Did you know that Berlin, the capital of Germany, is the third most visited destination in Europe? An opportunity to see the highlights of this beautiful, incredibly historic city!
Meet your host at your Warnemunde cruise port to begin your adventure in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. You will take a journey through the stunning, picturesque flatlands of East Germany, arriving in Berlin where you will meet your English-speaking guide for the day. Travel time is approximately 3 hours.
Upon arrival in the city of Berlin, your local guide will start your excursion at the exterior of Charlottenburg Palace in West Berlin and an introduction to the city which was famously divided by the Berlin Wall from 1961 to 1989. Charlottenburg is Germany's largest palace which dates back to the 17th century. You will then drive through what was once the British sector along Berlin's Champs- Elysees - Kurfurstendamm - passing the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Built by Wilhelm II to honor his grandfather - Kaiser Wilhelm I - the church suffered extensive damage during World War II but was rebuilt around the ruins. You will also pass by the largest department store on the European continent KaDeWe.
Moving on to East Berlin, you will visit the exterior of the Reichstag, the building of parliament, along the way. There are so many sites you will experience here! Stroll through the Brandenburg Gate, one of the most well-known monuments in Germany, which has played varied political roles throughout history. You will also walk by the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. See Tiergarten central park, the Victory Column, a Soviet memorial, the Memorial to the Murdered Sinti and Roma, and Paris Square. As if this wasn't enough to entice you, Hitler's bunker, Potsdamer Platz, the Berlin Wall, and the former site of the Headquarters of the SS and Gestapo (today known as the Topography of Terror) are also on your itinerary for the day. As you cross from East to West Berlin, you will pass through Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous crossing point during the Cold War.
Bring some extra Euros with you to enjoy a lunch break before continuing your adventure to the Nazi Book Burning Square - Gendarmenmarkt and Bebelplatz. Visit Berlin's historic Royal Quarter, the stunning boulevard of Unter den Linden, Museum Island (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Berlin Cathedral, and Alexanderplatz. If time allows, you may drive by the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall that still has its renowned graffiti or visit the former Jewish Quarter which is now a fashion and art center. Time at each site will vary according to the group and traffic.
At the conclusion of this history-filled day, you will be returned to Warnemunde your cruise port. Be sure you bring along your camera because there will be much to see!
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