Well, our journey to Germany with forty clients commenced with a coach trip from the office of the Prison Service Trust at Hydebank Wood to an airport hotel at Dublin airport. After checking in we had a lovely evening meal in the restaurant, a leisurely evening and an early night.
We woke up early and headed by coach to Dublin airport a short drive away to catch our flight to Berlin airport. We arrived to a chill wind and a seasonal snow flurry and were met by our German tour guide, Katarina, for a half day trip around Berlin. It was certainly very interesting to learn the history of this city and it’s different sectors and how it was transformed during the war. We had an hour’s brief lunch stop and most of our group grabbed a bite of lunch at the traditional food hall in the centre of Berlin (and enough said about the Bratwurst the better). The coach dropped us at our hotel, the Radisson Park Inn at Alexander Platz, which had a great central location perfect for exploring the city. After checking in we all had a beautiful buffet dinner.
The next day after a fabulous breakfast our clients were at liberty to do as they wished and explore the sights of this multi-cultural city, before returning in the evening for another lovely dinner. The next day was again free time and it was good to see our clients making the most of their trip by doing walking tours, visiting Berlin Cathedral, the Berlin Wall, the Holocaust Memorial, the Christmas market at Potsdam Platz, Brandenburg Gate, the excellent variety of shops, Checkpoint Charlie, traditional German beer halls, etc etc etc. Some of the more enthusiastic clients (you know who you are…. 😊) even had a go at the toboggan slide.
Our final morning dawned all too quickly and after our last breakfast at the hotel we boarded the coach to head to Berlin airport, arriving in Dublin early afternoon, weary but with plenty of happy memories of a great weekend with a lovely bunch of clients. As always, it is nice to catch up with “old” friends again but it is equally nice to meet new friends.
‘til the next time
Auf Wiedersehen
