WARNEMUNDE, GERMANY

Our exciting tour programme starts upon arrival. We shall pass the Alexander Platz Square, with Berlin’s Television Tower – the centre and heart of former East Berlin.

Before booking this tour, you may like to consider the following points:

* It is, because of coach, driver, escort, Berlin guide, boat and refreshment costs, an expensive tour.
* The coach ride to and from Berlin is approximately 3 hours each way.
* We will leave the ship early and return late.
* On arrival in Berlin we will have around 1½ hours of sightseeing, traffic permitting, and approximately a further 3½ hours of touring after lunch, before commencing our return journey to Warnemünde.
* Due to the extensive construction occurring in Berlin, and the numerous congresses and special events taking place in 2009, it may be necessary to substitute one of the listed sights with another venue, or change the order of the sights visited. This is unfortunately beyond our control. Scaffolding may be in place on some of the buildings.

We leave Warnemünde by coach with an English-speaking escort for our journey to Berlin. The countryside of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is characterised by its hundreds of lakes and typical flatland. For our convenience a short restroom stop will be made. Arriving in Berlin’s outskirts we will pick up our official guide.

Our exciting tour programme starts upon arrival. We shall pass the Alexander Platz Square, with Berlin’s Television Tower – the centre and heart of former East Berlin. Passing Museum Island with the Dome of Berlin, we drive on to the Unter den Linden Boulevard towards Brandenburg Gate for a short photo stop. Next is the stunning Gendarmenmarkt Square for a photo stop, before we reach the pier where we will board our exclusively chartered river-cruiser.

Leaving the hustle of Berlin’s busy streets behind, we can enjoy beautiful views of the city as we cruise along the banks of the River Spree. Whilst onboard, a three course meal with accompanying beverage is served. Major highlights of Berlin will pass by, such as the Nikolai Quarter, Dome of Berlin, Museum Island, Reichstag, Charité Hospital, new Chancellery and Charlottenburg Palace.

After approximately 90 minutes of cruising, we rejoin our coach and head for Kurfürstendamm, the western city’s main boulevard. Here we find the Europa Center, the KaDeWe shopping mall and the Emperor Wilhelm Memorial Church. We travel east, passing the Victory Column and Tiergarten Park, along the Avenue of June 17th. Finally we reach the heart and centre of modern Germany – the Reichstag. Under the recently built cupola by Sir Norman Foster, we will gather for a glass of sparkling wine on the garden terrace of one of Germany’s most well known restaurants. Usually it is not possible for groups to visit, but we can enjoy breathtaking views of the Pariser Platz with the Brandenburg Gate, and have a unique perspective of the building itself, as the restaurant is located right beside the Reichstag’s famous glass cupola. We will have the opportunity to walk up to the cupola, a technical and aesthetic masterpiece constructed from steel, glass and mirrors.

Our tour recommences with sightseeing in the historic centre of Berlin. A short photo stop and walk is made at Potsdam Square. Next we pass Checkpoint Charlie (probably the world’s most notorious borderline) and Niederkirchner Straße, with huge remnants of the wall. We may take a photo of this once deadly ‘iron curtain’ before we begin our journey back to Warnemünde. (Our official guide leaves us in Berlin.)

During the return transfer, whilst reflecting on an eventful and unforgettable day, we are served a cold dinner snack; a short comfort stop will be made.

TOUR NOTES: This is a strenuous tour because of the duration. Walking is involved: at the Brandenburg Gate (approximately 200 metres/656 feet), at Gendarmenmarkt Square (approximately 50 metres/164 feet), to embark/disembark the river-cruiser, including around 15 steps (and 5 onboard), a walk to photograph the Charlottenburg Palace, at the Reichstag and at Potsdam Square. The itinerary is subject to change depending on local conditions. An English-speaking escort will accompany us on the transfer to and from Berlin; an official guide will only be present during the city tour. The boat used for lunch has toilet facilities but does not have air conditioning. When eating, we will be seated downstairs. Lunch includes one local beer, glass of wine or soft drink, and one coffee or tea per person. The route the river cruiser takes for lunch is subject to change.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR THE 2009 SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC SEASON