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From the comfort of your private vehicle, enjoy the 2 1/2-hour ride through the scenic, lake-filled state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. After arrival in Berlin, your expert guide will bring the city and its vivid history to life, as you experience Berlin's many "must-see" sights.
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You will be met by a personable English-speaking driver who will take you through the countryside of Germany and bring you to your guide. Your guide has had years of experience and arrange a special itinerary for people visiting Berlin for the first time. If there is something specific you would like to see, please let us know beforehand or tell your guide upon your arrival.
You will first drive down Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s answer to Paris’ Champs Elysée. This was where Berliners and tourists came to shop during the Cold War. The boulevard ends at the Emperor William Memorial Church, commissioned in 1891 by William II, Germany’s last Emperor, in memory of his grandfather, Emperor William I. The magnificent church was damaged in the war and stands as a ruin today, reminding one of the war and how West Berlin rose up from the ashes.
During a brief stop at KaDeWe, the largest department store in Continental Europe, you will be dazzled by the display of food and delicacies from all over the world.
As you ride through the Tiergarten, Berlin’s large urban park, imagine it as the forest and hunting reserve is once was. Visit the Reichstag, the parliament building in the city’s center and the site of many stormy events in Germany’s history. Enjoy lunch on top of the Reichstag, next to Sir Norman Forster’s daring glass dome. If the Reichstag is not available for lunch, another comprable restaurant will replace the stop.
After lunch, a short walk will lead you under the Brandenburg Gate, the quintessential symbol of Berlin, built in 1789. You will also get an opportunity to walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe which opened in 2005. This somber spot occupies a space the size of a football field, and its information center brings this tragic period in history to life, revealing fates of individuals and entire families.
Drive past Potsdamer Platz to Niederkirchstrasse, called Prinz Albrecht Strasse during the Nazi period, the infamous address where the Secret Police, SA, SS and Gestapo, had their headquarters. Here you will also see the remains of the Berlin Wall. For a marvelous bird’s-eye view of the city, take an optional ride in a hi-flyer balloon.
Continue to Checkpoint Charlie, the historic border crossing used between 1961 and 1990. This was the only crossing between West to East Berlin for non-Germans and diplomats. You will pass numerous other attractions such as Berlin’s most beautiful square, Gendarmenmarkt, the famous boulevard Unter den Linden, Europe’s second-tallest structure (a 1,197-foot television tower), as well several Hohenzollern palaces.
Of course your guide is entirely flexible. If there is a special place you want to see - just let her know! The tour can be adapted depending on your interests.
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Relax and enjoy your drive back to the cruise ship pier.
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Traveler Reviews
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| 9/12/2009 |
WARNEMUNDE...R. Latham |
| Our Berlin tour was excellent. It was a busy Saturday and we had a great time. Our guide was very nice and knew a lot. She spoke clearly and had a lot of interesting things to add. The bus driver was very good, as well. |
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| 8/5/2009 |
WARNEMUNDE...Agent - STASUL |
| I am very pleased to inform you that Mr. Pezza (my client) was thrilled with your services. He told me all the guides (Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm and Berlin)were very professional and informative. He especially raved about the lady guide he had in Berlin. She apparently was previously a German teacher at NYU and also a translater at the UN. He said she was ultra informative and couldn't have been better. It's nice to send a pleasant correspondense like this and I thank you kindly for your follow up and especially for your great service. |
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