School Christmas Markets Trip to Berlin

Berlin is always a hit with students, but the German capital is magical at Christmas time - making it a fantastic choice for visiting the Christmas markets!

Home to 60 different Christmas markets, all of them with their own unique atmosphere, Berlin really does offer something for everyone. Why not try the Winterwelt in Potsdamer Platz, just outside the Sony Centre? This is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Berlin and features many stalls selling traditional seasonal gifts and cuisine, as well as Europe’s largest toboggan run and mobile ice rink.

Of course, you can combine your school trip to Berlin’s Christmas markets with a visit to the city’s many historical and cultural attractions, including the Brandenburg Gate and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. Or team up with the school's history, art or design and technology department to make this trip cross-curricular.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Afternoon

Fly to Berlin Transfer to accommodation by S-Bahn

Evening

Evening meal in accommodation followed by visit to Alexanderplatz and the TV Tower

Day 2

Morning

Visit to Potsdamer Platz, Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag

Afternoon

Visit to Checkpoint Charlie Museum

Evening

Evening meal in accommodation Visit to Winterwelt Christmas markets at Potsdamer Platz

Day 3

Morning

Visit to the Berlin Story Bunker

Afternoon

Visit to Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche and the Christmas market nearby

Evening

Evening meal in accommodation Visit to IMAX cinema

Day 4

Morning

Visit the Berlin Wall Memorial

Afternoon

Transfer by S-Bahn to airport for flight back to the UK

3 nights' half-board accommodation
Airport taxes and passenger duty at current rates
ATOL protected return flights from the UK
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
Detailed information pack
Free staff place ratio 1:10
Itinerary planning service
Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
VAT at current rates to tour operators

Curriculum

A Level

Festivals and traditions
Aspects of German-speaking society
Cultural heritage
Individual research project opportunities

GCSE

Food, drink and eating out
Customs, celebrations and festivals
Travel and tourism
Understanding German culture and identity

Key Stage 3

Exploring the town
Food and drink
Cultural traditions

Primary

Exploring the town
Food and drink
Traditional crafts
Festivals and celebrations

Accommodation

a&o Berlin Hauptbahnhof

This modern hostel is well located on a quiet street near the main train station in central Berlin.Students will generally be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms and staff in twins. All rooms are en-suite and have modern furnishings/ TV.Hostel facilities include a roof-top bar, games room and multiple conference rooms.

Aletto Kudamm

Newly opened in April 2012, the Aletto Kudamm offers 3* comfort and is only a few minutes walk away from the Zoological Garden, Kurfuerstendamm, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the famous KaDeWe.Students will generally be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms and staff in twins. All rooms are en-suite. Rooms are equipped with individually adjustable air-conditioning, Flatscreen TV with satellite television and radio stations, WiFi Internet access, shower-bath with WC, hairdryer and under-floor heating. Other facilities include a pool table, table football and other games. Weather permitting, there is a basketball court, 5-a-side football pitch, table tennis tables and boules area. The combination of a modern design, high quality facilities and excellent location make this an ideal hostel for school groups.

a&o Berlin Mitte

Located in the Mitte district of Berlin, this hostel's central location means you're right in the heart of the action. You'll be just two metro stations from Alexanderplatz and 10 minutes' walk from Ostbahnhof. All guestrooms feature a fully-equipped bathroom and WiFi is available throughout the property.

Meininger Berlin East-Side-Gallery

Located opposite the last remaining piece of the Berlin Wall, the East Side Gallery, this hotel also boasts easy public transport links to all of the city's attractions. Students stay in multi-bedded rooms, with staff in twins or singles. Breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals are all available. As well as a bar and lobby area, there is also a game zone that your students will love!

Meininger Berlin Hauptbahnhof

If you're looking for a hotel in Berlin that offers super quick and easy access to all of the city's attractions, then the Meininger Berlin Hauptbahnhof is hard to beat, as it's located next to Berlin's central station! Students will stay in multi-bedded rooms, with staff in twins or singles. The hotel can provide breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals. Plus, as well as a bar and lobby area, the hotel boasts a fantastic game zone that will go down a treat with your group!

Educational Activities

Checkpoint Charlie Museum

During the lifetime of the Berlin Wall, this was the only way for non-Germans to cross from one half of the city to the other.

Cultural Activities

Berlin Christmas Market

The Christmas Markets in Berlin are renowned for their metropolitan flair and, as a result, often have an edgier, more

Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower)

Visible from almost any point in the city, the television tower was a flagship of East German architecture.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate was commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II to represent peace. Designed by Karl Gotthard Langhans, the Court Superintendent

East Side Gallery

The longest surviving section of the Wall that once divided the city, this half-mile stretch along the bank of the River Spree was decorated by artists from across the world in 1990.

Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtnis Kirche

Built to commemorate Germany’s first Kaiser and gutted by bombing in 1943, this church’s spire, "der Hohle Zahn" ("the hollow

Kurfürstendamm

Known to the people of Berlin as Ku'damm, this broad alley which cuts a swate through the West Berlin is

Potsdamer Platz

In the years since German reunification Potsdamer Platz has made a transformation from a swathe of no man's land abutting

Supporting you every step of the way

Creating your perfect trip

Your quote will be put together by an experienced Tour Adviser who’ll be an expert in the subject area and will know the destination really well too. They’ll work with you to create a trip to suit your group’s needs and meet your learning objectives.

Launching your trip to parents and students

The next step is to get your trip approved and then get students signed up to it. Our ‘Trip Launch Pack’ will help you with this step. This is full of resources (all free to download) designed to make your life easier at this crucial point in the trip planning process.

After you’ve booked

Once you’ve booked, your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will start work on the finer details. They’ll make sure your itinerary makes the most of your time and they’ll take on most of the admin tasks for your trip (freeing you up to do what you do best – teach).

Support while you’re away

From lost property to properly lost, we’ll always be on the end of the phone while you’re out on the trip. You’ll get a final info pack before you go, as well as access to all your trip documents via the Vamoos app.

After your trip

We’ll ask you for feedback, so we can improve our service. Let’s start planning your next trip too, so parents have plenty of time to pay (and so it’s less stressful for you). And don’t forget to head to our resources hub to continue the learning back in the classroom.