Northern Roots
This tour was custom designed for a family who's father had emigrated from Germany. First and foremost they wanted to see relatives in Bad Essen, Germany and visit Bremen and Bremerhaven, the area where their father had grown up. We combined these places with some other towns and sights of more general interest to tourists: Bruges, Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague.
We frequently design custom tours for our clients. Sometimes these tours are for a groups that wants to explore their family history. More often we do trips for families or groups of friends who want a tour, but don't want to be forced onto a bus with 40 other Americans. We can create a tour for up to eight people, designed to fit exactly with your own personal needs, budget and time. To schedule a tour like this for your own private group, or to find out about future tours like this, please contact us.
We frequently design custom tours for our clients. Sometimes these tours are for a groups that wants to explore their family history. More often we do trips for families or groups of friends who want a tour, but don't want to be forced onto a bus with 40 other Americans. We can create a tour for up to eight people, designed to fit exactly with your own personal needs, budget and time. To schedule a tour like this for your own private group, or to find out about future tours like this, please contact us.
Not currently scheduled. As shown, this tour is for 14 nights, 15 days. Rates priced from $2600 per person, based on eight people sharing four double rooms.
This tour was designed to fit the time, interests and budget of a private group. If you would like more information about organizing a private tour for your own group, contact us.
This tour was designed to fit the time, interests and budget of a private group. If you would like more information about organizing a private tour for your own group, contact us.
Day 1: Depart US.
Day 2: Arrive in Brussels. I'll meet you at the airport, and from there we'll drive about 90 minutes to the town of Bruges. Once you've had a chance to settle in and freshen up, we'll take a walk through the historic core of the city, past the fish market and the town hall, including a visit to a 12th-century hospital. Afterwards we'll listen to the chimes of the bell tower, which play out a song every 15 minutes. If we have a little free time in the late afternoon, you can shop, tour the local brewery or to visit the chocolate museum.
Day 3: Bruges. In the morning we'll ride the train about one hour to Brussels. Here we'll see the Grand Place, Europe's largest square, and visit the cathedral. Early afternoon return to Bruges, where we can visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, take a boat ride on the canals, or just wander and explore.
Day 4: Drive to Amsterdam. We'll drive about four hours to Amsterdam, and settle into our hotel. From here we'll take a walk through the historic core, and visit the Anne Frank House.
Day 5: Amsterdam. In the morning we'll tour the Rijksmuseum, which displays the best of Dutch and other northern European art, contrasting the styles of Catholic controlled Flanders and independent Holland. Afterwards we'll visit the Van Loon Museum. Still a private residence, but open to the public, this is the best way to experience the inside of a classic Dutch canal house short of breaking and entering. Afternoon for shopping, wandering, or a visit to the Van Gogh Museum.
Day 6: Drive about four hours from Amsterdam to Bad Essen, where we'll look around the area and have dinner with family.
Day 7: Breakfast with family, then we'll drive about two hours to Bremen. Sightseeing in Bremen.
Day 8: Bremen. Sightseeing in Bremen and/or Bremerhaven.
Day 9: Berlin. We'll head east about four hours to Berlin. We'll start with a drive through some of the most characteristic parts of this diverse city. In the evening we'll visit the Nikolai Quarter, one of the oldest parts of Berlin.
Day 10: Berlin. Today we'll visit sights related to WWII and the Cold War, including the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, the former Wall, and Checkpoint Charlie. In the late afternoon or evening we can walk along the Kü-damm and visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church.
Day 11: Berlin. We'll start with a visit to Museum Island and the Pergamon Museum, which houses a Roman temple from Pergamon, as well as the Ishtar Gate from Babylon, and a Roman gate from the city of Miletus. In the afternoon we'll take a boat ride on the Spree River through the heart of Berlin and stroll along Unter den Linden, Berlin's grandest avenue, with time for shopping or people watching.
Day 12: Prague. It's about four hours from Berlin to Prague, where we'll quickly settle in and take a historical walk through Old Town, the Jewish Quarter and Wenceslas Square.
Day 13: Prague. We'll finish of the trip with a tour of Castle Hill, including St Vitus Cathedral and the Royal Palace. Afterwards we'll walk through Lower Town and across the Charles Bridge to Old Town. Afternoon for some last minute shopping or relaxing.
Day 14: I'll drive you to the airport for you departure from Prague.
Day 2: Arrive in Brussels. I'll meet you at the airport, and from there we'll drive about 90 minutes to the town of Bruges. Once you've had a chance to settle in and freshen up, we'll take a walk through the historic core of the city, past the fish market and the town hall, including a visit to a 12th-century hospital. Afterwards we'll listen to the chimes of the bell tower, which play out a song every 15 minutes. If we have a little free time in the late afternoon, you can shop, tour the local brewery or to visit the chocolate museum.
Day 3: Bruges. In the morning we'll ride the train about one hour to Brussels. Here we'll see the Grand Place, Europe's largest square, and visit the cathedral. Early afternoon return to Bruges, where we can visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, take a boat ride on the canals, or just wander and explore.
Day 4: Drive to Amsterdam. We'll drive about four hours to Amsterdam, and settle into our hotel. From here we'll take a walk through the historic core, and visit the Anne Frank House.
Day 5: Amsterdam. In the morning we'll tour the Rijksmuseum, which displays the best of Dutch and other northern European art, contrasting the styles of Catholic controlled Flanders and independent Holland. Afterwards we'll visit the Van Loon Museum. Still a private residence, but open to the public, this is the best way to experience the inside of a classic Dutch canal house short of breaking and entering. Afternoon for shopping, wandering, or a visit to the Van Gogh Museum.
Day 6: Drive about four hours from Amsterdam to Bad Essen, where we'll look around the area and have dinner with family.
Day 7: Breakfast with family, then we'll drive about two hours to Bremen. Sightseeing in Bremen.
Day 8: Bremen. Sightseeing in Bremen and/or Bremerhaven.
Day 9: Berlin. We'll head east about four hours to Berlin. We'll start with a drive through some of the most characteristic parts of this diverse city. In the evening we'll visit the Nikolai Quarter, one of the oldest parts of Berlin.
Day 10: Berlin. Today we'll visit sights related to WWII and the Cold War, including the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, the former Wall, and Checkpoint Charlie. In the late afternoon or evening we can walk along the Kü-damm and visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church.
Day 11: Berlin. We'll start with a visit to Museum Island and the Pergamon Museum, which houses a Roman temple from Pergamon, as well as the Ishtar Gate from Babylon, and a Roman gate from the city of Miletus. In the afternoon we'll take a boat ride on the Spree River through the heart of Berlin and stroll along Unter den Linden, Berlin's grandest avenue, with time for shopping or people watching.
Day 12: Prague. It's about four hours from Berlin to Prague, where we'll quickly settle in and take a historical walk through Old Town, the Jewish Quarter and Wenceslas Square.
Day 13: Prague. We'll finish of the trip with a tour of Castle Hill, including St Vitus Cathedral and the Royal Palace. Afterwards we'll walk through Lower Town and across the Charles Bridge to Old Town. Afternoon for some last minute shopping or relaxing.
Day 14: I'll drive you to the airport for you departure from Prague.
Price includes: accommodations in comfortable, characteristic hotels, all in central locations; all ground transportation from arrival in Brussels to departure from Prague; breakfast each morning; entry and tour of all sights mentioned in the itinerary; the services of your Hand Crafted guide, who also acts as driver, interpreter, and window on European culture and history.
Not included: airfare to and from Europe; meals other than breakfast; free time sightseeing admissions or transportation.
Not included: airfare to and from Europe; meals other than breakfast; free time sightseeing admissions or transportation.