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The tour begins with an approximate 30-minute drive through the outskirts of Rostock and into the downtown area. With narrow streets that are mostly closed to traffic, begin your exploration of Rostock with its historic center of ancient Hanseatic buildings, starting at Holy Cross Convent where the ancient town wall meets the gardens of the monastery.
Further along, see the impressive building of Northern Europe's oldest University.
Enclosed in an ensemble of Renaissance and Classical buildings this is definitely worth a photo stop. Not to be missed is the courtyard of the monastery of the holy cross where the ancient town wall meets the gardens of the monastery.
Proceed to the new market where the pink town hall dominates before visiting one of the oldest brick churches in town; St. Mary's Church with its world famous astronomical clock dating back to the 14th century.
Next to the church, the coach will transfer you to the "Hanseatic Brewery of Rostock," the only brewery of nearly 150 breweries that has survived the test of time. Inside, learn about the brewing process, one of the oldest laws governing food in the world. It almost goes without any saying that a beer tasting is mandatory for guests. When you have finished your beer tasting and tour of the brewery, it is then time to return to the ship.
Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 1.5 miles (1.5 hours) over even and cobblestone surfaces with 50 steps at the bottling plant and 18 steps down into the Brewery Cellar. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Time permitting; guests will have approximately 20 minutes for shopping and browsing. Participants must be at least 16 years of age in order to participate in the beer tasting portion of this tour. Photo identification will be required. Tour order may vary between groups but will cover all listed sights. The bottling plant at the Brewery does not operate on weekends.
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See the highlights of the former East and West Berlin and have time to discover some of its deeper secrets by yourself. Sightseeing in the morning will include photo stops (exterior stops only) at the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the Gendarmenmarkt.
You will also pass by other sights such as the famous East Side Gallery (Berlin Wall), TiergartenPark and the Victory Column to give you a good overview of the city.
Enjoy a light lunch before you are given time (approximately 2.5 hours) to discover Berlin on your own in the afternoon. Your lunch venue will be your designated pick up point to transfer back to the train station.
Note: An escort will be on the train to/from Warnemunde. The train ride between Warnemunde and Berlin is approximately 3 hours each way. Please note that the train compartments are not air-conditioned. This tour does not include entrance fees or other expenses incurred during provided free time. If a guest should miss the return coach to the train station, transportation back to the vessel will be their own responsibility and at their own expense. The amount of walking during the free time is at each guest's discretion.
The constant building process in Berlin has lead to some significant additions to the Jewish cultural scene - the Jewish Museum designed by Daniel Libeskind. Since the grand opening two years ago, it has become a major attraction in Berlin.
Begin with a 3-hour train ride through the Mecklenburg countryside en route to Berlin. Hosts will hand out breakfast snacks, coffee, and informational material. On arrival in Berlin, your guide will walk you to your coach to begin your coach tour through the Jewish Story of Berlin covering all main highlights - the highs, and of course, the low points of German Jewish history. This tour does not dwell in the past but looks forward to the future.
In the former East Berlin, pass by the famous East Side Gallery to see remnants of the wall and continue to your first photo stop at the Opera Square. Bordered on one side by the State Opera House and by the Humboldt University on the other, it was in this square that the Nazis burned books in 1933. Continue through the former Jewish Quarter "Scheunenviertel" centered on the New Synagogue. Another highlight during the morning portion will be a visit of the Centrum Judaicum with its exhibition "Open Wide the Doors." The tour continues to the new Jewish Museum built by Daniel Libeskind. A building that is truly exceptional and that you will not quickly forget. Lunch will be inside the Jewish Museum at the Liebermann's Restaurant. A 45-minute guided tour inside the significant exhibition and building will be followed by 45 minutes of free time.
On the way back to the train station, see other highlights such as the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag's building and the Holocaust Memorial designed by Peter Eisenmann, next to the Brandenburg Gate. You will also see the Topography of Terror - on the site of the former SS Headquarters, and also the WW II Memorial for the victims of war and dictatorship.
Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 0.50 mile at the various sites, over mostly even surfaces with 10 to 20 steps and slight inclines. Tour sequence may vary in order to avoid congestion at the venues. The train ride between Warnemunde and Berlin is approximately 3 hours each way. Please note that the train compartments are not air-conditioned.
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