History trip to Berlin – Cold War: 4 days, 3 nights
Steeped with historical significance, Berlin is a superb choice to aid students’ historical understanding. Visits to the memorials and museums of Berlin will be sure to give the students memorable and moving experiences that they will bring back with them, and reflect in their continuing studies.
Similar tours
Excursion Ideas
Brandenburg Gate
Subject range: Cultural, History
What you’ll experience: The only remaining city gate of Berlin, it formerly represented the separation of the city between East and West. Since the Wall came down in 1989, the Brandenburg Gate has come to symbolise German unity.
Select says: The gate is made of sandstone and is one of the finest examples of German classicism.
Topography of Terror
Subject range: History
What you’ll experience: This is an exhibition centre on the site where, between 1933 and 1945, the centres of national-socialist terror, namely the Gestapo, the SS headquarters, the SS Security Service (SD) and the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (Main Office for State Security), were located.
Select says: Two tour types are possible – the main indoor exhibition and the open air historic site.
Jewish Museum
Subject range: History
What you’ll experience: Permanent exhibitions at the museum are dedicated to the history and life of German Jews. A variety of artefacts from both past and more recent history can be viewed, and students will get a sense of how Jews in Germany have reacted to their history through art. In addition the interior features a windowless Holocaust Tower. It is possible for school groups to take themed tours.
Select says: Outside there is a Garden of Exile, designed to reflect the isolation and disorientation of life in exile.
Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum
Subject range: History
What you’ll experience: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was one of the most notorious labour camps of the Nazi regime. It is located just north of Berlin and contains a museum, open air exhibition, Station Z memorial and a visitor’s information centre.
Select says: Guided tours are available.
Holocaust Memorial
Subject range: Art, History
What you’ll experience: Situated just south of the Brandenburg Gate the evocative Holocaust Memorial, has 2711 grey concrete slabs, or stelae. They are identical in their horizontal dimensions, differing vertically from 8 eight inches to more than 15 feet tall.
Select says: The information centre is at the site’s eastern edge and is divided into rooms dedicated to personal aspects of the tragedy, for example the letters thrown from the trains that transported people to the death camps.
The Reichstag
Subject range: History
What you’ll experience: The Reichstag is the most famous landmark in Berlin and seat of the German Parliament. Between 1994 and 1999 it was redesigned and expanded by the British architect Sir Norman Foster as a modern Parliament building while retaining its historical dimensions. Guided tours suitable for children are available on request. The glass dome has spectacular views of the parliamentary district and Berlin’s sights.
Select says: The dome and the roof terrace are only open and free for registered visitors (min 2 days in advance).
Obozow Jenieckich Museum - Stalag Luft 3
Subject range: History
The site of the former POW camp is now the ‘Stalag Luft III Prisoner Camp Museum’. Famously known as the site where ‘The Great Escape’ happened back in 1944, a fictionalised version of the escape was depicted in the film The Great Escape (1963), which was based on a book by former prisoner Paul Brickhill. The camp was liberated by Soviet forces in January 1945.
Please note, Museum is located approx. 2.5 hours drive from Berlin.
Stasi Museum
Subject range: History
What you’ll experience: In former East Berlin, set in a preserved building, this museum offers an insight into the reality of East Germany before the events of 1989. Guided tour.
Hohenschonhausen Memorial
Subject range: History
What you’ll experience: Set in a former prison in East Berlin, groups will be shown the reality of repression during the Cold War and the fate of thousands who faced political persecution.
Information: Transport required.
Deutschland Museum Berlin
Subject range: History, Cultural
What you’ll experience: An interactive, ‘4D’ attraction aiming to give an insight into German history and culture. Cover 2000 years in one hour – 12 rooms recreate many eras of history using sounds, smells and interactive exhibits! Combine with the German Spy Museum.
The Wall Museum at East Side Gallery
Subject range: Cultural, History
What you’ll experience: Learn about the eventful history of Germany, the GDR and the Cold War through this new multimedia exhibit across 13 rooms, including original exhibits and contributions by famous personalities. 100 screens, films and projectors bring the experience to life for the visitor.
History trip to Berlin – Cold War: 4 days, 3 nights Accommodation
Meininger Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus
Location: Berlin City Centre
Capacity: 242
This superb and modern accommodation in Berlin Mitte is on the doorstep of the main sightseeing hotspots. Hackescher Markt, the Museum Island, and Brandenburger Tor can all be reached by foot within a few minutes.
Rooms: En-suite bathroom, Bed linen & towels, Heating, Toiletries & Lockers
Facilities: Free WiFi
aletto Hotel Kudamm
Location: Berlin
Capacity: 850
Located a 2 minute walk from Berlin Zoological Garden, and 4km from the Brandenburg Gate. This contemporary hotel has great facilities and is well recommended.
Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities and Wi-Fi.
Facilities: Restaurant, communal areas, rooftop terrace, 24 hour reception.
Acama Kreuzberg Youth Hotel
Location: Berlin
Capacity: 599
Located in the popular Kreuzberg District, this youth hotel is 4km from both Alexanderplatz central square and the Berlin Zoological Garden.
Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities.
Facilities: Restaurant, communal areas, 24 hour reception, Wi-Fi.
A&O Friedrichshain
Location: Berlin
Capacity: 851
Situated in Friedrichshain on the edge of the city centre, and close to public transport links.
Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities.
Facilities: Buffet breakfast, lounge area, Internet access, games room.
A&O Berlin Mitte
Location: Berlin
Capacity: 1600
Located centrally in the Mitte district of Berlin, a great base from which to discover the city!
Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities.
Facilities: Buffet breakfast, lounge area, Internet access, games room.
Steps Hotel
Location: Berlin
Capacity: 39
In a convenient location in the district of Mitte in Berlin, situated in central yet quiet area. A 6 minute walk from Nauener Platz U-Bahn station, 3km from the Berlin Wall memorial and 5km from the Brandenburg Gate.
Rooms: Mixture of shared facilities and en-suite.
Facilities: Restaurant, free Wi-Fi, 24 hour reception, outdoor terrace area.
Hotel Transit Loft
Location: Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin
Capacity: 313
The Transit Loft is a modern hotel situated in a converted old factory building in the Prenzlauer Berg area of Berlin, just a few minutes away from Alexanderplatz, Hackescher Markt, the Museums Island and Kollwitzplatz. This hotel offers bright, friendly and functionally furnished accommodation for your school trip to Berlin.
Rooms: Multi-bedded with en-suite bathrooms.
Facilities: Buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, 24 hour reception.
Links to Learning
Learning areas:
At least one study of a significant society or issue in world history and its interconnections with other world developments – for example, Changing Russian empires c.1800-1989
History GCSE:
Democracy and dictatorship: Germany 1890–1945 (AQA)
Conflict and tension, 1894–1918 (AQA)
Conflict and tension, 1918–1939 (AQA)
Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 (AQA)
Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39 (Edexcel)
Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 (Edexcel)
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–c.2001 (OCR)
Germany 1925–1955: The People and the State (OCR)
Living under Nazi Rule, 1933–1945 (OCR SHP)
Germany in Transition, 1919-1939 (WJEC)
The Development of Germany, 1919-1991 (WJEC)
Hitler and Nazi Germany, 1919–1939 (SQA)
Appeasement and the Road to War, 1918–1939 (SQA)
World War II, 1939–1945 (SQA)
The Cold War 1945–1989 (SQA)
Germany 1918–1939 (CEA)
The Cold War 1945–1991 (CEA)History A and AS-Level
The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991 (AQA)
Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945 (AQA)
The Cold War, c1945–1991
The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000
The unification of Germany, c1840–71
The German Democratic Republic, 1949–90
Germany and West Germany, 1918–89 (Edexcel)
Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited (Edexcel)
International Relations 1890–1941 (OCR)
Democracy and Dictatorships in Germany 1919–1963 (OCR)
The Cold War in Europe 1941–1995
The Challenge of German Nationalism 1789–1919
Germany: Democracy to Dictatorship c.1918-1945 (WJEC)
Changing Leadership and Society In Germany, c.1871-1989 (WJEC)
Historical Study: European and World (SQA)
Germany 1919–45 (CEA)
The Causes and Consequences of Great Power Conflict 1848–1945 (CEA)
Clash of Ideologies in Europe 1900–2000 (CEA)Select Extras:
Have you thought of suggesting a relevant movie to your students pre-tour? We recommend WWII related films The Book Thief and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
You could also try Berlin DVD – written and presented by Martin Frei.
Try the resource below for ‘Time for Kids’ for a history timeline and more.
