Deep travel in Berlin: A New Experience with Context Travel, a joint program between Berlin tourism and panorama tour operator Augarten Franke-Kaufen. The project was launched at the end of last year and was meant to revitalize the visitor experience in Germany’s capital city. With its aim of creating a more memorable and engaging traveling experience, it strives to create a new Berlin first impression.
As the name suggests, Deep Travel will explore the city’s riverfront, connecting its two historic halves. The tour starts from the west and goes towards the center of the city. We shall start our journey from Zee Johannesburg, a former Protestant church that served as an opera house during the 1800s. We will then take a look at the Gothic Quarter, a row of grand churches and palaces that once dominated the city’s skyline.
By taking a boat ride along the Neckar River, we will be able to see some of Berlin’s Gothic buildings and cathedrals. The next stop will be Muggelstraussplatz, the largest public square in the city. Here, we will be able to witness one of the most historic squares in the world. We can also explore the modern-day Muggelstraussplatz through its reconstructed pedestrianized streets.
Back on the river, we will be treated to another historic landmark: the Baroque Theatine Church. Built-in the Baroque period, it is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. From here, we can continue on towards Wedding und Kreisschiffahrt, the former royal fortress. Its museum overlooks the Schloss Charlottenburg, an important Royal Castle in the city.
To finish our journey, we should take a trip to one of Berlin’s best museums, the German National Museum. Here, we can see examples of the city’s rich history, as well as its cultural heritage. This museum features two major attractions: the Lower House and the Archbishops’ Conference Room. The former houses the cabinets of the first Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick the Great, and the cabinet of his successors. The latter (the Archbishops’ Conference Room) features the largest collection of works that were used by the Schattenmeisterburg Palace, which was the court of the Elector of Saxony and Grand Duke Maximilian of Austria.
With a new hotel close by, we can enjoy a more personal experience. The Stasi Archbishops’ Conference Room offers the chance to meet some of the last of the Schattenmeisters, including the archbishops themselves. The Chancellery, which is the former home of the German government, can also be visited alongside its counterpart in Berlin, the Chancellery derided as the bunker of the Third Reich. Both locations are perfect for experiencing the city’s dark side, as the war destroyed the city’s historical center and left its ruins divided into two.
With so much history to explore, it seems that any visit to Berlin would be incomplete without a trip to the Tiergarten, Germany’s Central Park. The Tiergarten, which means “troubled water,” is one of the most tranquil places in all of Europe. Here you can wander through the park’s beautiful gardens while overlooking Germany’s largest and most important city. The Tiergarten was where the German resistance formed the bases of their underground organizations. As such, it houses a fascinating display of the city’s history, right alongside its future. You can visit the Chancellery, the Archbishops’ Conference Room, and Stasi, the underground headquarters of the resistance, in just one section of the Tiergarten.
Finally, you might want to take a different route when planning your travel in Berlin. Instead of taking a city bus, you may prefer to hop on the train that runs between the major stations of the city. This not only gives you the opportunity to see more of Berlin but also allows you to experience the city by day and by night. Regardless of which route you decide to take, your Berlin vacation will be a new experience with context travel.
