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The illuminated Bode Museum sits along the Spree River in Berlin, Germany, with the Fernsehturm TV Tower visible against the night sky.
Germany

Berlin: Two Pasts, One Present

Program No. 16952RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
20 meals ( 10B, 5L, 5D )
6 expert-led lectures
12 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Luggage can be stored at the hotel if you arrive early. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Orientation: 4:30 p.m. in the hotel meeting room. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Please note that in Germany it is often expected to pay for using public restrooms with small change; we advise to carry 1 Euro pieces with you during field trips. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach several times; short walks to and standing at field trip sites; cobblestones. The specific sites seen during our motorcoach field trip will depend on schedules and local conditions at the time of the program.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
This morning we’ll be joined by a local expert who will give a presentation on Berlin’s problematic past, its vibrant present, and potential future. We’ll then board a motorcoach with our expert for a field trip to see some of the city’s highlights including the Berlin Wall monument, Checkpoint Charlie, Gendarmenmarkt Square with the restored Konzerthaus and the French and German churches, Paris Square and the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer Square (the new and old), Memorial Church, and new architecture.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Our expert-led field trip continues aboard the motorcoach including a stop at the Jewish Quarter. Upon our return to the hotel, we’ll adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2.5 miles; cobblestones. Evening concert.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin the morning with a lecture by a knowledgeable local expert who will introduce the history of Berlin's famous Museum Island. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Museum Island complex is home to five internationally acclaimed museums. After the lecture, we will go to Museum Island by motorcoach and see one of the exhibitions led by the local expert.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy local fare.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity to see and do what interests you most. You are provided with a day pass and are welcome to remain and continue exploring the treasures of Museum Island.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We will attend an evening performance.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 4-5 hours riding time with short stops along the way (not including the expert-led walks and lunch); getting on/off a boat
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our morning field trip via motorcoach takes us to Potsdam, located just outside Berlin. During an expert led field trip we will discover this historic city known for its stunning palaces, gardens, and rich cultural heritage. We will stroll through the charming Dutch Quarter with its red-brick houses, visit the impressive Brandenburg Gate, and explore the beautiful parks and canals that make the city so picturesque. With its blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty, Potsdam is a fascinating destination to discover on foot.
Lunch:
On your own at the dutch quarter.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon we'll enjoy a scenic cruise on the Havel and Wannsee, departing from Potsdam’s harbor. Along the way, admire charming riverside homes and the parks and remarkable palaces that define Potsdam’s royal landscape. Glide past Babelsberg Park, the Griebnitzsee, and the villas of Wannsee, with views of Peacock Island, Glienicke Park, and the iconic Glienicke Bridge—an evocative journey through landscape, history, and memory. We'll then return to Berlin by motor coach.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off public transport; 4 miles, standing at the Allied Museum, climbing stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we’ll take public transport to Charlottenburg for a neighborhood walk. Strolling past gracious streets and historic facades, we gain insight into the area’s transformation from royal residence to vibrant urban quarter. An exterior visit to Charlottenburg Palace offers a glimpse into Prussia’s imperial past, as we reflect on the palace grounds and their place in Berlin’s history—connecting architecture, everyday life, and the city’s evolving identity.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant near the palace.
Afternoon:
We’ll then take a motorcoach to visit the Allied Museum. First, we’ll assemble in a room at the museum for a lecture on German-American relations from 1945 to the present by an expert. After this, our expert will lead us through the exhibition. Dedicated to the 50-year Allied presence in Berlin, we will explore the museum's permanent exhibits with a focus on the large-scale objects such as the Hastings plane, the French military train and the original Checkpoint Charlie. We also check out the espionage tunnel of "Operation Gold". We'll then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
120 miles to Leipzig by high speed train ride, 1,5 hours each way, walking up to 4 miles, cobblestones, escalators
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we will take a short walk to the train station and depart for our day trip to Leipzig. In Leipzig we will be met by a local expert for a guided city walk, exploring the city’s vibrant mix of history and culture. We’ll see the historic Market Square, the impressive St. Thomas Church where Bach worked, the lively streets of the city center, and the sites that reflect Leipzig’s role in trade, music, and peaceful revolution.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
At leisure. During a free afternoon in Leipzig, you might visit the Museum of Fine Arts, with its collections from the Renaissance to contemporary art, or the Museum in the Old Town Hall, which brings the city’s rich history to life. Alternatively, enjoy a stroll through the Market Square and surrounding historic streets, where architecture and lively cafés reveal Leipzig’s vibrant character. We'll then return to Berlin by train in time for dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Berlin.
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles, several flights of stairs at Tempelhof Airport, standing, getting on/off motorcoach and public transport, please wear comfortable, closed shoes for Tempelhof Airport
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we'll take public transportation to visit the historic Tempelhof Airport, a protected monument whose monumental architecture reflects Berlin’s turbulent history. On a guided walk, learn about the political and ideological background of its construction and learn how Tempelhof, designed by Ernst Sagebiel in 1936, was both a symbol of oppression, where forced laborers worked in the hangars during World War II, and of freedom, serving as a gateway to the world during the 1948–49 Airlift and throughout Germany’s division. We'll then take a motor coach to the Jewish Museum.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant near the Jewish Museum.
Afternoon:
This afternoon a local expert will guide us through the Jewish Museum. The Jewish Museum offers a moving exploration of Jewish life, history, and culture in Germany. Its striking architecture, designed by Daniel Libeskind, reflects the trials and resilience of the Jewish community, while exhibitions combine personal stories, historical artifacts, and contemporary art to create a powerful, thought-provoking experience.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles; standing, climbing flights of stairs up to the Reichstag building.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
In the morning, we will be joined by a political expert for a lecture about politics in Germany and the EU. We will then take a walking field trip to one of the city’s most famous landmarks, the former Reichstag building that is now the seat of the Deutscher Bundestag, the German Federal Parliament. As we see and appreciate the magnificent architecture, we will also learn more about Germany’s turbulent political past — and that mysterious 1933 fire! — before ascending to the rebuilt glass cupola. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of the parliamentary and government district and Berlin’s sights.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
At leisure to explore on your own. Your group leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off public transportation and motor coach. Walking up to 3 miles, cobblestones, climbing flights of stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach for a field trip to meet a local artist who painted part of the Berlin Wall and is one of the founders of the artist collective of the East Side Gallery. Afterwards we will go by motorcoach to the Stasi Museum - the former headquarters of the East German Ministry of State Security (Stasi). The Stasi Museum offers insight into the extensive surveillance system of the GDR. Original offices, documents, and artifacts illustrate how the state monitored and controlled daily life. The visit encourages reflection on civil liberties, personal freedom, and the importance of democratic values in modern society.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Presentation and discussion with Martin Jankowski, contemporary witness from former GDR, in the foyer of the Museum of Everyday Life in the GDR. Afterwards return to the hotel by public transportation or stay and continue to explore the museum.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like and sample local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Taking public transportation. Walking up to 2 miles and standing, walking on cobblestones.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will travel by public transport to the Berlin borough of Schöneberg, where we explore the neighborhood with a local resident whose roots lie in Russia and whose family history is shaped by Ukraine, Judaism, and Islam. Maria offers a deeply personal perspective, linking today’s global political tensions with Germany’s past and her own life as a Russian woman in Berlin. Walking through the streets she knows intimately, Maria reflects on the historical significance of these places and their meaning in her own life, considering how conflict can divide people—and how empathy and connection can help rebuild what has been broken.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
At leisure to explore on your own. Your group leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Transportation Information” regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Sep 12, 2026 - Sep 20, 2026
May 01, 2027 - May 12, 2027
Jun 05, 2027 - Jun 16, 2027
Sep 11, 2027 - Sep 22, 2027
Oct 02, 2027 - Oct 13, 2027