Day 6 – Wednesday , September 20 : A full ‘ tour day ’, beginning with Zeppelin Field , site of the huge Nazi party rallies . See Hitler ’ s ‘ reviewing stand ’, where from 1933 to 1938 , Hitler regaled over 100,000 at a time--- many nighttime rallies , flooded with lights , created by 130 high-powered anti-aircraft searchlights ringing the field . On April 24 , 1945 , the Allies blew up the huge adorning swastika from atop the reviewing stand , as the war drew to a close .
Also , we will spend time at the nearby “ Documentation Center ”, a large museum in the unfinished remains of the Congress Hall . The museum is a magnificent education forum , documenting the ‘ causes & consequences ’ of the rise of Nazi Germany .
Next , onto the Nuremberg Palace of Justice , where the 1945-46 Nuremberg trials were held , bringing justice to the perpetrators of the world ’ s most horrific war . The courthouse is still in use , but if not ‘ in session ’, we will sit in the exact place where the Nazi criminals met their final fate .
Later , we will tour the city ’ s old town , admiring the beautiful timber-framed houses and cobblestone streets and the massive city walls . Within the old city , walk past the Craftsmen ’ s Courtyard where glass cutters , leather workers , gold and silversmiths and other artisans , display their skills and offer their wares .
Day 7 – Thursday , September 21 : Leave Nuremberg , travel to the city of Berchtesgaden , in Bavarian , the southern-most area of Germany near the Austrian border ; settle into ourhotel and then venture out into the picturesque town nestled in the foothills of the Oberzalberg Mountain , in the Bavarian Alps .
The alpine town had a special attraction to Adolf Hitler ; he retreated here to complete his manifesto , Mein Kampt , and considered Berchtesgaden as the “ cradle of the Third Reich ”.
Day 8 – Friday , September 22 : The day begins with a trek up the mountain to the Nazi Documentation Center , which sits atop the vast and tour-able remains of the bunker system , housing the second seat of Nazi administration . Construction began just after the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943 , and was essentially an incredibly engineered underground ‘ town ’ with meeting rooms , offices & archives and lavish living quarters for Hitler .
From here , we board a shuttle bus , taking us further up the mountain , where Hitler ’ s Eagles Nest was built---in a feat of unbelievable engineering---in honor of his 50th birthday in 1939 . After debarking the coach , we will walk through a tunnel and enter the polished brass elevator taking us to the very ‘ top of the world ’, stepping out into a magnificent alpine mountain vista .
Meandering walking paths take those---who wish---a steep trek up and down the mountain crags , offering unimaginable views . Then , lounging in the Chalet ‘ Tea House ’ for refreshments & lunch on the scenic terrace .
Back to Berchtesgaden for more exploring and town-touring .
Day 9 – Saturday , September 23 : Leave Bavaria , travel to Brno , Czechoslovakia , where we overnight on our way to Karkow , Poland . A rare opportunity to sit back and take in the beautiful scenery of Eastern Europe , once in the heart of Hitler ’ s WWII rampage .
As time permits , we will tour the 2nd largest city in the Czech Republic ; Art Nouveau , Empire and Neoclassical buildings and many dining establishments in the Old City center .
Day 10 – Sunday , September 24 : Arrive at the hotel in Krakow ; settle in and then we tour the city , including the streets of Kazimierz , the city ’ s Old Town district in the heart of Krakow , and the main square , stepping inside the historic Cloth Hall .
After we enjoy a wonderful meal of traditional Polish fare , back to the hotel for the day .
Day 11 – Monday , September 25 : We will embark on a tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum , the former Nazi concentration camp . We will proceed into the barbed-wire encampment through the gate that still reads “ Arbeit macht frei ” ( Work sets you free ). Established in 1940 , the Auschwitz complex saw the deaths of more than a million people , most of whom were European Jews . The complex , today a UNESCO World Heritage-listed museum , comprises the Auschwitz I camp and the Birkenau ( or Auschwitz II ) camp with a total of about 150 buildings and 300 ruins .
Auschwitz was only partially destroyed by fleeing Nazis when the camp was liberated , so you are able to see many of the original brick buildings as you walk around . Explore the exhibitions , housed in some of the prison blocks , some of which are dedicated to victims from particular countries . You ’ ll also see Birkenau , once home to 300 prison barracks and four large gas chambers . Most of this camp was destroyed , but you will get an idea of the vast size of the area , fenced off with watchtowers , and you can enter some of the surviving barracks .
Then , back to Krakow for an evening meal .