16 Day Tastes of Germany’s Eastern States, Finland & Estonia

16-Day Northern Europe Explorer: Germany, Finland & Estonia

Discover the cultural richness, historic landmarks, and natural beauty of Germany, Finland, and Estonia on this 16-day Stay & Explore tour. Stay in centrally located first-class hotels, enjoy expert local guides, and customize your journey with optional experiences that make this adventure uniquely yours.

DAY 1, Tuesday – Depart for Germany

Begin your journey with a flight to Berlin, the dynamic capital of Germany.

DAY 2, Wednesday – Arrive in Berlin, Transfer to Potsdam

Arrive in Berlin and transfer to your hotel in Potsdam, known for its palaces and gardens. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Attend an evening orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at 6 PM, followed by a welcome reception.

Overnight: Potsdam

DAY 3, Thursday – Potsdam Walking Tour & Sanssouci Palace

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Potsdam:

• Dutch Quarter with charming brick architecture

• Old Market Square and St. Nicholas Church

• Sanssouci Palace, Frederick the Great’s summer residence with Rococo interiors, terraced vineyards, fountains, and sculptures

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the city at your pace.

Overnight: Potsdam | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Friday – Berlin City Tour

Drive through Brandenburg to Berlin and experience its historic landmarks:

• Brandenburg Gate, symbol of reunification

• Reichstag Building with iconic glass dome

• Checkpoint Charlie, a relic of the divided city

• Stroll Unter den Linden Boulevard, past the State Opera House and Berlin Cathedral

• End in the shopping and entertainment hub of Kurfürstendamm

Return to Potsdam in the evening.

Overnight: Potsdam | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Saturday – Free Day / Optional Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour & Lecture

Spend the day at leisure, or join the optional Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour, exploring:

• Reconstructed barracks and watchtowers

• Execution site and museum exhibits

• Personal stories of prisoners’ resilience

Return to Potsdam for an evening lecture on life in East Germany, examining daily experiences under the GDR and post-reunification changes.

Overnight: Potsdam | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Sunday – Free Day / Optional Szczecin, Poland Tour with Pierogi Lunch

Leisure day or take a day trip to Szczecin, Poland. Highlights include:

• Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle

• Philharmonic Hall, St. Peter & Paul’s Church, cathedral, and Chrobry Embankment

• Traditional pierogi lunch with a variety of delicious flavors

Return to Potsdam in the afternoon.

Overnight: Potsdam | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Monday – Leipzig City Tour

Travel to Leipzig, a cultural hub and birthplace of composer Richard Wagner. Visit:

• St. Thomas Church, associated with Johann Sebastian Bach

• Old Town Hall and Opera House

• St. Nicholas Church

• Monument to the Battle of the Nations, commemorating Napoleon’s defeat

Return to Potsdam in the afternoon.

Overnight: Potsdam | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Tuesday – Free Day / Optional Spreewald Canal Cruise Experience

Relax in Potsdam or explore the Spreewald UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a tranquil canal cruise. Glide through lush waterways and enjoy a seasonal specialty tasting. Conclude with a farewell dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: Potsdam | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Wednesday – Flight to Helsinki, Finland

Fly to Helsinki and transfer to your hotel. Evening orientation with your Finnish Tour Manager.

Overnight: Helsinki | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Thursday – Helsinki City Tour

Explore Helsinki’s key landmarks:

• Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace, Esplanade Park

• Uspenski Cathedral, an Eastern Orthodox masterpiece

• Oodi Library, a modern Finnish architectural marvel

Afternoon at leisure for shopping or exploring museums and markets.

Overnight: Helsinki | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Friday – Porvoo Walking Tour

Visit the charming town of Porvoo on the Gulf of Finland:

• Cobblestone streets and colorful wooden houses

• Porvoo Cathedral (15th century)

• Artisan boutiques and local galleries

Return to Helsinki in the afternoon.

Overnight: Helsinki | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Saturday – Free Day / Optional Turku & Naantali Tour

Optional day tour to Turku, Finland’s oldest city, and coastal Naantali. Explore Turku Castle, Old Town, and the waterfront charm of Naantali before returning to Helsinki.

Overnight: Helsinki | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13, Sunday – Ferry to Tallinn, Estonia & City Tour

Take a scenic ferry to Tallinn. Discover the UNESCO-listed Old Town:

• Toompea Castle (Baroque-style), Gothic Town Hall, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

• Cobblestone streets, medieval churches, and Song Festival Grounds

Overnight: Tallinn | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 14, Monday – Free Day / Optional Lahemaa National Park & Altja Excursion

Optional excursion to Lahemaa National Park. Highlights:

• Viru Bog Nature Trail

• Palmse Manor and lunch at its restaurant

• Altja fishing village and coastal strolls

Return to Tallinn in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Tallinn | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 15, Tuesday – Free Day / Optional West Estonia Discovery

Optional tour to West Estonia, featuring:

• Turisalu Clifftop, panoramic Baltic views

• Keila Waterfall, Keila-Joa Manor

• Paldiski, a former Soviet naval base

• Rummu Quarry & Prison, a flooded Soviet-era labor camp

Farewell dinner with your Tour Manager in the evening.

Overnight: Tallinn | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 16, Wednesday – Depart Estonia

Transfer to Tallinn Airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay & Explore Package Highlights

• Flights: New York–Berlin / Tallinn–New York (other departure cities available)

• Intra-flight: Potsdam–Helsinki

• 14 nights First-Class accommodations: 7 nights Potsdam | 4 nights Helsinki | 3 nights Tallinn

• Hotel taxes, fees, and porterage included

• 17 meals: 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

• Sightseeing via modern air-conditioned motor coach

• Services of 2 English-speaking Tour Managers, plus local guides

• Wireless earphones for enhanced touring

• Optional Tours: Concentration camp memorials, canal cruises, castles, UNESCO sites, national parks, and cultural excursions

• Flexible itinerary for a customizable Northern Europe experience