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Treasures of Berlin
46
From
£999
7 Days
The Reichstag, Berlin
DEPARTS
13 JUL
Of all our European tours, this is the shiniest. For the magpies among us, our Berlin city break is a veritable nest of glittering treasures. Famed for its opulent palaces that date back to the Kingdom of Prussia, we discover a gold mine of lavish Baroque and Rococo architecture, richly decorated Stucco interiors and exquisitely manicured parks. Signature sights include the stunning Sanssouci Palace and Cecilienhof, where the Potsdam Conference took place. There is also time to soak up the vibrant culture of Germany’s fascinating capital city, which has experienced so much change in recent years.
ITINERARY Day 1 We fly to Berlin and transfer to our hotel in the heart of the city. Day 2 Berlin This morning we get to know 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 walking 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, living up to the charms of its ‘live and let live’ motto, it’s a wonderfully relaxed place to explore. Later, we enjoy dinner together back at the hotel.
The Brandenburg Gate
Day 3 Schönhausen Palace & River Cruise 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. Day 4 Berlin Cathedral & Charlottenburg Palace After spotting the famous cathedral from our river cruise, today we get up close with an audio guided tour. The majestic Italian Renaissancestyle 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.
well worth a wander after we see the first-ever bathroom in a Baroque palace!
The Orangery, Sanssouci Park
Day 5 Sanssouci Palace & Cecilienhof We visit Sanssouci Palace where we enjoy 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 the ultimate relaxing hideaway. The king’s grave is on the highest terrace on the hill, buried next to his beloved greyhounds.
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
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Chinese House, Sanssouci Park
