Day 3: Berlin

After walking 15 km on day 2, we decided that we need to be more selective when choosing how much to do each day. We focused on learning more about the Prussian royalty by visiting Schloss Charlottenburg. This castle was home to Frederick the Great who is responsible for unifying the various German kingdoms in the late 1800s. The castle has a colourful history including Napoleon sleeping in the Queen's bedroom after he invaded Prussia on his way to Russia. It was also heavily damaged by Allied bombing in WWII. The grounds include large gardens, a belvedere and a mausoleum. Check out the beauty that is being restored:

The group arrives at Charlottenburg

The main ballroom

The ceilings were art

Queen Charlotte's bedroom

Drawing Room

The grounds behind

Gardens showing late summer flowers

The pond in the gardens

Belvedere that displayed porcelain collection

Royal Mausoleum

Tomb of Queen Luise

Detlev and Marilyn discuss the Prussian royal history

We enjoyed a late lunch of traditional German fare. I had a tasty Goulash soup and a flight of 6 beers brewed on the site. After a rest at the apartment, we enjoyed more German fare at Schnitzel Koenig (King). Check out the tasty photos:

A flight of beers brewed on premises

Richard and Marilyn outside the Brauhaus Lemke

My schnitzel at Schnitzel Koenig

Richard's schnitzel at Schnitzel Koenig

Afterwards, we returned to the apartment to pack since we leave Berlin early in the morning.  Having Detlev who is a native Berliner as host, we experienced a true Berlin visit that most tourists do not receive.  Many thanks to Detlev and Maya.