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Berlin, Germany: A 2-day Itinerary with History, Art, and a Taste of Local Life
Berlin in a weekend? Is it enough time? No. It really isn’t. But, it’s a good start. Berlin is one of those cities where past and present sit side by side and just when you think you’re looking at everything modern, you turn a corner to find WWII ruins. There’s an amazing sense of fashion and style and reminders about the importance of remembering history so we don’t repeat it. There is so much to see in Berlin and plenty of delicious food to eat too, here is a 2-day itinerary for Berlin, and some great daytrips down below if you have some extra time to tack on to your…
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Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp: A Sobering Day Trip from Berlin
History leaves scars, and some places wear them more visibly than others. As a child, my 6th-grade history lessons were filled with stories of World War II, but understanding the depth of its horrors was impossible at that age. I was taught right from wrong, yet the sheer scale of the atrocities defied comprehension. The “why” seemed unfathomable when the “how” was so disturbingly clear. In 8th grade, I traveled to Europe and visited a concentration camp. The experience was overwhelming, a grotesque and haunting confrontation with the past. I remember thinking, How could anything like this have happened when the evidence of its horrors was laid out so plainly…
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Discover the Heart of the Protestant Reformation in Wittenberg, Germany
Wittenberg, a charming German city near the Elbe River, isn’t on most travelers’ radars. Known as the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation, Wittenberg invites visitors to stroll the cobble stone while learning about how Martin Luther forever changed the church. While I wouldn’t call myself a religion-focused traveler, Europe’s history is so deeply intertwined with religious events that understanding them is essential to grasping the broader historical context. If you’re looking for a great daytrip from Berlin to a city with a stunning effect on history, Wittenberg is definitely calling your name. Take a trip to Wittenberg, Germany with this one-day walking guide: (This post contains affiliate links, which means…
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Craft Beer In Berlin: Touring Brauerei Lemke
Traveling to Germany and indulging in its world-famous beer culture is practically a rite of passage, and Berlin offers the perfect backdrop for this experience. Determined to dive headfirst into the city’s vibrant beer scene, we made it our mission to explore its iconic beer gardens (biergarten) and seek out an unforgettable brewery tour. Among the city’s craft beer pioneers, Brauerei Lemke stood out as the must-visit destination. This microbrewery, at the heart of Berlin’s craft beer revolution, promised not just a taste but an immersion into the artistry of brewing—the guide was informative, the beer was tasty, and we left happy. Take the time to visit Brauerei Lemke in…
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Sanssouci Palace Is The Little Palace I Loved Near Berlin
Sanssouci Palace may be small, but its impact is undeniable. Once a cherished retreat for Friedrich the Great, this stunning palace is just a short day trip from Berlin—and it exceeded all my expectations with its intricate decor and thoughtful design, all done by Friedrich himself. With only 10 main rooms, exploring the palace won’t take up your entire day, but each room is a masterpiece of elegance. And a visit to Potsdam isn’t really a visit if you don’t see see Sanssouci. One of the best daytrips from Berlin, Germany is out to Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage…
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From Ruins to Radiance: The Inspiring Tale of Dresden’s Frauenkirche
We’d joined a walking tour of Dresden and the first stop, just to see the exterior at first was the iconic Church of Our Lady, or Frauenkirche. The surrounding plaza was empty so it was just just us and views of this stunning towering facade. A few hours later as our route circled back and we had learned more about the history of Dresden, Germany, we stepped foot inside. After the stories of sheer destruction we’d heard and seeing the pictures of the rubble of Frauenkirche which sat for 45 years after WWII before being rebuilt to what it is today, the beauty was overwhelming. What a show of hope…
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Discover the Bastei Bridge: The Most Popular Place in Germany’s Saxon Switzerland
I had to look at the map three times to confirm we were in Germany despite being told I was in Saxon Switzerland so many times. Wait, where are we? Headed from Prague to Berlin, we stopped to see the famous Basteibrücke, or Bastei Bridge, in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The mountains, part of the Saxon Switzerland National Park which sits on the border of Germany and the Czech Republic is nowhere near Switzerland, but worth the stop. The Bastei Bridge has the highest number of visitors of all lookout points in Saxon Switzerland (which is in Germany). You won’t be the only one there, but you’ll still be impressed…
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The Sistine Madonna and The Other Amazing Works at Zwinger
After spending the morning walking through the Old Town Dresden and getting the lay of the land, I decided to spend the afternoon enjoying the amazing Old Masters Picture Gallery in Zwinger Palace. Ever wonder where you can find those bored looking cherubs that have been created into many a meme? They’re here in Dresden and they’re not the only famous work on display. If you’re looking for things to do in Dresden, a visit to Zwinger is no doubt on your list already. As one of the top 10 museums in all of Germany, it’s a must-see, just make sure you know what to see when you get there…
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The House of Meissen: Tour The Meissen Porcelain Factory and Buy Your Own Piece
I have become a little porcelain obsessed in the past few years. It all started when I got a beautiful Korean moon jar, we moved to the Netherlands and I visited Delft and learned about Royal Delft Blue, and the obsession continued when we landed in Meissen, Germany home to Meissen porcelain. Like Royal Delft Blue, the House of Meissen offers a factory tour and production tour to learn how their exquisite pieces are produced and really, it’s a way to learn how to appreciate the craftsmanship on a deeper level. If you’re traveling to Meissen, it’s really a must visit. Get ready to see why. Did you know you…
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One Day In Old Town Dresden, Germany: A Walking Tour
Considered one of the most beautiful Baroque cities in Europe, when we arrived in Dresden, I was very interested to learn and see how the city rebuilt after the firestorm that obliterated much of the area during World War II. There are now two halves that make up the whole: the Old Town (Altstadt) that was originally built during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and a newer post-war side of the city. Although, pay attention because New Town is actually older than Old Town and Old Town was rebuilt a few decades later. For this article, we’ll be focusing on the Old Town, which thankfully was rebuilt in all it’s…
