In summer, the weather in Berlin is usually warm (22-30°C) during the mid-day hours. For morning and evening hours, carry a jacket or a sweater, since it will cool down a little bit. Be prepared for summer showers.

Berlin’s public transportation system enables you to travel quickly and safely to virtually any location in Berlin and its surrounding areas via bus and S-/U-Bahn subway. Airport buses regularly travel from the airports (Tegel, Tempelhof, Schönefeld) to downtown Berlin. Included in the conference fee is a 5 day ticket (August 9-13) for all public transportation sytems in Berlin (Bus, S-/U-Bahn subway, ferry).

Some optional tours and activities are organized (see below). You can register for these tours on the official registration form. The dates and prices are given on the registration form. (NB: Rates will be recalculated for groups under 40 persons.)

Charlottenburg Castle and Egyptian Museum

This castle is without doubt the finest example of royal Prussian architecture in Berlin. The historic royal apartments offer an exciting array of styles from over 220 years ranging from baroque to biedermeier. Guests will be guided through the east wing with its beautiful rooms, furniture, decoration and much more, all with an emphasis on the royalty housed in this castle. Across the street from the castle is the Egyptian Museum. Alongside the marvelous treasures from the days of the Pharaohs is the magnificent and beautiful Nefertiti, over 3000 years old.

Duration: 3 hours; Cost: DM 48,-; minimum 40 persons Please note: The Egyptian Museum and Charlottenburg castle are closed on Mondays.

"East Berlin" - behind the "Tourist" Scene

This tour leads visitors behind the scenes of the former East Berlin. At first, guests will pass by the famous "East Side Gallery". As one of the longest open air galleries in the world, the "East Side Gallery" is a part of the original Wall which divided East Berlin along the Spree River from the district of Neukölln in West Berlin. Artists from around the world painted not only interesting and challenging murals, but politically provocative ones as well. Afterwards, you will see the former "workers’ district" Prenzlauer Berg, with buildings pock-marked with damage from World War II. A major contrast within the Prenzlauer Berg district is the Husemannstrasse area, which is full of beautiful buildings with ornamented facades and wrought-iron balconies. During the "Days of the Wall" this particular area was shown to tourists and touted as being part of socialism’s urban renewal. Until World War II, the "Scheunenviertel" was Berlin’s melting-pot, where people of many nationalities or religions lived together peacefully. The "Hackesche Höfe", built in 1906, still tell stories of the past with their quaint restaurants, excentric bars and artisans’ workshops. Another interesting sight is the beautifully restored synagogue.

Cost: DM 39,-; minimum 40 persons

Sachsenhausen Memorial

The first National Socialist concentration camp was built in 1933 in a former brewery. The Sachsenhausen concentration camp followed in 1936. This huge „area of persecution" is located north of Berlin, close to the Brandenburg city of Oranienburg. Today this former concentration camp is an important memorial to the victims of National Socialism. It was built between 1958-1961 by L. Deiters. Several sculptures by R. Graetz and W. Grzimek are exhibited on the premises. Out of 200,000 international prisoners (Jewish and other victims of Nazi persecution) more than 100,000 were killed. The museum on the history of persecution is located in the former prisoners´ kitchen. It offers a comprehensive documentary exhibition of everyday life in the concentration camp.

Duration: 4 hours; Cost: DM 50,-; minimum 40 persons

Orientation Tour of Berlin From West to East
Gedächtniskirche (Kaiser Wilhelm's Memorial Church) - Kurfürstendamm - Philharmonic Hall / National Gallery - Bellevue (current home of theGerman President) - Potsdamer Platz - Reichstag - Brandenburg Gate - "Former" Checkpoint Charlie - Unter den Linden - Nikolaiviertel (the Nikolai Quarter) - Gendarmenmarkt (known as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe with its French and German Cathedrals as well as the Schauspielhaus (concert hall) - Alexanderplatz with its well-known TV Tower. One stop will be made at the Brandenburg Gate. Depending on where guests are staying, the tour will not necessarily follow the order given above.

Duration: 3 hours; Cost: DM 39,-; minimum 40 persons
The above tour can be enhanced with a visit to either the Pergamon Museum - home of the world famous Pergamon Altar - or a visit to the Museum at Checkpoint Charlie.
Duration: 4 hours Total cost of tour incl. the Pergamon Museum: DM 48,-. Total cost of tour incl. the Museum at Checkpoint Charlie: DM 48,-

The Wall Museum: "Haus am Checkpoint Charlie"
From August 1961 to October 1990 (when Germany was reunited), Checkpoint Charlie was the border crossing point for diplomats, Allied military and foreigners (neither Germans nor Berliners were allowed to cross here). Charlie is the "third" crossing in the American Sector - the checkpoint between West and East Berlin, thus Charlie. "Alpha" was Helmstedt - the checkpoint city between West and East Germany. "Bravo" was Dreilinden - the checkpoint between East Germany and West Berlin. During construction of the Wall in August 1961, it was at Checkpoint Charlie where American and Soviet tanks had their standoff - with motors running and guns loaded. The famous and emotionally moving museum houses memorabilia from the history of the Wall, as well as photographs, stories of successful escapes and unsuccessful attempts, etc. For this tour we highly suggest that guests tour the museum on their own and afterwards "relive" the Wall with a lecture and discussion by eye witnesses, escapees, etc. A very moving experience.

Duration: 2.5 hours; Cost: DM 45,-; minimum 40 persons

Back to Table of Contents