Berlin (Germany)
Berlin is served by the port of Warnemunde which is one hour away by train. Berlin's landmarks include the Brandenburg Gate which was once part of the Berlin Wall, and the avenue of Unter den Linden which formed part of old Berlin's aristocratic quarter. Potsdamer Platz is an area of theatres and restaurants popular with locals, and the Reichstag's new glass dome was designed by Sir Norman Foster. Berlin's TV Tower has a rotating Telecafe for birds-eye views of the city.
Dessau (Germany)
From Dessau visit the Worlitz Park, Germany's first landscaped park with English-style gardens.
Dresden (Germany)
The thriving city of Dresden has leafy corners, monumental buildings and contemporary architecture. Known as the 'Florence of the Elbe', the main sights are the magnificent, re-constructed Frauenkirche and the lovely Bruhl Terrace. Tours take in Semper Opera House, Zwinger Palace and Dresden Castle, which holds a splendid collection of the Saxon monarchs crown jewels.
Litomerice (Czech Republic)
Litomerice, on the confluence of the Elbe, is one of the most charming towns in the Czech Republic. See the mix of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance buildings in the centre of the city, St Stephen’s Cathedral and the historic Market Square.
Magdeburg (Germany)
There is a fine cathedral in Magdeburg with sculptures of the 'Twelve Virgins', and the lovely Monastery of Our Lady, which gave the city the title of 'Pearl of the Romanesque Route'. The famous Magdeburg Rider is a 750-year old equestrian statue in front of the Town Hall. There are plenty of quaint corners, and the woodland scenery of Herrenkrug Park
Meissen (Germany)
Meissen is dominated by its huge, red-roofed castle, Albrechtsburg. The Town Hall is one of the oldest Gothic buildings in the region, and Heinrich's Fountain is in a pretty corner shaded by trees. The town is best known for its delicate porcelain, which was used to furnish many of Meissens churches. A visit to the factory is usually offered from here.
Prague (Czech Republic)
Prague is deservedly one Europe's favourite tourist destinations and its beautiful buildings and squares can be discovered on foot. Magnificent Wenceslas Square, the Jewish Quarter, the towers of Charles Bridge, the State Opera House, one of the world's finest Astronomical Clocks and the extraordinary Dancing House, built in the 1990s, are among them.
Saxon Switzerland (Germany)
Saxon Switzerland is well-known for its soaring rock formations and its small villages, including Bad Schandau. The national park is dotted with sandstone rocks and peaks, which attracts climbers from all over the world and was where the concept of 'free climbing' originated.
Wittenberg (Germany)
Wittenberg is associated with Martin Luther, leader of the German Reformation. The Luther sites are a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Highlights include the Luther House where he lived with his family and which houses well-preserved Reformation relics, the Castle Church and the twin-towered Gothic church.