Greg Kiep

I’ve been to Berlin several times, so I know how to make the most of your time there, see the main sites and get off the beaten path a bit and to have some unusual experiences. On my most recent visit, I made my home base the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Berlin at Potsdamer Platz in the city center. The location is convenient to many visitor sites like Sony Center, Tiergarten (a lovely park), the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate.

My room was spacious and wonderfully appointed with a bathroom that screamed, “take a bubble bath!” I also took the time to check out the spa and pool area, which were predictably lovely.  I chose a room on the 10th floor Club Level which I recommend to all of my clients because you receive a ton of amenities. These include continuous culinary offerings throughout the day, complimentary wine, beer and a variety of other alcoholic beverages,  a 24-hour “grab and go” station for soft drinks and coffee, a 24-hour Business Center and a dedicated concierge staff on hand to personalize your stay. 

Plus, I can arrange for additional perks for my clients at Ritz-Carlton hotels, including upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, daily buffet breakfast, $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit, complimentary Wi-Fi, and more.

There is so much to see in Berlin, it is hard to give recommendations without knowing your interests. I tell clients to concentrate on the aspects that are important to them - history, art, etc. Berlin is large, so it is a good city to do a Hop-On, Hop-Off or private tour to get an overview of the sites. 

For first timers, here are some general ideas for a nice sampling of the city’s attractions. Start with a guided Street Art Tour. I have done them in a variety of cities and they are always different, depending on what artists have been doing. The art is almost always interesting, and the guides usually have a unique perspective of the city and take you off the beaten-tourist path. 

In Berlin, the East Side Gallery, a 1.3km long section of the former Berlin Wall is an interesting focus, and nearby there are a ton of great places to eat or grab a drink nearby with cool spots near the river. Alexanderplatz, often the jumping off point for the Street Art Tour, is a shopping area but also home to interesting art projects, restaurants, and the famous Fernsehturm, a TV tower offering great views. 

Another great spot is Museum Island, a cluster of five museums. It is one of the most famous areas of Berlin and a great place to spend a day. If touring museums is not your thing, it is still a beautiful place to walk around and see from the outside.

Located very close to the Ritz-Carlton, the Holocaust Memorial is something I always revisit. It is a visually powerful remembrance and there is an information center located on the grounds. Even if you just take a few moments to walk through, I recommend adding this to your Berlin trip. 

This is a quick look at Berlin and there are so many adventures to be had in this city - culinary, LGBT, etc. I have spent a lot of time here and can help you plan a specific adventure. If you are planning a trip to Berlin, let’s chat and put together an itinerary that works for you!