What an incredible three nights in Berlin! A group of 25 Art & Design and Technology students ventured to Germany last half-term, ready for an unforgettable experience.
Day 1 – Touchdown in Berlin
After a smooth British Airways flight from London City Airport, we arrived in Berlin at lunchtime and headed straight to our lively base: A&O Hostel Berlin Mitte. The atmosphere was buzzing with other schools and visitors – this is an extremely popular base from which to explore Berlin, and attracts a very wide variety of different travellers.
Dinner was a buffet with plenty of choices, and a taste of German cuisine for the adventurous! Then came our first exploration: a self-guided walk through Alexanderplatz, Hackescher Markt, and Museum Insel, soaking up Berlin’s vibrant street life. The evening ended on a high – literally – with a visit to the TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm). The city lights from above were spectacular!
Day 2 – Bauhaus & Berlin Style
Berlin treated us to crisp, sunny weather – ideal for walking. After breakfast, we hopped on the U-Bahn to Ernst Reuter Platz and visited the Bauhaus Temporary Archive, where students explored exhibitions inspired by the legendary design school.
Next stop: C/O Berlin, a photography hotspot blending art, architecture, and design. Then came some retail therapy and lunch at Bikini Berlin and Europa Center, where currywurst and German kebabs were a hit! Free time on Kurfürstendamm gave everyone a taste of Berlin’s shopping scene. The afternoon brought us to Urban Nation Museum, a contemporary space bursting with street art and sculpture – perfect for photoshoots and video projects.
One of the unexpected highlights came when Mr O’Brien and a group of car enthusiasts from our trip stepped into the DRIVE: Volkswagen Group Forum. Surrounded by gleaming models and cutting-edge automotive design, Mr O’Brien was in his element! He shared stories of classic cars and engineering marvels, sparking lively conversations with students who were just as passionate about design on wheels. It was a perfect mix of nostalgia and innovation – and definitely a moment where art met automotive style in true Berlin fashion.
We rounded off the day with a walk past iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and Holocaust Memorial, before heading back for dinner and a relaxed evening at the hostel.
Day 3 – Tech Meets Art
Sunday started with a visit to the German Museum of Technology, a firm favourite! Students explored everything from historic trains to full-size aircraft, and the Design & Technology enthusiasts loved the live metalworking demonstrations.
After lunch at The Brandenberg Gate, we squeezed in more photography and a stroll around Museum Insel before returning for dinner and some chill-out time at the hostel – which was buzzing with other school groups.
Day 4 – Farewell Berlin
Our final morning included a visit to the Reichstag, Germany’s parliament building. Sadly, the famous glass dome was closed for cleaning (it takes a whole week to polish those windows!), but the experience was still fascinating.
Before heading to the airport, we walked past the East Side Gallery, a colourful stretch of the Berlin Wall, and grabbed lunch. Then it was time to say goodbye to Berlin and fly back to London City Airport, tired but full of inspiration!
Berlin gave us art, history, design, and plenty of fun – a trip to remember. Thank you to all the students for their enthusiasm and creativity, and to the staff for making it happen. We can’t wait for the next adventure.
View some photos from the trip here: Berlin 2025