Today we make our way to Bremerhaven. The harbor town is located about 40 miles north from Bremen at the seafront of the North Sea. 

We get there the same way as your German ancestors once did: by boat! It takes longer than by train or car, but we will surely pass by some beautiful sights and might feel even closer to your predecessors. And don’t worry: The modern ships are very comfortable! 

We will also enjoy a typical German breakfast on board of the boat. Once we dock in Bremerhaven, we visit the emigration museum “German Emigration Center”. In an interactive exhibition, the museum has recreated the journey that your ancestors would have taken when they emigrated from Bremerhaven to America. 

After so much food for thought, we enjoy the fresh breeze of the North Sea coastline and see the Emigrant statue at the original departure dock. From here, more than 7 million left for a new life overseas. 

Both, the harbor front and emigrant memorial, are located just a few steps by foot from the museum. After heading back to the city of Bremen, we meet up again for another included dinner.

Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner

Once we fueled up at our hotel’s hearty breakfast buffet, we make our way from Bremen to Cloppenburg in the neighboring state of Lower Saxony. Here, we will visit the open-air museum “Museumsdorf Cloppenburg” (museum village Cloppenburg). 

Old (farm) houses were brought here from all over this region in the northwest of Germany. So it’s almost like stepping into the past when we set foot in them. On a guided tour in English with a local guide, we travel back in time. 

During the tour, we learn more about what the daily life (and daily struggles) of your German ancestors were REALLY like. You will also have some time to explore the open-air museum on your own. And if you like, you can enjoy some authentic German lunch in the village inn. 

Tonight, we get together as a group again and enjoy another group dinner at an authentic German restaurant in the city of Bremen.

Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner

In German, there is a saying that goes “All good things have an end, just the sausage has two”. So unfortunately, our tour must come to an end today. After one last breakfast buffet, it’s time to say “Tschüss” (goodbye) to Bremen. 

But: By the end of your weekend in Bremen, you will have learnt a lot about emigration from northern Germany and the living conditions of your German ancestors prior to their emigration. 

You will understand the reasons why they emigrated and also have some insights into what their lives were like back in the home country. Now, it’s up to you to explore the next chapter of your ancestor’s journey. Perhaps your next stop is your ancestors’ German hometown(s)?

Meals included today: Breakfast