44907NOR
Excursion for European War History tour
Wannsee Villa picture stop
Cecilienhof picture stop/inside visit
Sans Souci outside or inside visit & walk through the park
· Make sure group leaders are aware what is or is not included. If they want any inside visits, you should try to book an English tour as far in advance as possible.
Berlin – Potsdam 22km 45 – 60 mins (traffic may be heavy)
Depart from Berlin. Follow signs for Potsdam. The route will
take you along the Wannsee, turn right along Am Grossen Wannsee,
there are two bus parking spots in front of the house. Entrance inside is
free (ring for entry), but you must call in advance if you want to visit inside with a group, and in any case it is unlikely you will have time for anything other than a picture stop here.
The road between Wannsee and Potsdam takes you over the Glienicke
Bridge, famously used during the Cold War for spy exchanges, and which features in the “Bridge of Spies” movie.
On arrival in Potsdam, follow signs to Schloss Sans Souci. Set down at the bus park which is clearly signed up. The bus waits here.
If you have an inside visit, go to the ticket office next to the windmill, close to the coach park, where you will meet your guide. There are pay WCs here (€0,50). Lead the group up to the palace and be aware they are extremely strict about going in exactly at the allotted time. If there is time after the tour (or you are simply doing an outside photo visit), do a walk through the gardens down through the wine terraces, to the great fountain, round to the right and back up to the bus. Do not worry if you do not have enough time and have to miss this out.
Cecilienhof – photo stop
Park in the bus park in the wood 50m from the Manor House. Give them time for photos and postcards. Your driver may have to pay for parking.
NB: It is possible to visit inside. (€12/ students €8, with audioguide. Allow min 20 mins. They pay. Adjust above timings.)
Leave the bus park and drive back to Berlin. In the Havelbucht you will
pass the pump disguised as a mosque (Wasserwerk) and as you leave the
centre, the film museum (Marstall) and the Babelsberg Villas (the
Beverley Hills of Berlin’s Hollywood of the 30’s). Crossing the bridge back
to former West Germany you have a splendid view of Babelsberg Castle.
House of the Wannsee Conference: (+49) 030 8050010.
Opening hours; 10am – 6pm daily (except public holidays.)
Cecilienhof: (+49) 0331 9694200. CLOSED MONDAYS.
Opening hours; 10am – 6pm (April – Oct), 10am – 5pm (Nov – Mar).
Sanssouci Palace: (+49) 0331 9694200. CLOSED MONDAYS.
Opening hours; 10am – 6pm (April – Oct), 10am – 5pm (Nov – Mar)