Treasures of Berlin

We fly to Berlin and transfer to our hotel in the heart of the city.

We get to know the German capital of Berlin. It may be a rather big city but, luckily for us, all the best areas are lovely and compact. Once divided, now reunited, it really is full of contrasts with a variety of historical and modern attractions. We enjoy a guided city tour which covers some of the most important sights including the Brandenburg Gate, a former symbol of the divided city.

After our tour, the rest of the day is left free to discover more of Berlin at leisure and, in keeping with its ‘live and let live’ motto, it’s a wonderfully relaxed place to explore. Later, we enjoy dinner together back at the hotel.

After spotting the famous cathedral from our river cruise, we get up close with a fascinating visit here. The majestic Italian Renaissance-style structure is flanked by four Baroque towers and envelopes equally lavish interiors, from a marble and onyx altar to elaborate mosaics. It served as the court church for the Hohenzollern dynasty, the monarchy of Prussia and later the German Emperors.

Our next stop is Charlottenburg Palace. Built at the end of the 17th century, it is one of Berlin’s key reminders of the splendour of the Hohenzollern clan, who ruled until 1918. Packed with treasures from the grand Rococo ballroom and collections of precious porcelain to the silver vault; glittering with the remaining pieces of the Prussian crown jewels, there is so much to discover in this former royal residence. The leafy palace park is also well worth a wander after we see the first-ever bathroom in a Baroque palace!

Schönhausen Palace provided the backdrop for many important political and historical moments. Originally a manor house was built on the site in the 1660s before King Friedrich II gifted it to his wife, who used it as a summer residence and adored the opulent rooms, Stucco ceilings and colourful floral carpets, which we admire during our visit. Later, Wilhelm Pieck used the residence as his official seat during his time as president of the German Democratic Republic after the partition of Germany. The presidential garden is a reminder of this time.

Later, we enjoy a river cruise through the centre of the city, taking in a selection of iconic sights from a new perspective. Cameras at the ready for the fascinating cityscape, including the silhouette of the stunning domed Berlin Cathedral on Museum Island, as we meander along the River Spree.

We visit Sanssouci Palace for an audio-guided tour. Sans soucI, which means ‘without a care’, was the much-loved summer retreat of the Prussian King; Friedrich the Great. The Rococo palace sits pretty above the vineyard-festooned terraces, and inside the intimate suites still boast their original decorations. Outside, the sprawling grounds are as impressive as ever, with the Chinese House and Orangery proving to be the most relaxing of hideaways. The king’s grave is on the highest terrace on the hill, buried next to his beloved greyhounds.

Afterwards, we head to Potsdam where we enjoy a guided city tour. Our knowledgeable guide will lead us through the charming streets of this historic city. Potsdam is steeped in history and offers a unique blend of architectural styles that reflect its past as a residence of Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until 1918. Key attractions include the magnificent Sanssouci Park, the grand Neues Palais and the Dutch Quarter with its charming red-brick buildings.

Today, we take the chance to spend some more time at leisure. Our base, in the heart of Berlin, allows us plenty of opportunity to explore this magnificent city and the treasures it beholds. Immerse yourself in Germany's vibrant culture and history and explore its fascinating architecture or sit back in one of the many traditional eateries and watch the world go by.

We check out of our hotel and transfer to Berlin airport for our return flight home.