teach905

We will be in Berlin from March 14 until March21. We arrive the afternoon of the 14 from Amsterdam where we will have spent 3 days. Jet lag is not a problem.

I am trying to organize the days in Berlin. there are so many sites I want to see, I do not want to spend time backtracking.

I know I have way too many things planned, but we usually set up the days and prioritize the day when we get started.

Interests: Jewish sites of Berlin
Day trip to Ravensbruck for personal reasons
Pergamon Museum
Germaeldegalerie
Nueces Museum
Palace of Tears which should be by the Grand Westin Berlin where we are staying

Deutsches Histories Museum
Topography of terror and Berlin Wall
Mermorial of the Wall
Brandenburg Gate
Checkpoint Charlie
Haus der Wannasee Konferenz
Bunker Tours
Martin Gropius Bau
We are history buffs as you can tell by my choices.

If some of these museums are overlapping others, let me know so as we skip things on our itinerary, I will make wise decisions.

How should we arrange our days so we can see as many of these sites as possible. My guess is we will spend about 2 hours in museums. After that, I need a break.

Thanks for your help. We will be going to Ravensbruck on Tuesday the 18th.

teach905

fourfortravel

I am a planner by nature, and for our family holiday in Berlin between this past Christmas and New Years (6 full days) I created Google maps for all of our "themes" that we explored given the weather and our moods. These maps also included various identified restaurants, because when hunger sets in the mood and tempers can go down.

We found that it was difficult not to backtrack sometimes because there is so much to see in Berlin; just accept that and plan accordingly. Plus, the sheer fun of unplanned exploration is half the fun!

On a separate note, you may want to add the DDR Museum to your itinerary. We all found it a noteworthy look at life in East Germany, very different from other perspectives. You have no plans to tour the Reichstag? For a welcome diversion, the hour we spent at the Currywurst Museum was a most appreciated detour from Berlin's history.

teach905

Thanks for mentioning the Reichstag. It's on my list but accidentally got left off the help request. I will look into the DDR Museum.

Thanks

teach905

Just looked up the DDR Museum. Is it a children's museum? We are 2 60 plus travelers. I know there are some great interactive museums that we love, but in looking at the museum's website, it seems to stress very young children playing at the museum. Is it something I should add to the list?

Thanks
teach905

fourfortravel

The DDR is not a children's museum, although there were a few unmanaged younger children running amok when we were there. The interactive exhibits were really intended for those at least 12 and older, as well as someone with them who could explain the exhibits in their historical context. The photo currently on the museum website is deceiving; the little girl is just playing with the telephone in the simulated East German living room.

If you're planning to visit the Reichstag, purchase your tickets in advance and for one of the earliest time slots you can manage. We had no wait to enter at 09:15, and the dome was blissfully not crowded.

If you can time your visit to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum around the tour buses, you'll better appreciate the museum. We arrived steps in front of a disgorged tourist bus and ended up waiting in the museum entry for the group to make their way through the first couple of rooms, which are small are crowded with exhibit material.

Miniloft

All these places are great to visit, You probably have time to go to all of them in a week if you plan your route.

Jewish sites of Berlin, Pergamon, Deutsches Historisches Museum and Brandenburg Gate are all near to each other, but the Pergamon is a few hours work in itself, so be prepared! Also, you should book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues (http://ww2.smb.museum/pergamon-panor..._id=11&lang=en)

The other places on your list could be grouped like this, but it depends how much you feel you can see in one day...

The back of Potsdamer Platz:
Gemaeldegalerie
Neues Museum

South of Potsdamer Platz:
Checkpoint Charlie
Topography of terror and Berlin Wall
Martin Gropius Bau

Friedrichstasse/North Mitte)
Palace of Tears which should be by the Grand Westin Berlin where we are staying
Bunker Tours (http://berliner-unterwelten.de/home.1.1.html)
Mermorial of the Wall

Haus der Wannasee Konferenz is quite a way out of Berlin, but you can catch the S1 S-Bahn or the regional train from Potsdamer Platz

The DDR museum is good, but it depends how much you already know. It's a bit of a 'beginner's guide' and glosses over the prisons, STASI etc. For more of that kind of thing you should try the STASI prison at Hohenschönhausen (http://en.stiftung-hsh.de/index.php)

annhig

as a diversion [and to put the above in perspective] you might like to think about a day trip to Potsdam - the grounds and palaces are well worth the trip.

if the weather is warm, there are boat trips around the Spree which are a pleasant way of resting ones feet. We liked the area around the canals where there are nice local bars, some on canal boats. Also you might like the revolving restaurant at the top of the Fernsehturm in Potsdammer Platz.

teach905

Thanks for all of your help. It looks like we have an idea of what to plan for the days. We love to meander, and we can do some pretty full days. since it will get dark early we will start our days early and end them early. I am looking forward to the jazz bars in the evening. any suggestions on those that are good?