Berlin
From the days of the Prussian Empire, through two World Wars and its subsequent division for twenty-eight years, Berlin has been the epicentre of modern history. Alive and exciting, the city of Berlin offers plenty of opportunity for historic and cultural exploration under the guidance of a friendly HF Holidays' leader.
Relics of the Berlin Wall provide evidence of the former division of Germany's capital into East and West. Looking through the Brandenburg Gate into the old eastern sector many of the buildings still bear the marks of the war years. Evocative locations such as Potsdamer Platz, Check-Point Charlie and Unter den Linden remain.
Wide tree-lined boulevards are rich in museums, galleries and concert halls. The many new and restored buildings mix with 18th century palaces, such as Charlottenburg and Sanssouci to form a city of great contrast and interest.
Detailed information
| Detailed itinerary |
 |
The following is a suggested programme, but your HF Holidays' leader may adjust it at their discretion, according to the wishes of the group. There is clearly no obligation to join in any activity, and you should feel free to spend the time as you wish.
Day 1: Arrival day
Walk through the Ku-Damm, visiting the Kaiser Wilhelm Church and the Europa Centre.
Day 2: Introduction to Berlin
Take in the city's sights from the top of the Victory Column, before walking with your leader through the great Brandenburg Gate and along the famous boulevard of Unter den Linden to the Jewish Quarter and the beautiful square of the Gendarmenmarkt.
Built in 1791 as a city gate-cum-triumphal arch, the Brandenburg Gate, together with the nearby Reichstag building, has become an important symbol of German unity.
Running east from the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden is the city's grandest boulevard. The name translates as 'beneath the lime trees'. Since 1989 the avenue has been rejuvenated and now houses grand and expensive shops, government ministries, cafés and plush hotels.
The Fernsehturn 'television tower' was built in 1969 and is the second-tallest structure in Europe. It is possible to take the lift to the revolving metal sphere and enjoy afternoon tea or coffee whilst enjoying a bird's-eye view of the city.
Day 3: Potsdam
Today we travel out of Berlin to Potsdam; a short journey by metro, to explore the beautiful gardens, fountains and follies of the Sanssouci Park and the two flamboyant palaces of Neus Palais and Schloss Sanssouci.
The huge Sanssouci Park occupies an area of some 287 hectares. The park contains two impressive palaces that can be visited; alternatively it is possible to spend an enjoyable afternoon simply strolling around the park. The large Neus Palace was built between 1763 and 1769 in an imposing Baroque style. At the other end of park is the, equally flamboyant Schloss Sanssouci, which was built in 1745.
Day 4: Charlottenberg, the Berlin Wall and the Reichstag
Start the day at the sumptuously decorated Prussian palace of Charlottenburg which dates back to 1695 when it was built as a home for Queen Sophie Charlotte. In subsequent centuries it was greatly expanded and used as a summer residence by Prussian kings. Surrounding the palace are the peaceful Schloss Gardens; home to the mausoleum where Prussian kings and queens were laid to rest.
Erected overnight on August 13 1961, the Berlin Wall is perhaps the most poignant symbol of the Cold War. Following defeat in the Second World War, Germany was divided into four sectors; the American, French and British sectors were later amalgamated to form West Germany whilst the Soviet sector was to become East Germany.
In November 1989 travel restrictions between East and West Berlin were lifted by the East German Authorities, effectively making the wall redundant. TV screens around the world were filled with images of jubilant Berliners knocking down sections of the wall. Today very little remains and in places it is very hard to spot where it used to run. Nevertheless a number of sections remain and are protected from souvenir hunters so as to preserve the wall as an historic monument. We visit a preserved section of the Wall and the nearby Topography of Terror, a moving and thought provoking open-air exhibition of this period which stands on the site of the Gestapo "House Prison".
One of the city's most memorable landmarks, Checkpoint Charlie, marked the division between the American and Soviet sectors and after 1961 was one of the few permitted crossing points between the two halves of the city.
Once the site of Hitler's bunker, then a desolate no-man's land during the Cold War, Potsdamer Platz has now been transformed into the ultra-modern heart of Berlin. The world's architects have vied for attention with their innovative designs with various functions from state-of-the-art office blocks to an entertainment centre and the Arkaden shopping centre.
The Jewish Museum is one of the most spectacular new buildings erected in Berlin since the Second World War. The design takes as its central theme an imaginary network linking the lives and places of residence of prominent people from Berlin, both Jewish and non-Jewish. The exhibition itself is wide and varied focusing on Jewish culture, art and history. The impact of the architecture can be profound especially in the many narrow corridors leading to the windowless Holocaust Tower.
Dating from the 19th century, the Reichstag was built to house Germany's parliament and has been the scene of a number of dramatic moments in the country's history. Today the Reichstag has been rebuilt to a new design by British architect Sir Norman Foster and is once again the home of parliament. The building houses a fascinating exhibition on German history.
Day 5: Departure day - The Tiergarten and Berlin's world-renowned Musuems
The final day in Berlin (depending on your flight time) provides an opportunity to visit a number of different sites or museums previously missed, including the Museum of Applied Art, the Pergamon Museum and the Film Museum or enjoy a leisurely walk through the peaceful, wooded gardens of the Tiergarten.
[Back to the top]
| Dates and prices |
|
| Sun 18 May 2008 |
4 |
£499 |
£325 |
| Thurs 26 June 2008 |
4 |
£499 |
£325 |
| Thurs 11 Dec 2008 - Xmas |
4 |
£469 |
£325 |
[Back to the top]
| Travel to resort |
|
Guests who have booked their holiday 'with flight' will arrive at Berlin's Tegel airport. The onward journey by coach to the hotel takes around 35 minutes.
Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 20/08/07 (provisional)
British Airways
Heathrow - Berlin
Out 12:50 - 15:35
Return 16:35 - 17:25
Manchester flights: on request
Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Making Your Own Travel Arrangements
By air: Most International flights arrive at the city's Tegel airport which is located 5 miles north-west of the city. Alternative airports are Templehof, which caters primarily for internal flights and Schonefeld 11 miles to the south-east.
By air to Berlin-Tegel: Tegel is served by a number of direct scheduled, charter and 'low-cost' flights from the UK. If you are booking your own flights you may wish to consider one of the following options:
www.airberlin.com flights from Stansted and Manchester.
www.britishairways.com flights from Heathrow and Manchester.
From Tegel airport join the HF Holidays' transfer for £12 single. Please contact our Reservations Team to find out the latest times and book your place. By public transport, the number 109 bus runs approximately every 10 minutes to Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten (Zoo station) and takes approximately 30 minutes. The X9 bus also goes to Zoo Station and takes about 20 minutes, costs the same but is less frequent.
By air to Berlin-Schönefeld: Many of the low cost airlines fly into Berlin's Schönefeld airport:
www.ryanair.com flights from Stansted.
www.easyjet.com flights from Bristol, Belfast, Gatwick, Liverpool, Luton and Newcastle.
A free airport shuttle connects Schonefeld with the airport's train station "Flughafen Berlin-Schönefeld". From here Airport Express trains RE4 and RE5 run every half an hour and take 30 minutes to reach Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten. [Back to the top]
| Temperatures |
|
| May |
8°C |
19°C |
| June |
13°C |
23°C |
[Back to the top]
| What the holiday includes |
|
- Return economy class air (with flight).
- 4 nights' accommodation in double or twin-bedded en-suite rooms.
- Bed & Breakfast.
- Services HF of Holidays' leaders.
- Detailed itineraries.
[Back to the top] |
