Berlin guide
 

Hello:

I'm going to be in Berlin for the first time over New Years and would like to take a personal day-long guided tour of the city. Has anyone ever done this? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

DKM

I'm DIY myself. I'll get a map and suggestions from a hotel concierge and go hit the streets. However if you want a guide, simply call one of the 5-star hotels in town and ask them to recommend someone for you. I stayed at the I-C in Berlin recently. The concierge there was very helpful.

Hi Stimpy:

Thanks for your response. I normally do this myself as well, but my time is limited in this case - and I think a guided tour will be more efficient. In any event, I have already contacted the concierge, so I'm sure I'll be okay.

Thanks again for your response.

DKM

The licensed tour guides don't like to hear this, but a good tip is to connect up with a student, preferably someone studying to become a tour guide. They're usually bright and energetic, and will love the opportunity to show a foreigner around their city and practice English.

You can buy their lunch and dinner and mutually arrange a 'gratuity' and everybody wins. We did this in Russia and Hungary and it turned out great!

--Grog--

Take the Bus No:100 from the Zoo (Some of them are double-deckers) go sit on the top and get to see a lot of the city. I do not know if the Christmas market will still be open....