Warnemunde

Towering above the surrounding meadows and trees, the restored Bad Doberan Minster was originally built as a monastery and was a primary focal point of the community until the Protestant Reformation. Today, the Minster is an important historical sight of the Mecklenburg region. Your guided visit of the beautiful interior reveals the impressive winged altar, tabernacle and sanctuary lamp.

The tiny ‘Molli’ is a narrow-gauge railway train, which has been in operation since 1886, pulled by an old-fashioned steam locomotive. You’ll board the train at the historic train station in Bad Doberan for an approx. 20-minute ride through the scenic landscape of Doberan Linden Alley, a 2-mile-long strip, lined with lovely century-old Linden trees. On arrival in Heiligendamm, known as the ‘White City on the Coast’, board your coach for a short ride to another old seaside resort, Kühlungsborn.

In Kühlungsborn, you’ll have an opportunity to take a short stroll down to the beach promenade.

In Kühlungsborn relax with refreshments including a slice of wonderful German gateau.

Your guided walk through the Hanseatic town of Rostock includes a visit to Market Square. This medieval square is lined with carefully-preserved gabled buildings with beautiful façades. Pass by the Town Hall, old post station, city wall and Holy Cross Monastery. See the neo-renaissance Rostock University and the Kroepeliner City Gate. Observe the sharp contrasts between the medieval and 1950’s buildings in the centre and between the modern housing blocks and 19th century villas in the suburbs.

The most famous of Rostock’s 7 medieval churches, St Mary’s, was the favourite church of rich Hanseatic merchants and dukes. Inside is an amazing astronomical clock, which is still in working condition and is maintained by the Mathematics Faculty of the University of Rostock.The calendar dates from the 14th century to the year 2017.

You’ll have some free time to explore Rostock at leisure and perhaps purchase a souvenir of your visit.

Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Warnow River back to Warnemünde. Sit back, relax with some local refreshments as you take in the views.

Situated on an oval island, the old town of Lübeck is one of the most impressive intact examples of medieval Gothic architecture. The city’s old patrician houses and red brick churches are now included on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. Enjoy the ambience of the old town with the well-known Holsten Gate – the landmark of the city and one of the few relics of the city fortress. Pay a visit to St Mary’s Church, the model for many other brick-built churches in the Baltic area. Pass by the City Hall, known to be one of the oldest in Germany, the Buddenbrooks House and the Füchtingshof – one of the most impressive of the 82 alleyways in Lübeck.

Enjoy some free time to explore the shops and boutiques, and why not treat yourself to a slice of marzipan cake and a coffee at the world famous Cafe Niederegger.

A 2-course lunch, including a glass of wine, beer or soft drink, will be served in one of Lübeck’s restaurants.

Board an authentic, well-preserved tram, which was once Rostock’s main transportation system and enjoy a nostalgic 25-minute ride into the heart of the city.

Step back in time with a brief city walk through Mecklenburg Vorpommern’s largest city. See the University of Rostock, founded in 1419, and take a leisurely stroll through the Kroepeliner Strasse and Am Neuen Markt. Explore the quaint shopping streets, which have flourished since the re-unification of east and west Germany in 1990. Even though the city centre was largely destroyed during WWII, you’ll still find many historical buildings in this district.

Inside St Mary’s Church is an amazing astronomical clock, which is still in working condition. The calendar dates from the 14th century to the year 2017. Spend time at leisure in Rostock, before joining the river cruise along the Warnow River back to Warnemünde. Sit back, relax and taste some typical and traditional German refreshments.

A 30-minute drive brings you to Rostock, passing the typical eastern-bloc living quarters of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's biggest city. You’ll travel through Rostock's centre with its centuries old redbrick architecture and Hanseatic ambience. Pass the beautiful City Hall, and St. Mary's Church - Rostock's famous landmark. Continue past ruins of the old city walls and a former STASI prison (State Security of former East Germany, that was commanded by the KGB), before continuing your panoramic journey into the countryside.

You’ll pass by the Bad Doberan Cathedral, one of Northern Germany’s largest and mightiest medieval churches, which dominates the rest of the village and nearby fields. From here, you’ll continue down part of Germany’s longest Linden Tree avenue, through countryside and small villages before returning to the quayside.

Board a modern tram for a 35-minute journey into the heart of Rostock city. On arrival, take part in a brief orientation walk. See northern Europe’s oldest university built in the Italian Renaissance style. Stroll through the Kroepeliner Strasse and Am Neuen Markt and browse the quaint shopping streets, which have flourished since the re-unification of east and west Germany in 1990. Inside St Mary’s is an amazing astronomical clock, which is still in working condition. The calendar dates from the 14th century to the year 2017.

After some free time, you’ll walk down to the jetty to join your cruise along the Warnow River, ending in Warnemünde. Whilst on board, savour a traditional snack with a drink.

Climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage for a 1-1½ hour ride through the charming seaside town of Warnemünde and its countryside. The region is full of history and is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Germans. Sit back and enjoy your ride through Mecklenburg’s countryside, past small villages, century-old homes, crooked-walled buildings, ancient barns and restored houses.

Stop to ‘stretch your legs’ at one of the last remaining original farmhouses in the area. Meet the farmer and enjoy refreshments and a traditional German Bratwurst.

Many of the houses here have thatched roofs, a tradition that has lasted for generations and one that local residents maintain with much dedication and energy. During your stop, you’ll see a presentation on the art of thatched roofing.

Your return to the ship will be by coach, via the typical eastern-bloc living quarters of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Transfer to Bad Doberan, former summer residence of Mecklenburg Dukes. Here you will board the tiny ‘Molli’ narrow-gauge steam train for a 15-20 minute journey which will take you through the scenic landscape of Mecklenburg and the longest Linden alley.

‘Puffing’ at an approximate speed of 35km/h, your journey will end in Heiligendamm, where you’ll be welcomed by your horse drawn carriage for a scenic ride through the oldest Seaside resort, Heiligendamm and its countryside.

Your destination is the ‘White Town by the Sea’, the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm, which was voted as the most beautiful hotel in the world next to the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo and Le Grand Hotel International in Paris.

Enjoy German style ‘high tea’, which will consist of tea or coffee and a selection of delicious German cakes and gateau at this majestic venue. Your return will be by coach.

Leaving Warnemunde behind you’ll meander through the lush countryside of Mecklenburg to Güstrow. On arrival in the old town, your guide will host you on a walk passing Güstrow Cathedral, which is home to Ernst Barlach’s famous sculpture ‘The Hoverer’ and St Marien Parish Church, built in the early 14th century. Fringed with classicist buildings and four medieval gabled houses is Market Square, one of the finest in Mecklenburg. Spend some time at leisure (time permitting) exploring the quaint streets and shops.

Afterwards, you’ll visit Güstrow Chateau, which is one of the few remaining representative Renaissance buildings in north Germany. With your guide you’ll wander through the many reception rooms including the Great Hall with its stucco décor, dating from 1620, certainly the most attractive part of the chateau. Before leaving enjoy a refreshing glass of chilled sparkling wine in the garden or grounds.