices of the victims are never silenced. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. For those who wish to further explore the region, consider extending your stay to visit nearby cities such as Nuremberg where you can visit the national socialist documentary center or the Eagles Nest near Berchtesgaden, a mountaintop retreat commissioned by Adolf Hitler and used by the Nazi Party for diplomatic receptions.  This immersive journey, "Echoes of Remembrance," serves as a solemn tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, reminding us of the enduring imperative to confront hatred and intolerance with compassion and solidarity. On time transfer to the airport for your return flight home. End of our services. (B)