WW2 Both Sides of the Wire!

Berlin Battlefield Tour 2026

FROM THE THIRD REICH TO THE IRON CURTAIN

Discover the dark history and enduring resilience of Berlin on a five-day journey with the expert team behind our historical campaigns. Experience the definitive story of the 20th century’s most contested city, brought to life through world-class guides, harrowing sites of memory, and the pivotal locations where world history was written.

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Stand Where
History Turned

See the places that define the podcast’s stories, with added context and new details you won’t get from audio alone.

Behind the
Episodes

Join the voices behind Both Sides of the Wire on a tour guided by Matthias and Jesse, built on years of research.

History for
Everyone

A welcoming group where curiosity is encouraged and no one is left behind — whether you know every battalion number or you’re brand new to it all.

A five-day, four-night tour in the German capital

This immersive five-day tour follows the story of Berlin from the heart of the Third Reich to the final, apocalyptic "Götterdämmerung" of 1945 and its Cold War division. Meeting in the city center, we explore the bunkers, battlefields, and memorials that define the 20th century’s most contested capital.

Across the week, we’ll cover the brutal fight for the Government District, the chilling bureaucracy of Wannsee, the sobering reality of Sachsenhausen, and the underground remains of the Humboldthain Flakturm. Expect great company, expert context from Jesse and Matthias, and the opportunity to stand on the exact ground where world history was written.

5 Days, Wednesday 9^th – Sunday 13^th September 2026
£1750 per person (including single supplement), Limited Spaces
Key Sites: Reichstag, Führerbunker, Wannsee, Sachsenhausen, Checkpoint Charlie
Tour Guides:
Jesse Alexander & Prof. Matthias Strohn
What's Included: Hotel (Bed & Breakfast), transportation, battlefield guides, all entry fees

Podcast Hosts & Tour Guides:

Jesse Alexander

Jesse Alexander

Public Historian

Jesse is a public historian and the host of Real Time History, The Great War, and documentaries including 16 Days in Berlin. With over 20 years of experience in filmmaking, battlefield guiding, and museum research, he has worked with institutions like the Vimy Memorial and the Canadian War Museum. He holds an MA in History from the University of Vienna, specializing in 20th-century propaganda and memory.

Professor Matthias Strohn

Prof. Matthias Strohn

Military Historian

Matthias is a leading specialist in 20th-century warfare and the Head of Historical Analysis at CHACR, the British Army’s strategic think-tank. An author and editor of over 20 books, he has led battlefield tours across Europe, from Madrid to Stalingrad. Matthias frequently serves as a historical adviser for TV and radio and brings unique practical insight as a commissioned officer in the German Army with overseas operational experience.

Day 1: Setting the Scene

We begin with a central Berlin-Alexanderplatz meet and an introduction walk designed to orientate everyone in the city’s geography and layered history. The day sets the foundations for everything that follows, imperial Berlin, the Weimar years, Nazi rule, destruction, and reinvention.

Visits include: Unter den Linden, Hotel Adlon, Neue Wache, and Bebelplatz, the site of the infamous book burning.

Day 2: The Government District - Berlin 1945

Today we focus on the brutal final battle for the heart of the Reich. Using the city’s key locations, we follow the fight into the Government District and examine how the war ended here, politically, militarily, and symbolically.

Visits include: Moltkebrücke, Brandenburger Tor, the Holocaust Memorial, the site of Hitler’s Führerbunker, the former Gestapo HQ / Topography of Terror, and an evening visit to the Reichstag Dome.

Day 3: Surrender, Memory, and Decision-Making

Leaving the city centre with a dedicated coach and driver, we begin with one of Berlin’s most striking memorials before tracing the end of the war, then shifting to the machinery of policy and persecution.

Visits include: Treptower Park Soviet Memorial, Karlshorst (site of the surrender signing), Olympiastadion, Gleis 17 deportation memorial (Grunewald), and the Wannsee Conference site (January 1942).

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Day 4: Camps, Flak Towers, and Execution Sites

A day that confronts the Nazi system directly, from imprisonment and murder to the structures built to defend the capital and the locations where the regime executed its opponents.

Visits include: a guided visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, the remains of Flakturm Humboldthain, and Gedenkstätte Plötzensee, where thousands were executed.

Day 5: Resistance and the Cold War Front Line

Our final morning focuses on German resistance and the price paid by those who acted. We close by stepping into the Cold War landscape to understand what Berlin became after 1945.

Visits include: Bendlerblock (Resistance Museum; Operation Valkyrie and the executions of Stauffenberg and others) and our final stop at Checkpoint Charlie to discuss Berlin’s post-war division and global significance.

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Traveling with a Partner

Who Isn’t Into Military History?

Berlin isn’t just for military history fans — it’s a vibrant, cultural city with plenty to enjoy:

Museums & galleries – world-class collections and contemporary art

Cafés & food scene – from street food to Michelin-starred dining

Parks & riverside walks – relax and take in the city’s green spaces

Characterful neighbourhoods – explore vibrant districts at your own pace

Even partners less interested in history often end up loving the tour, and many return the following year excited to explore more.

The schedule includes downtime, and there’s a £200 per person discount for twin or double rooms, making it easy to enjoy the trip together comfortably.

Everything you need to know about the Berlin-Tour 2026

Find quick answers on tour dates, the start and end point in Berlin, travel from Europe or overseas, or it's your first time in Germany.

We want the planning to feel simple and stress-free, so you can focus on the experience ahead.

If you’re unsure or have any questions, feel free to contact us directly.

Where the Tour Starts and Ends

The tour starts and ends in Berlin.

The group will meet at 2:00 pm on Wednesday 9th September 2026 at the Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz, where the tour begins. The tour concludes in Berlin on the evening of Sunday 13th September 2026.

Guests can either arrive in Berlin on the morning the tour begins or travel in the day before, which many guests prefer for a more relaxed start. If you arrive on the morning of the tour, you will be able to leave your luggage at the hotel before heading out for the first activities of the tour.

Can I Arrive Early or Extend My Stay?

Yes. Many guests choose to arrive in Berlin a day early or stay on for a few extra days after the tour to explore more of the city.

Berlin is not only rich in history, but also a fantastic cultural city with something to offer everyone, from museums, galleries and architecture to food, music and vibrant neighbourhoods. It’s an ideal destination if you are travelling with someone who may not want to focus solely on military history all day, as there is plenty to enjoy alongside the historical aspects of the tour.

What's there for my partner?

Even if military history isn’t your partner’s passion, Berlin is one of Europe’s most vibrant, creative, and culturally rich cities, and this itinerary ensures there’s plenty for them to enjoy. The places we visit are not just historical sites but also powerful cultural landmarks, architectural highlights, and thought‑provoking spaces that explore art, memory, design, and human stories. Alongside the structured visits, there’s time to relax in cafés, stroll along rivers, browse independent shops, or explore the city’s famously laid-back neighbourhoods. Berlin’s food scene is outstanding, its green spaces are beautiful, and the city’s atmosphere is welcoming, modern, and full of energy.

In short, while the tour explores Berlin’s past, your partner will also experience the culture, character, and vibrancy of the Berlin of today.

For guests traveling with a companion, there is a £200 per person discount for those booking a twin or double room, making it even easier to enjoy the tour together comfortably.

I have a relative who served!

— can we include something related to them?
Yes! We love to do that. Let us know a little detail and we’ll see what we can do.

I’m travelling alone - is that normal?

Yes. Many visitors join alone. We always have a great group dynamic and make everyone feel very welcome.

Any Questions regarding the Tour?

If you have any questions about the tour, before, during, or after the booking process — our partner Winning Travel is here to help.

Feel free to contact them anytime:
winningattravel@gmail.com

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