GERMANY
Explore one of Europe’s most creative cities
Welcome to a trip planned by Arrival! We are interested in taking you on the most unique trip on the market today. Your vacation time is precious, so why compromise on a vacation that doesn’t meet all of your requirements? Our trip to Berlin is a delicious balance of organized day trips and outings, free time, and exploring one of the most vibrant cosmopolitan centers in Europe. This pre-planned trip lets you take advantage of all of Arrival’s knowledge and experience of the best Berlin has to offer. Every item on our itinerary has been visited and approved by one of Arival’s own agents for quality and enjoyment. We think people want a balance on their vacations—people want to see the major, can’t-miss sights, but also experience something unique that makes their trip sepcial. Also, don’t forget some precious time to kick back and relax, whether it’s in the home where you’re staying or wandering around.
ich bin ein Berliner
One important tool on your trip is the Arrival app. It houses all your important information--flight times and boarding passes, your itinerary times and where to go, and a GPS that helps you find your way around. Most importantly, you have live support any time you need it, so the fear of exploring a foreign country is mitigated as much as possible.
Berlin culture is unique in Germany. When Americans think of Germany, lederhosen and big beer halls spring to mind--but that is from Bavaria, a region in Southern Germany. Berlin is in the north, and is known more for its gritty, artistic culture than its folk ballads and beer steins.
experience something beautiful
If you’re looking for high-class culture, you’ve found it. The Berlin Philharmonic is one of the best in the world, as is the Berlin Staatsoper (State Opera). The city has more than fifty theaters, including the Friedrichs-Palast, the largest in Europe. For art, visit any of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (Berlin State Museums, or visit Auguststrasse for a seemingly limitless number of local, contemporary galleries.
However, Berlin is also a hotbed of underground culture, from hidden speakeasies to punk concerts in abandoned warehouses. Graffiti peppers the city, and you’ll find lots of alternative fashion everywhere. Berlin is extremely diverse and multi-cultural, and you can explore neighborhoods and restaurants featuring people and cuisines from all over the world.
Don’t be surprised, though, if you encounter the “cold German” phenomemon. A popular metaphor in Germany compares northern Germans to a nut; hard to get in, but once you are it’s wonderful. Germans won’t greet you on the street or even smile, and they can be shockingly honest to Americans. However, they are great and loyal friends who view that honesty as the key to authentic relationships.
On your trip to Berlin you’ll stay in a beautiful flat in the trendy neighborhood of Prenzlauer-Berg. Your home away from home will have every modern convenience--flatscreen TV, WiFi speaker, walk-in shower--but also a taste of the culture Berlin is known for. Original mouldings adorn the ceiling, and a balcony lets you sip an espresso while watching life in the city go by. Gorgeous modern furniture makes your stay comfortable, and the kitchen is fully equipped in case you want a night in to cook. The kitchen also has a French press, Chemex pourover coffee maker, and Nespresso machine so you can have your morning joe just how you life it.
Germany might be most famous for one thing: its beer. The reputation is well-deserved, and throughout Berlin there are countless opportunities to sample Germany’s most famous libation. While beer gardens are more common in southern Germany, if you go in the summer you still might be able to find the odd one in Berlin. Otherwise, the city contains countless pubs of all varieties. Go wondering in the trendy PrenzlauerBerg neighborhood and you’ll find hole-in-the-wall absinthe bars, upscale wineries, and much more.
cheers to adventure
Another thing Germany is famous for? Bread. Bakeries pepper the city, with so-called “Berliners” (jelly doughnuts), loaves, and more. A popular, cheap meal is the doner kebab. Small shops feature large cylinders of meat that are shaved off in slivers and stuffed in a pita with yogurt sauce and other toppings.
On a trip with Arrival, we want the perfect combination of unique experiences and room for spontaneity. We haven’t planned out every second so you have downtime, or you can fill your free time with whatever you like--this booklet and our app have plenty of suggestions! Most importantly, we want this trip to work for you--so if there’s an item on our itinerary that you’re not digging, we can change it! Your itinerary will be on our app during your trip, with live support from us to fine-tune your plans at any time. Also, we encourage going off the beaten path-once you’re in Berlin, your time is your own! Follow our plans or not, it’s time for your perfect vacation.
Day 1: Arrival
Take it slow today. Hang out around the flat, eat some good food, and explore this new country.
9:30 AM Arrive in Berlin.
12:30 PM Lunch
2 PM Explore Prenzlauer-Berg
7 PM Dinner
Day 2: Harz Hiking
At the Harz Mountains you will experience preserved medieval towns, forest hikes, and traditional food.
9:30 AM
5 PM
7 PM
Day 3: Concentration Camp Visit
We learn about the biggest tragedy in Germany’s history at the concentration camp Sachsenhausen.
9:30 AM Leave for Sachsenhausen
5 PM Return to Berlin
7 PM Dinner
Day 4: Berlin
See all that Berlin has to offer.
9:30 AM
2 PM
4 PM
Return to Berlin
Leave for Harz Mountains Dinner
8 PM
Brandenburg Gate Unter den Linden Checkpoint Charlie Berlin Philharmonic Concert
Not surprisingly, nothern Germany has a cold winter. However, there are reasons to visit Berlin for its coldest season. During December, central Berlin has a huge Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas market. Think lots of stalls with Glühwein (spiced mulled wine), handmade ornaments, and much more. Also, there is plenty of opportunity for winter sports like ice skating and tobogganing--and don’t forget the sauna to warm up!
Otherwise, unless you just happen to like the cold we would recommend a warmer season for your trip to Berlin. Keep in mind that spring comes late this far north, so your trip might be cold even in May. By late May and June though the weather will start to thaw and the city will come alive. By August the temperatures are hot--and most buildings in northern Germany don’t have air conditioning! If you’re a hot weather person you might not mind, but if not you might want to wait for fall, which is gorgeous in Berlin. Also, near the city you can find some great hiking if you like to get outdoors!
