Have you ever wondered what the emigration experience was like for your German ancestors? Find out on this emigration-themed guided group tour from Bremen! We will visit the famous North German emigration port cities of Bremen and Bremerhaven as well as a living history museum in Lower Saxony. Join us to literally walk in your ancestors’ footsteps!
On this weekend emigration adventure, we will comfortably stay in the same centrally located 4-star hotel in Bremen for 4 nights. From our base in Bremen, we will explore medieval town centers, interactive emigration museums, lively harbor towns and a living history museum where we will travel back in time. All while enjoying hearty German food and breathing in the fresh breeze of the north German coastline.
4-star hotel in Bremen (ATLANTIC Grand Hotel Bremen *or similar if not available)
Qualified and specialized tour leader for the duration of the trip
Included meals: 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
Transport on day trips to Bremerhaven and Cloppenburg
Small group size of 16 tour participants maximum
Tour briefing Zoom call 4 weeks prior to each tour
Tour price:$ 1,717 per person in double room, $ 1,997 per person in single room
Make it a private tour for your group!
You can also book this tour as a private group tour at any time during the year. Contact us via email to discuss the date you have in mind for your private tour.
To securely process your booking payment, we partnered up with the specialized tour operator payment processor WeTravel.com.
If you decide to book the tour and click on the “Book Now” Button below, you will be redirected to the website of WeTravel.com to complete and secure your booking.
Willkommen in Bremen! After your arrival, meet your tour leader and the other tour participants and head to Bremen’s medieval Schnoor quarter for tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 2: Bremen
Explore the city of Bremen on an emigration-themed guided group tour and enjoy some free time after.
Day 3: Bremerhaven
Re-live your ancestors’ journey at the interactive emigration museum in Bremerhaven.
Day 4: Cloppenburg
Travel back in time and get an inside view of old, original farm houses at a living history museum in Cloppenburg, Lower Saxony.
Day 5: Bremen
Say farewell to Bremen and continue your ancestral adventure in Germany and/or Europe.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bremen
Welcome to the Hanseatic city of Bremen! It’s an almost magical feeling to be “back home”, knowing that for the next few days, you will walk in the same paths as your German ancestors once did.
Make your own way to the hotel or book a transfer from Bremen’s main train station or Bremen airport (extra charge).
Once you have settled in, meet your tour leader and the other group participants in the hotel lobby.
Tonight, we enjoy our first included welcome dinner at a cozy restaurant and get to know the other tour participants.
Meals included today: Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Bremen
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel’s breakfast buffet, we will head to the nearby medieval market square and enjoy an emigration-themed guided walking tour of the city of Bremen.
We will pass by all highlights of the city: The 600-year-old town hall and Roland statue, the 1,000-year-old cathedral, the Bremen Town Musicians statue from the famous Bremen fairy tale, the old harbor front at the river and the medieval Schnoor quarter with Bremen’s oldest houses.
This afternoon, the choice is yours: Either join one of our optional activities (we will send you a list 30 days prior to your trip) in Bremen or enjoy some free time for shopping, an extended lunch or “Kaffee and Kuchen” (coffee and cake).
Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Day trip to Bremerhaven
Today we make our way to Bremerhaven. The harbor town is located about 50 miles north from Bremen at the seafront of the North Sea.
We get there the same way as your German ancestors 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!
Here, 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 which more than 7 million left for a new life overseas. Both 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
Day 4: Day trip to a living history museum in Cloppenburg
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 have some authentic German lunch in the “village inn”.
Tonight, we get together as a group again and enjoy another group dinner in the city of Bremen.
Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Departure from Bremen
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. So 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.
So perhaps you will continue your ancestry-inspired trip in Germany or even other countries in Europe. For example, to your ancestors’ German hometowns.
Welcome to the Hanseatic city of Bremen! It’s an almost magical feeling to be “back home”, knowing that for the next few days, you will walk in the same paths as your German ancestors once did.
Make your own way to the hotel or book a transfer from Bremen’s main train station or Bremen airport (extra charge).
Once you have settled in, meet your tour leader and the other group participants in the hotel lobby.
Tonight, we enjoy our first included welcome dinner at a cozy restaurant and get to know the other tour participants.
Meals included today: Welcome Dinner
The medieval Schnoor quarter
Day 2: Bremen
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel’s breakfast buffet, we will head to the nearby medieval market square and enjoy an emigration-themed guided walking tour of the city of Bremen.
We will pass by all highlights of the city: The 600-year-old town hall and Roland statue, the 1,000-year-old cathedral, the Bremen Town Musicians statue from the famous Bremen fairy tale, the old harbor front at the river and the medieval Schnoor quarter with Bremen’s oldest houses.
This afternoon, the choice is yours: Either join one of our optional activities (we will send you a list 30 days prior to your trip) in Bremen or enjoy some free time for shopping, an extended lunch or “Kaffee and Kuchen” (coffee and cake).
Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner
Statue of the Bremen Town Musicians fairy tale in Bremen
Day 3: Day trip to Bremerhaven
Today we make our way to Bremerhaven. The harbor town is located about 50 miles north from Bremen at the seafront of the North Sea.
We get there the same way as your German ancestors 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!
Here, 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 which more than 7 million left for a new life overseas. Both 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
Emigrant memorial in Bremerhaven
Day 4: Day trip to a living history museum in Cloppenburg
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 have some authentic German lunch in the “village inn”.
Tonight, we get together as a group again and enjoy another group dinner in the city of Bremen.
Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner
Old farm house in the open-air museum “Museumsdorf Cloppenburg”
Day 5: Departure from Bremen
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. So 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.
So perhaps you will continue your ancestry-inspired trip in Germany or even other countries in Europe. For example, to your ancestors’ German hometowns.
Meals included today: Breakfast
The town hall and Roland statue in Bremen are more than 600 years old
Cost
Tour price per person in double room: 1,717 $ (USD) based on two people sharing a double room.
Tour price per person in single room: 1,997 $ (USD) based on one person staying in one single room.
If you decide to book the tour and click on the “Book Now” Button below, you will be redirected to the website of WeTravel.com to complete and secure your booking. You can pay by credit card, ACH payment and, depending on your region, more payment methods.
The currency is set to US Dollars per default. But you can change it to other currencies, including Euros or Canadian Dollars, at the checkout.
At the time of booking, the customer can decide whether they would like to pay the full amount of the travel price at once or the minimum deposit of 20 %. This deposit will be deducted from the total travel price. The remaining payment must be made up to 30 days before the start of the tour at the latest.
Don’t miss out! Limited offer: If you book this tour by July 15, 2024, you get a whopping $100 off per person with the code SUMMER2024!
Just enter the code on the checkout page!
Just enter the code SUMMER2024 at the checkout to receive $100 off the tour price per person.
Tip: You can also book this tour as a private group tour at any time during the year. Contact us via email to discuss the date you have in mind for your private tour.
Countdown to the next tour:
The next tour starts on Thursday, 31st of July 2025!
Remember that bookings for this tour close 30 days prior to the tour! So on 1st of July 2025 for the next tour!
In this map, you can see the locations of Bremen, Bremerhaven and Cloppenburg. You can zoom in and out to see further locations on the map.
About your tour guide
Hallo! My name is Sonja Irani and I will be your group tour leader on this trip. I am a specialized tour guide for emigration history and ancestry-inspired travel in Bremen and Germany. As your tour leader, I will be with you every day 24/7 to guide and help with any questions and/or concerns you may have.
Join the tour now and let’s walk in your ancestor’s footsteps together!
No, flights are not included in the tour price. If you need help finding and booking your flights to Germany, consider enrolling in our upcoming Germany trip planning online course.
u003cstrongu003eWhen and where does the tour start?u003c/strongu003e
On the day of arrival, you will meet up with your tour leader and the other tour participants in the hotel lobby in Bremen. More details will follow in a briefing call via Zoom.
Can I arrive earlier or stay longer at the same hotel?
Yes, you can book additional nights at the hotel either before or after the tour through us. Please contact us via email at tours@myancestorsjourney.com.
How many people are on the tours?
Our tours are small, varying between 8 people minimum and 16 people maximum.
Will the trip be cancelled if there are not enough participants?
Yes. The minimum number for each tour to take place is 8 tour participants. If this number is not reached, the tour will be be cancelled. Anyone who already booked the tour will be notified 4 weeks prior to the departure date.
What happens when a tour is cancelled, but I already paid part of or the full tour price?
Anyone who has already booked the tour will of course receive a full refund for everything paid so far.
Can you accommodate my dietary restrictions?
Yes, we accommodate the needs of any food allergies and vegans / vegetarians / pescatarians as best as we can. Please let us know as early as possible. If you can, please fill in any dietary requirements at the time of booking the tour. At the very last, tell your tour leader on the day of arrival.
What’s the required fitness level for this tour?
There is a fair bit of walking involved. Guests should be comfortable with walking around 2 miles on our guided city and museum tours.
What if I have mobility issues?
Please let us know in advance if you have any mobility issues or any requests regarding mobility. That way, we can ensure that you will have a good time during the tour!
How do I get from the train station or airport to the hotel?
To get to and from the hotel in Bremen, you can either use the public transport (tram or busses) or a taxi. There are always lots of taxis in front of the train station and at the airport of Bremen. If you come with a rental car, you can also park at the hotel or nearby. In our preparation call, you will get more detailed info on these options. If you have more questions, please email us at tours@myancestorsjourney.com.
What kind of travel documents do I need to take with me?
The most important document is your passport. Please ensure that your passport is still valid for a full 6 months after you return from your trip. If you have any personal ID cards and proof of vaccinations (especially against COVID-19), please also take these documents with you. From 2025, there will be a new EU document to fill in before your trip. More on that in our preparation call.
What happens if I have a medical emergency during the trip?
Your tour leader will be the first point of contact if anything happens to you during the tour that requires medical assistance. You will also get the tour leader’s cell phone number in case of any emergencies.
Is health insurance included in the tour price?
No, private health insurance is not included in our tour price. Your health insurance back home will not cover any treatments during a medical emergency in Germany. For this reason, we highly recommend to get additional travel health insurance – especially if you are over 50 years old. If you need help finding travel health insurance as well as other insurances you may consider for your trip to Germany, you can enroll in our upcoming Germany trip planning online course.
u003cstrongu003eDo I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or any other vaccinations / health tests for entering Germany?u003c/strongu003e
At the time of writing this (May 2023), the COVID-19 restrictions to enter Germany have been lifted and you no longer need to document proof of vaccination. However, thisu003cstrongu003e u003c/strongu003emay change again in the future. Therefore, it’s every traveler’s own responsibility to double check the entry requirements for the time and country they will travel to. You will be given more information on current entry or health restrictions in Germany and how you can prepare for your trip in a briefing call prior to your tour departure date.
Do I need face masks for my trip to Germany?
We recommend to take some medical FFP2 face masks with you when you travel to Germany. Although they are no longer required in most places right now, this may change again in the future. And if you do get infected with the COVID-19 virus or any other virus, you should wear them in order to protect yourself and others from getting infected.
I am a solo traveler. Can I still book this tour?
Yes, of course! Joining the tour traveling by yourself is absolutely possible. Our ancestry-inspired group tours are a great to meet new, like-minded people. By paying a single room supplement as indicated above, you can reserve a single room for the duration of your stay at the hotel.
Are drinks included in the meals?
No, the included meals mentioned in the program only cover food. Drinks are at everyone’s own expense.
Do you have any recommendations for restaurants during free time in Bremen?
Yes, we do. And everyone who books our tour will receive a free complimentary mini guide for the best places to eat and drink in the city of Bremen.
Will there be different hotels or just one?
We will only stay in one hotel for the entire tour. So there will be no hotel changes.
Are tips for the tour guides, drivers and other staff included?
No, tips are not included in the mentioned tour prices. Tips are not compulsory in Germany. However, they are appreciated of course. But you can also show your appreciation by leaving us a review and mentioning the names of your guides or drivers.
u003cstrongu003eIs tipping the tour guides and bus driver compulsory?u003c/strongu003e
Tips are not compulsory in Germany. However, they are appreciated of course. But you can also show your appreciation by leaving us a review and mentioning the names of your guides or drivers.
Is this tour for Americans only?
The tour has been designed primarily for US-Americans who have German ancestors. However, you can also take it if you live in another part of the world, have German ancestors and plan a trip to Germany to learn more about your German ancestors.
Is this tour suitable for all ancestry research skill levels?
Yes. Prior ancestry research is not necessarily required. During the tour, we will visit some great places to learn more about the general living conditions and the emigration experience of your German ancestors. Knowing which emigration port your ancestor left from (Bremen, Bremerhaven, Hamburg or other) and which region/hometown they were from is not required. However, knowing this will enhance your trip because it will make your travel experiences more personal.
How do I book and pay for this tour?
You can book the tour by clicking on the button “Book Now” on this page. You will then be forwarded to a booking page of our secure and specialized payment provider partner WeTravel. There, you can choose your tour’s departure date, your currency and payment method. Afterwards, you fill in a short form. That’s it.
Is my payment secure?
Absolutely! For the payment processing, we partnered up with WeTravel.com – a trusted and specialized payment provider for tours and travel products. If you experience any (technical) issues with your booking, you can contact them via email or via the live chat on their website.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy is part of our terms and conditions and will depend how many days prior to your trip you will cancel the tour.
Cancellation costs for package tours with individual arrival (based on the percentage of the total tour price): Up to 46 days before departure: 10 % from the 45th to the 30th day before departure: 15 % from the 29th to the 15th day before departure: 30 % from the 14th to the 7th day before departure: 50 % 6th to 2nd day before departure: 70 % from 1 day before departure or in the event of “no show”: 90 % of the total tour price
Until what time can I book a tour?
Bookings close 4 weeks prior to each tour departure. Check out tour dates and availability section on this page for more details.
What do I need in order to prepare for this tour?
After you booked the tour, we will be reaching out to you over the next few weeks by sending you occasional emails with important trip information, a registration form etc. About 4 weeks prior to any tour departure, we will also schedule a free Zoom online call for all tour participants. In this call, we will give you information on everything you need to know for traveling to Germany and joining the tour. From current entry or health restrictions in Germany to what to pack and what kind of weather to expect. You can also ask your own questions in this call.
My question has not been answered. How can I contact you?
If you have any additional questions about our tours, send an email to tours@myancestorsjourney.com
