Special Tours
Off the beaten path and out of the ordinary
And...Action!
Filmpark Babelsberg
"Everything I had to know about how to make movies I learned in Babelsberg."
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock
Quite right, Mr. Hitchcock! In the oldest film studios in Europe, between the southwest of Berlin and Sanssouci Park, more than 3000 film productions have been made. Outstanding films such as "Metropolis", with which German director Fritz Lang made movie history by giving rise to the genre Science Fiction; "The Blue Angel", which launched the legendary Marlene Dietrich to world fame; films shot in the difficult years of the territorial division of Germany under the aegis of the ancient DEFA Film Company, and newly, productions given the highest awards in the film industry such as: „The Pianist“ (2002), „The Reader“ (2008), „Operation Walküre” (2008), „Inglourious Basterds“ (2008), „Anonymous“ (2010), „The three Musketiers 3D“ (2010), „Cloud Atlas“ (2011), „The Monuments Men“ (2013), „Grand Budapest Hotel“ (2013) and „Bridge of Spies“ (2015), are just a sample of what countless internationally renowned filmmakers have achieved.
For over 100 years, dreams have played a leading role in the film studios and today the name Babelsberg is synonymous with innovation and creativity in the communications and entertainment industries.
Be my guest to find out what the "movie magic" is about: go behind the scenes and discover how ideas and dreams become a "reality". Tour around the facilities of the film park and learn what it takes to the make a film. And if you want to become a filmmaker for a day, professional studio staff will guide you through an exclusive tour for groups ("Making movies") where the participants themselves take on the parts of director, cameraman, sound engineer and actors making their own short film! Who will play the female leading role? Who will be the soulless villain? Who is in charge of the wardrobe?
And now that the technical instructions have been delivered and the performers are on their marks, attention: sound, camera, clack and ... Action!
The Royal Walks 1 - 3
RW1 – Charlottenburg
Since the death of its creator, Queen Sophie Charlotte von Hannover in 1705, the Charlottenburg Palace has become the official summer residence of the Hohenzollern family in the Berlin area. Taking almost 3 centuries to complete, the "Old Castle" (Altes Shloss), the "New Wing" (Neue Flügel), the Summer Pavilion, the Belvedere, and the Royal Mausoleum among others, are a Unesco World Heritage Site.
RW2 – Schönhausen
Initially outside the boundaries of the then capital of the kingdom, Schönhausen, was the official abode of Queen Elizabeth Christine, the unfortunate wife of the legendary Frederick II of Prussia (Frederick, "the Great"). In the postwar period, the palace became the seat of the presidency and guest house of the East German regime. Guided tour within the premises and gardens.
RW3 – Peacock Island
An island, one of many in the south-western course of the Havel River in Berlin. From here see the summer castle and gardens that constitute the first Prussian Zoo Garden in the mid-eighteenth century: Pfaueninsel. In addition to exotic peacocks that move "at ease" on the island striking local fauna and flora make visiting a delight in this protected reserve.
The Royal Walks 4 -6
RW4 – Glienicke Park and Palace
Klein Glienicke was the caprice of Prince Carl von Preußen, a brother of Emperor William I. With its "English park", casino and museum, the palace enjoys the status of "Cultural and Historical Heritage" awarded by Unesco. Located on one side of the oldest bridge in the region (Glienicke Brücke), the palace and the surrounding area were one of the "hot spots" during the Cold War period.
RW5 – Sanssouci Park and Palaces
The small castle where Frederick II (the "Great") wanted to live "without worries", is the starting point for a garden complex of more than 240 hectares north in the "old town" of Potsdam. Not damaged during the Second World War, today the entire grounds (museums, monuments and gardens) draw huge crowds from all over the world. For you to explore, various tours available ranging from the original palace's interiors (Sanssouci), the New Chambers (Neue Kammern), the Tea House (Chinesisches Haus) or the New Palace (Neues Palais).
RW6 – The New Gardens
Showing a particular fondness to the company of ladies from an early age, Frederick William II of Prussia commissions a huge set of structures to consolidate both his weakness for the female gender and his allure for the occult. Intent on enjoying life pleasures with no strings attached, the most important woman in his life – neither his wife, nor his Mother and sisters – was the reason for the construction of the entrancing Marmorpalais (Marble Palace), the exotic Palmenhaus (Royal Greenhouse) and the mysterious pyramid in the center of the grounds.
The New Gardens (Neuer Garten), the "open secret" of the monarch with the shortest administration in the history of the kingdom, are a landscape and architectural gem of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Taking you where you need to be
If your stay in Berlin is conditioned to a tight schedule, we provide assistance with:
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Event counselling / accompaniment
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Transportation arrangements
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Translation services (fairs / congresses / exhibitions)
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Arrival / departure transfers (Hotel / Airport)