Day 1

Frankfurt, Leipzig

Arrival at the Frankfurt airport and transfer to Leipzig by Train(ICE / 2nd class, duration: ca 3.5hrs)

After check-in at hotel, free.

Stay at 4 star hotel in Leipzig city centre.

Day 2

Leipzig

Breakfast at hotel

Full day free

Full day Hop-on/Hop-off Bus tour in Leipzig city. (13 stops)

Duration : ca.1.5 Hours

Highlights

-Experience the most beautiful, impressive, and interesting places in Leipzig

-Enjoy the "Little Venice" of Leipzig, with its numerous waterways

-Discover the zoo, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, and St. Thomas Church

St Thomas's Church

This 13C church took on its current three-nave form in the late 15C. It is famous for Johann Sebastian Bach, who was "cantor" here and who rests in the church, but also for the Thomanerchors, a choir from the school of St Thomas founded in the 13C.

Bachmuseum

The Bach Museum contains documents recounting Bach's life, work and influence and it is largely devoted to the years Bach spent in Leipzig.

Forum for Contemporary History

This interesting museum, dedicated to the history of the city and of East Germany after the war, was designed as a heritage site. The exhibition charts key moments of contemporary history and poignantly evokes the daily lives of its citizens via quotations, banners, extracts from key speeches, demonstration flyers, photographs etc.

St Nicholas's Church

Initially built in the Romanesque style, this building was transformed into a Gothic hall church around 1520. Thirty paintings by Adam Friedrich Oeser adorn the porches and choir. In the latter, don't miss the Romanesque-style wooden crucifix that is said to be the oldest work of art in Leipzig.

Stay at 4 star hotel in Leipzig city centre.

Day 3

Leipzig, Erfurt

Breakfast at hotel

In AM, Transfer to Erfurt by Train(ICE / 2nd class, duration: ca 45 mins-1hr)

After check-in at the hotel, free.

Enjoy sightseeing in Erfurt.

Point

Cathedral of Our Lady

A chancel, nave and Gothic portals were added to the original Romanesque basilica, built in 1154 on a hill occupied by the citadel. Several works of art grace the interior, such as the Romanesque Altar of the Virgin (1160), the statue candelabra (1160) and few stunning stained-glass windows (chancel).

Church of St Sever

Formerly the Benedictine monks' abbey church, the Early Gothic church of Saint Severinus boasts five aisles. Admire the sarcophagus of St Severinus, bishop of Ravenna, in the southernmost aisle

Krämer Bridge

Known as the "grocers' bridge", this construction is characteristic of bridges in the northern Alps. It is bordered on both sides by houses which are inhabited.

Stay at 4 star hotel in Erfurt city centre.

Day 4

Erfurt

Breakfast at hotel

Full day free

Suggestion 1 : Visit to Eisenach (duration: ca 45 mins by Train) with Thüringen-Ticket

Suggestion 2 : Visit of Weimar + Jena with Thüringen-Ticket

Thüringen-Ticket is valid for as many journeys as you want in the relevant federal state during its period of validity, regardless of the connection indicated. If up to 2 people purchase the Thüringen-Ticket, one of them can bring an unlimited number of children/grandchildren aged 0-15. Discounts are available for up to four people travelling with you. From Mon-Fri, your ticket is valid from 09:00 to 03:00 of the following day; on Sat, Sun and public holidays, it is valid from midnight to 03:00 of the following day. Your ticket gives you access to all other forms of transport provided by the transport associations operating within the area covered by the offer. www.bahn.de/agb

Duration by Train : (Erfurt-Weimar : ca,15 mins, Weimar-Jena : ca. 15 mins , Jena-Erfurt : duration ca.30 mins )

Eisenach

A major centre of German culture, Luther's "beloved town" was also the birthplace of the genius Bach, born in a modest house in the historic centre. Dominating the town and its picturesque alleyways from the top of its rocky outcrop, Wartburg Castle was once the site of the famous poetic jousts between troubadours. This national monument, where Luther found refuge and Wager the inspiration for his Tannhäuser, draws almost 400 000 visitors a year.

Point

Fortress of Wartburg

Perched on a rocky spur, the fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999) is made up of an assortment of constructions from different periods. The 12C porch leads into the outer courtyard, which is framed by half-timbered 15C and 16C buildings. The palace is renowned for its Romanesque arcade dating from the early 13C. The redoubt and south tower command a splendid view.

Birthplace of Bach

This house is considered to be the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach, the son of a wealthy musician. The interior provides fascinating insights into the lifestyle and tastes of a late-17C burgher.

Market Square

A statue of St George, the town's patron saint, stands on the fountain in the centre of the

Marktplatz. 

With its sober Baroque façade, the castle houses the Thüringer Museum. The three-storey 16C Rathaus (town hall) illustrates both the Baroque and Renaissance styles. The church, Georgenkirche, contains the tombstones of several Landgraves of Thuringia.

Weimar :

Weimar is the undisputed "capital of German classicism". The whole city evokes the memory of its past geniuses: in this city Cranach painted his last major work, Bach was chapel master, Liszt directed the opera, Nietzsche ended his days, and Goethe lived for more than twenty years. 

Point 

Goethe's House and National Goethe Museum 

Goethe lived in this Frauenplan Baroque house for more than twenty years, from 1809 to his death in 1832. The interior is for the most part the way he left it. The living rooms, workroom and library are all open to the public.

Schillers Wohnhaus

The writer moved here in 1802 to be nearer to his great friend Goethe. It was here that he wrote William Tell and The Bride of Messina. Part of the house has been converted into a museum.

Deutsches Nationaltheater

The German National Theatre was built in 1907 It was in this old building that Schiller's great plays were first staged and directed by Goethe. It was here that, in 1850, the first performance of Wagner's Lohengrin was given. The statues of Goethe and Schiller stand in front of e the theatre

Jena :

Northeast of the Thuringian Forest, began to expand after its university was founded. From that point, the city's name was made, thanks to numerous scientists and thinkers, such as Goethe, Schiller and the Humboldt brothers. In the mid-19C, Carl Zeiss and Ernst Abbe developed the optical industry, starting with the invention of the microscope.

Point

Zeiss-Planetarium der Ernst-Abbe-Stiftung

The planetarium, built beside the botanical garden by the Zeiss firm, takes spectators on a journey through outer space to explore star systems and the movement of the planets.

Stadtkirche St. Michaelis

The old collegiate church of the Cistercians was remodelled in the Gothic style during 15C.

Stay at 4 star hotel in Erfurt city centre.

Day 5

Erfurt, Frankfurt

Breakfast at hotel

Keep your luggage at the hotel storage.

Free time until departure.

Transfer from Erfurt to Frankfurt airport by Train (ICE / 2nd class,duration: ca 2hrs 40 mins)