The royal city of Potsdam

This charming UNESCO World Heritage Site is located just outside the German capital's borders and was the second offical residence of the House of Hohenzollern - the noble family who ruled the mighty Kingdom of Prussia from 1701-1918 and the German Empire from 1871-1918.

Over a time span of more than two centuries, a total of nine kings took turns transforming Potsdam into a representative royal city and displaying their power through stunning architecture, beautifully designed gardens, and impressive palaces; almost all this survived WWII, and to say that something survived WWII in this part of the country is saying something very special. 

But the catastrophe of the 20th century history would intervene in 1945 when Potsdam hosted the final Big Three wartime summit at the Cecilienhof Palace where a Soviet dictator, two British Prime Ministers and an American President would meet for 17 days to discuss the fate of the postwar world and consquently usher in the Cold War. 

On this tour we'll explore the reconstructed Old Market Square, stroll through the quaint Dutch Quarter, journey through Park Sanssouci, and walk across the 'Bridge of Spies' - where the U-2 pilot Gary Powers was exchanged in 1962. 

By the end of the tour, you'll understand why it's often been said that Potsdam to Berlin is like what Versailles is to Paris.

„A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in“ - Frederick the Great