05 March 2019

James Wylie's Five Top Tips for School Trips to Berlin

James Wylie is one of our experienced Itinerary Coordinators and organises many of our trips to Berlin. Having visited the city plenty of times, here are his five top tips for school groups planning a visit to the German capital.

Berlin is one of our most popular destinations as it works well for so many subjects.

There’s so much to explore on a history tour, for example, especially for those studying the Third Reich and Cold War periods.

Meanwhile, art students can enjoy the street art at the East Side Gallery, or the many fantastic museums and galleries, such as those on Museum Island.

German language students can take lessons at a language school and then practise their skills around the cultural sights of the city.

Regardless of your subject area, there's plenty to see and do. As a regular visitor, here are five of my top tips for a school trip to Berlin.

1. See the sunset over Berlin

You can do this by asking your Itinerary Coordinator to book an evening slot at the TV Tower. The 360° views are incredible.

2. Visit a chocolate shop

There are a couple of fantastic chocolate shops near the Gendarmenmarkt – Ritter Sport and Rausch. At Rausch, their chocolatiers have made chocolate models of all the big landmarks of Berlin – it’s a must-see! Also, if you’re visiting around December, the Christmas Markets at the Gendarmenmarkt is fantastic.

And as you're making your way around, instead of walking, why not try a bike tour? This is a great fun alternative way to see the sights of the city.

3. Sample the local cuisine

Berlin’s favourite street food is currywurst. It’s so popular it even used to have its own museum, although this has sadly closed down. It's definitely worth trying this delicious snack at least once while you're in the city though – it's an authentic Berlin experience!

4. Watch a Berlin TV show

There are some great German-language movies and TV shows set in Berlin that you could encourage your students to watch before your trip. Downfall (called Der Untergang in German) is set during the final ten days of Hitler’s rule over Nazi Germany.

Deutschland 83 is a political drama set during the Cold War, which highlights the tensions between East and West Germany.

5. Go for a cycle

Instead of a walking tour of Berlin, why not try a bike tour? This is a great fun alternative way to see the sights of the city.

Feeling inspired?

For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.