Just a 40-minute drive from our local depot, Potsdam is a quick and easy first stop on this East German road trip from Berlin.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is poised on the banks of the River Havel, with an interesting blend of architecture, history and green spaces.
Your first stop should be Sanssouci Palace, truly Germany’s answer to Versailles. Once the summer residence of King Frederick the Great, this opulent palace is dripping with luxury and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.
If spy novels are more your thing, Potsdam has plenty of Cold War intrigue to get you revved up. Glienicke Bridge once formed the border between West Berlin and East Germany, making it an ideal spot for the authorities to swap captured secret agents.
For this reason, it became known as the “Bridge of Spies,” and even served as a filming location for the film of the same name, inspired by true events and starring Tom Hanks.
Haven't you heard? Leipzig's the new Berlin! One of Germany's oldest cities is enjoying a modern-day renaissance thanks to a recent influx of creatives and young professionals.
Hip cafés, clubs and galleries are popping up everywhere, making it a must-stop on any eastern Germany road-trip itinerary.
Where else but Leipzig can you catch a concert of Johann Sebastian Bach's greatest hits, then dance the night away to the latest techno? The wave of artists and musicians flocking to the city has created an infectious energy that pulses day and night.
Soak up the beautiful architecture in the Old Town, then head to Karli (short for Karl-Liebknecht-Straße) to dance the night away in techno clubs that rival those in sister city Berlin.
Zipping right along the autobahn, you’ll cross the border and reach the Czech capital in around three hours.
On arrival, take advantage of Prague's excellent public transport to easily get around the city. Join a free walking tour at Náměstí Republiky to tick off the main sights in one afternoon: Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock Tower and Old Town Square are worth battling selfie stick-wielding crowds to see.
On the other side of the Vltava, Prague Castle cuts an imposing figure on the city skyline. Explore the church, castle complex and surrounding gardens at your leisure before grabbing a shameless photo opportunity at the colourful John Lennon Wall.
There are usually some extra brushes and paint lying around, so feel free to leave your mark (political statement or otherwise).
When you’re ready for a pivo or three, there are traditional beer gardens like Letna and Riegrovy Sady, or head to the hip riverside hangout Naplavka.
Görlitz might just be the coolest German city you’ve never heard of. Nestled right up against the Polish border, this sweet Saxon spot is the perfect final stop on the western leg of your road trip.
Park your campervan and hit the cobbled streets of its beautifully preserved Old Town. You might even recognise scenes from films like Inglourious Basterds and The Grand Budapest Hotel — they both filmed scenes in Görlitz.
Buildings in the Old Town include a late-Gothic church, early-Renaissance and Baroque museums, and even Art Nouveau. The Altstadtbrücke (Old Town Bridge) links Görlitz to the Polish town of Zgorzelec.
Stroll right across and tick off a third country on the same road trip! Back on the German side, no visit to Görlitz is complete without sampling some local flavours.
The signature dish is Schlesisches Himmelreich, smoked pork loin served with dumplings, dried plums and apricots. Sleep well on a full stomach and head back to Berlin the next morning.
