Berlin Review: A Visit For Pleasure And Business
Berlin was the place my husband and I were both in for the whole of last week. My company had a training event for the weekend and we decided to use our company product and spend a few days there prior to the event. It was a specially designed and exclusive trip, one of thousands that my travel community provides.
It was such a great trip I wanted to share it with you in case you ever decide to visit Berlin yourself.
My husband Chris has always wanted to visit Berlin. He has an interest in its history, especially events around the world war 2 years and the Berlin Wall.
Berlin Day One – Arrival
We travelled from Portugal to Berlin. You can imagine the temperature change when we arrived. From 20 degrees Cesius to 2 degrees, brrrr it was cold.
Our hotel was the Grand Hyatt near the Potsdamer Platz. A perfect location near many shops, bars and restaurants and a 20 minute walk away from the Brandenburg Gate.
After checking in we were greeted by our host for the week, Fernando. He presented us with our gift from the company and gave us the itinerary for the week.
The hotel had 3 restaurants and two bars, a spa and the staff were friendly. My husband was particularly impressed with one of the bars which had over 200+ whisky’s on display. He intended to try a few of them during our stay!
Its important to know that even though there is an itinerary for the week for members, everything is entirely optional. People can either join in or not. We decided we wanted to do our own thing as well as join in. The first evening we joined fellow travel club members in the bar for a welcome drink and get together.
Day Two – A Day Exploring
We decided the best way to see Berlin was to use the local sight seeing buses. We were able to buy our tickets at the hotel and catch the bus right at the end of the road of our hotel. (perfect). The bus took around the whole of Berlin, visiting important and historic sites. They included the Brandenburg Gate, Check Point Charlie, The Jewish Memorial, The Jewish Memorial Museum, The Berlin Wall (parts are still there for preservation and historical reasons), Reichstag, plus many historical buildings around Berlin.
We loved visiting Check Point Charlie and even had our passports stamped at what was once the border. We know its all stage managed now but it was interesting to see where the location was when the Berlin Wall was there and listening to the stories of what happened.
Day Two Evening
Our travel club arranged for a dinner cruise down the River Spree. A three course meal with drinks and a chance to meet up with fellow members. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed a lovely meal. Seeing the city at night from the river was a wonderful experience. Transport was arranged to and from the hotel for everyone.
Day Three – Berlin
We explored more of the city today and also the shopping centres. There are many different malls in Berlin and we were close to quite a few of them from our Hotel. We spent some time visiting the Jewish Museum, learning the history of the Holocaust and the harrowing stories of the jewish people.
We also learned more about the effects of the Berlin wall and how people tried to escape. When you witnessed some of the ways people escaped it was quite amazing to hear. It really made my husband and I truly appreciate the freedom we have always enjoyed.
Our evening was spent at a pre-arranged cocktail party at the top of the Berlin TV tower. The views from this structure were stunning and is well worth a visit. There is also a restaurant that revolves while you are eating. We were told it gets booked months in advance and is a very popular place.
Again, transport was arranged for us to and from the hotel.
Day Four
We spent our morning exploring around the hotel and did spot of shopping. I bought myself a wooly hat because Berlin was very cold, freezing in fact. If you visit in the winter take some warm clothes, gloves and boots with you. You definitely need them.
In the afternoon our travel club had arranged for us to see a Sand Show in a local theatre. We had no idea what this would be like. It turned out to be magnificent. We were taken through the history of Berlin by a talented artist who created pictures using sand. The pictures were projected on to a big screen. If you are ever in Berlin, I highly recommend you go to watch this.
This was the last organised thing from our club and we spent the evening at a local market, exploring, drinking gluewein and generally enjoying the festive atmosphere. Christmas market stalls were being built all around Berlin and was it was magical to see it.
Business In Berlin
Our week ended on the Friday and business began. Due to me being a representative of the travel club I was there to attend company training. Two days of intensive training by Marc Accetta our company head trainer. The events in our company are awesome and pay attention to personal development and how to promote our wonderful product to others.
We have four major events a year in different cities around Europe and the World in addition to regional events close to home. The support and training are one of the major things that attracted me to be a part of the company.
Unfortunately for me I became ill and missed the second day but my team mates gave loads of feedback and after all, I had been using our product all week so I had a lot to be grateful for.
Summary
My husband and I enjoyed yet another wonderful dream trip and were able to combine business with pleasure. Every dream trip we have been on has been a great experience. 5 star hotels, good locations, lots of extras thrown in and all at wholesale prices.
Being part of a company that is growing beyond belief around the world is satisfying and the strongest message gained from the training is this is going to be the way of travel in the future.
A bonus is that anyone can become a member and enjoy the benefits it brings. I chose to be a representative as well but that is totally optional and up to each individual. There are thousands of members who are not reps who enjoy this product every day of the week, all year round.
If you want to know more about my lifestyle and travel community please get in touch with me by sending an email to Lynda@lyndakennyonline.com. You might also like my free guide……. The 7 Secret Locations You Must Visit Before Your Passport Expires.
PS Retirement never felt so good!
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The Reawakened Entrepreneur
Empowering Home Business Entrepreneurs To Make Success Become A Reality
Email me at Lynda@lyndakennyonline.com
Phone or text me on 00447515940004
love the photos, will have to check berlin out =D
Thanks Sheena. Take some warm clothes if you visit in the winter lol. It is quite cold. Fabulous city though. We loved it.
Love your review… it makes me wanna go back again right now. Great city and it shows you had an amazing time Lynda :)
Thanks Gordon, We had a lovely Dream Trip. We saw all the place we wanted to see and enjoyed the extras we had provided. Great hotel too.