On Friday 12th May, fifteen members and guests travelled to Berlin with the Travel Department for our second trip abroad. We were met at Berlin Tegal airport by the Travel Department representative who accompanied the group to the 3*** Leonardo Hotel Berlin, which is located in the Charlottenburg area, a good location to explore the city with an underground station nearby. The remainder of the day was free for everyone to get their bearings and have a look around the city themselves. In the evening the group went for dinner to a little Italian bistro, Trattoria Nardino, which was conveniently located just opposite the hotel.
The following day, Saturday 13th May, a half day city guided coach tour was included in the Travel Department itinerary, taking in highlights such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie. The afternoon and evening were free for everyone to further investigate Berlin themselves. There is so much to do and see in this amazing historical city that no one was at a loss for things to do such as a visit to Museum Island where the majority of Museums are located, the Opera, various palaces throughout the city, a boat ride on the river Spree, plus a host of other interesting places to see. The rest of the day was free for everyone to explore the city themselves.
On Sunday 14th May, some of the group went on a guided coach trip to Potsdam, a beautiful area. It was part of the Eastern Block during the cold war. Potsdam is the capital of the state of Brandenburg, and borders with Berlin and at its height it was a residence of the kings and Kaiser. The highlight of the tour was a visit to the Schloss Sanssouci Palace, the old home of Friedrich the Great in the 18th century. That evening some of the members went for dinner to a local restaurant Sole d’Oro Cucina Italiana which, from all accounts, was enjoyed by all.
The final day of the weekend, Monday 15th May, the Association arranged a visit to the Dome of the Bundestag, where an audio guide gave all the most important facts about the Reichstag Building and its surroundings, the German Bundestag, the work of Parliament, and the sights over Berlin on the 230 metre long ascent and descent. The rest of the day was free before the coach transported us to the airport for our homeward flight to Dublin. Some photos can be viewed in the Gallery of the Trinity Retirement Association website.