Hear about a German road trip to 9 UNESCO Cities as the Amateur Traveler talks to Renee Hannes from dreamplanexperience.com about her exploration of the land of her ancestors.

https://amateurtraveler.com/germany-road-trip-to-9-unesco-cities/

Renee says, "I just returned from living in Berlin for 3 months. So had an opportunity to make a little bit of a longer trip and was there with my husband and dog and lived in Berlin and I had a good chance to be able to see the city and lots of other places around it. I had this long list of places on my to-do list. I think like most travelers, I become very quickly overwhelmed with how many places I wanted to see. So I thought why not think about what are those places that are worthy of a visit?"

"That's where I came upon thinking about it from a UNESCO perspective and UNESCO sites are always worthy places to visit special places to visit in terms of the history and the moments in history that they help create and shape the architecture that usually is pretty spectacular to be able to see from, nature and the landscapes that we want to protect and then also it gives us really good insights into the culture. So after I had that long list, I went back and thought, what is close to Berlin? And that's how I was able to stumble on these 9 destinations."

City 1: Berlin

• UNESCO Site:
  • Museum Island: Spend the first day exploring Museum Island, home to five world-class museums. Delve into history, art, and archaeology at the Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Bode Museum, and the famous Pergamon Museum (when it reopens).

City 2: Potsdam (Day Trip from Berlin)

• UNESCO Site:
  • Sans Souci Palace and Park: Explore the stunning Sans Souci Palace, a masterpiece of Rococo architecture, surrounded by beautiful gardens, fountains, and other palaces.
• Optional Activities:
  • Visit the Dutch Quarter and the historic center of Potsdam.

City 3: Wittenberg (Short Train Ride from Berlin)

• UNESCO Site:
  • Martin Luther's 95 Theses Site: Visit the place where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
• City Exploration:
  • Wander through the charming streets of Wittenberg's Old Town.
  • If possible, visit the city in June for the Luther Wedding celebration.

City 4: Quedlinburg

• UNESCO Site:
  • Old Town with Half-Timbered Houses: Immerse yourself in the enchanting medieval atmosphere of Quedlinburg's Old Town, characterized by over 1300 half-timbered houses.
• Activities:
  • Climb to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the town from the castle.
  • Explore the Quedlinburg Cathedral and the Culture Church.
  • Visit museums showcasing the town's history and heritage.

City 5: Goslar (Day Trip from Quedlinburg)

• UNESCO Sites:
  • Imperial Palace (Kaiserpfalz): Discover the grandeur of the Imperial Palace overlooking Goslar.
• Optional Activities:
  • Take a guided tour of the Rammelsberg mine, gaining insights into a thousand years of mining history.
  • Explore the old town with its half-timbered houses and churches.
  • Take a ride on a train through the Harz Mountains on the Harz Railway.

City 6: Hamburg

• Highlights:
  • Warehouse District (Speicherstadt): Explore the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt, Hamburg's historic warehouse district. Marvel at the red brick buildings lining the canals, reminiscent of the city's trading past.
  • Hamburg City Center: Stroll through the city center, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, and visit landmarks like St. Michael's Church and the Rathaus (City Hall).

City 7: Lubeck (Day Trip from Hamburg)

• UNESCO Site:
  • Holstentor Gate: Visit the iconic Holstentor Gate, the entrance to Lubeck's Old Town, representing the city's historical significance as a trading hub.
  • Exploring Beyond Main Streets: Wander off the main streets to discover elegant homes reflecting the wealth of medieval merchants. Explore St. Mary's Church and other architectural gems.
  • Marzipan Delights: Visit the Niederegger marzipan shop to indulge in marzipan treats and learn about the city's marzipan-making history.

Cities 8 and 9: Wismar and Stralsund

• UNESCO Sites:
  • Wismar: Explore the charming town of Wismar on the Baltic Sea, known for its fortified walls, historic market square, and lively harbor atmosphere.
  • Stralsund: Visit Stralsund, another Baltic Sea gem, with a large public square featuring diverse architectural styles. Explore St. Nicholas Church and enjoy seafood at the harbor.

Return to Berlin

A 9-city UNESCO road trip through Germany offers a blend of historical exploration, architectural marvels, and scenic beauty.

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