World War II History Tour in Berlin and Kraków

On your first full day in Berlin, students will take a walking tour that emphasises the historical significance of the city’s sites to the Third Reich. On the tour, a local expert guide will cover a number of topics, including the deportation of Jews, the Battle for Berlin, Nazi institutions like the Luftwaffe, and Hitler’s last days in the bunker.

Following lunch at the Mall of Berlin, you will spend time reflecting at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, which spans a full city block.

Afterwards, visit the iconic Brandenburg Gate, then head to the German Parliament Building (previously the Reichstag) where the Nazis seized power in 1933. A very interesting guided tour is available when parliament is not sitting, and the futuristic dome is climbable year-round.

In the evening, you’ll have dinner at the traditional Hofbrauhaus with an Oompah band.

Today, the focus shifts to the victims of National Socialism, starting at the Jewish Museum. Their permanent exhibition focuses on Jewish life in the past and present, which provides valuable insight into Jewish culture and traditions.

Next, students will visit the Topography of Terror Museum, constructed on the old Gestapo Headquarters location. Here, they’ll discover photos and documents illustrating the history of persecution during the Nazi era by the Gestapo and the SS.

After lunch, you’ll pay a visit to the Neue Synagogue. The Old Synagogue was destroyed first by the Nazis on Kristallnacht, then by World War II bombing. Today, the New Synagogue and the Jewish Centre it houses are important symbols of Jewish life in post-reunification Germany.

The day finishes around Zoologischer Garten, with a visit to the shell of the former Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche, which was almost fully destroyed by bombing during WWII.

Later on, there is time to explore Berlin’s answer to the Champs-Elysees – Kurfürstendamm.

In preparation for the trip to Auschwitz, today students will visit the House of the Wannsee Conference, just outside Berlin. This is the site where, in 1942, the Nazis planned ‘The Final Solution’, which accelerated the mass deportation of persecuted groups to the death camps. Here, you will have the chance to see original documents from the conference, as well as the opportunity to take part in an informative seminar with a specialist about life under the regime. They’ll discuss how groups were persecuted – and how it is still relevant today.

Afer this, you’ll head back to Berlin, where you’ll have some free time to explore any sights you still want to experience. Then take a direct, late afternoon train to Kraków.

This morning, you’ll drop your bags at your hotel once you’ve arrived in Kraków. You’ll then depart on a walking tour of the centre of the city, and will explore the Jewish quarter in Kazimierz. For lunch, you’ll experience the traditional Polish dish of pierogi.

In the afternoon, students will visit the Enamel Factory. Formerly owned by Oskar Schindler, and later made famous by the movie Schindler’s List, you’ll discover the incredible story how Oskar saved the lives of numerous Jewish labourers.

In the evening, you’ll enjoy a traditional Jewish dinner with music in Kazimierz.

Your final day sees students visit the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. Here, they will be guided around by an expert as they embark on a one-day study tour.

In the evening, they will have a chance to reflect on their learnings from the day, and indeed, the week.

Today, your World War II school tour comes to an end, and you’ll check out, ready to return home.