Hey thriller authors—Dan Brown, James Rollins, Steve Berry:  You’ve scoured Vatican archives, cracked codes in Washington D.C., and...

Berlin may not be the first city that comes to mind when thinking of World War I tourism—unlike Verdun, Ypres, or the Somme, it saw no battlefronts, bombings, or trench warfare. Yet, as the capital of the German Empire during the war, Berlin was the political nerve center of a collapsing monarchy and the stage for the country’s shift into republicanism. The remnants of that era are scattered and subtle, but for those who look closely, Berlin offers a compelling mosaic of site

Planning a trip and wanting to see the best Christmas markets in Germany? I got you. As a private guide in Berlin and avid traveler, I’ve...

Why Haven’t These Incredible Berlin Stories Been Turned Into Movies Yet? Future Directors, Listen Up: These Berlin Stories Deserve the...

Learn more about stories like this by booking a Sachsenhausen memorial tour with me. In the summer of 1936, as the world’s eyes turned to Berlin for the Olympic Games, a new Nazi concentration camp was being built just north of the capital: Sachsenhausen . Among the athletes competing that year was Włodzimierz Długoszewski , a talented Polish rower, sports journalist, and public intellectual. He proudly captained the Polish rowing team to Olympic bronze . What he couldn’t kno

Berlin's skyline is a living chronicle of architectural evolution, reflecting the city's rich history and its embrace of innovation. From the stately edifices of Prussian architects like Karl Friedrich Schinkel and Andreas Schlüter, who infused the city with neoclassical and baroque elegance, to the revolutionary designs of Bauhaus pioneers such as Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Berlin showcases a tapestry of styles. Post-World War II reconstruction invited a gl

Why Didn’t More Jews Escape Nazi Germany? One of the most common and heartbreaking questions about the Holocaust is: Why didn’t more Jews leave Germany before the worst happened?  The answer is complex and tragic, involving restrictive immigration policies worldwide, high costs and legal barriers, and deep emotional ties. The story of the MS St. Louis —a ship carrying over 900 Jewish refugees turned away by Cuba, the United States, and Canada in 1939—highlights these challeng

If you’ve ever wandered through the leafy paths of Alexandrowka , the historic Russian colony in Potsdam , you may have noticed something...

Berlin isn’t just about history and hipster cafés — it’s also full of spectacular viewpoints offering sweeping panoramas across the city. From iconic towers and historic domes to secret rooftops and natural hills, here are the best places to get a bird’s eye view of the German capital. 1. Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm) Located at Alexanderplatz, the Fernsehturm is Berlin’s tallest structure at 368 meters. Built in the 1960s by the GDR, the observation deck at 203 meters offers

The Ultimate Guide to Fairytale German Places Near Berlin If you're in Berlin and dreaming of fairytale villages , quaint medieval towns , and streets lined with crooked timber houses , you're not alone. Berlin may be a cultural powerhouse, but when it comes to the classic charm of storybook Germany —with its half-timbered facades, cobblestone alleys, and hilltop castles—you might feel like you’re in the wrong part of the country. The south, particularly Bavaria and the Black

As a private guide in Berlin and Potsdam , I’m often asked — especially during summer walks through Sanssouci’s royal gardens — "Why does the grass look so long and wild? Isn’t this supposed to be a historic park?" It’s a great question — and the answer lies in how cities like Berlin and Potsdam are adapting to climate change  and working to protect biodiversity . 1. Climate Change: Hotter, Drier Summers The Berlin-Brandenburg region is getting noticeably drier . Over the pa

The Day Berlin Got Ghosted by the Pope (Because of a Murdered Priest) Yes, you read that right: Berlin once made the Pope so mad that he basically put the city in time-out... for 20 years. This isn’t a Netflix medieval drama—though it could be. Back in 1325, the city of Berlin committed what was, in the eyes of the Catholic Church, an unforgivable sin: its citizens murdered a priest . And not just any priest—Nikolaus von Bernau was a powerful church figure, and his death sent

The Weimar Republic era (1918–1933) was one of the most artistically rich and technically innovative periods in world cinema. While the Academy Awards (Oscars) began in 1929, many of the greatest films and filmmakers had already made their mark on global film history—particularly in Germany. So what if the Oscars had started a decade earlier? There's a compelling case that Weimar-era German cinema would have dominated the awards , with visionary directors, groundbreaking cine

As a private tour guide in Berlin , I spend my days picking up guests from all corners of the city—five-star classics, trendy boutique hotels, and everything in between. One hotel that consistently impresses both me and my guests? Hotel Luc, Autograph Collection . Nestled in the historic heart of Berlin, directly on the elegant Gendarmenmarkt , Hotel Luc blends modern luxury with a wink to Prussian heritage. I’ve had the pleasure of dropping off and picking up countless guest

The Hohenzollern dynasty shaped the rise of Prussia and the German Empire. This guide takes you through the lives, legacies, and burial places of each major Hohenzollern ruler—from The Great Elector, who laid the foundation of Prussian power, to Crown Prince Wilhelm, the last heir to the German throne. The Great Elector – Friedrich Wilhelm (1620–1688) Known as the architect of Prussia’s military and administrative strength, Friedrich Wilhelm modernized his territories and lai

Berlin isn’t just a city—it’s a feeling. A place where history, rebellion, freedom, and creativity collide. Over the decades, artists from all corners of the world have been inspired by its gritty charm, turbulent past, and electric energy. Whether it’s a hymn to its spirit, a tale from its streets, or an anthem that could only come from Berlin, music has always been a powerful mirror of the city’s identity. From classical roots to punk defiance, from Cold War reflections to

On my private tours of Berlin , we talk a lot about the Holocaust and World War II . Like many others, I deeply respect Germany’s efforts in facing its Nazi past. The country has built memorials, integrated Holocaust education into its curriculum, and committed itself to remembrance in ways that set an international example. But when people praise Germany for this, I like to remind them: Germany still has much to learn from itself . One glaring omission in Germany’s process o

Walking through Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz today, nestled in Berlin's Mitte district, you might not realize at first glance that this small,...

May 8th, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe , a pivotal moment in Berlin’s history and a turning point for the world. This year, Berlin commemorates this milestone with a special public holiday on May 8th  – a one-off day of remembrance and reflection. Bundesarchiv, B 145 Bild-P054320 / Weinrother, Carl / CC-BY-SA 3.0 As the war came to a close in spring 1945, Berlin was the final battleground . The Battle of Seelow Heights  in April 1945 was

When you think of Mark Twain, images of the Mississippi River, mischievous boys, and sharp-witted American humor likely come to mind. But for a brief, fascinating period, Twain found himself far from his familiar American landscapes—he was living in Berlin, the so-called "Chicago of Europe." From October 1891 to March 1892, Twain and his family resided in the German capital, escaping financial woes and seeking relief for his wife’s health concerns. What he found was a city th