Art
The Brücke Museum: is a must for anyone interested in German Expressionism. Berlin was the home and inspiration of the Brücke artists who moved here around 1912. Leading Brücke artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner immortalized Berlin’s decadence in the Weimar Republic with his street scenes and prostitutes, then mentally collapsed with the fall the German Empire and went on permanent recovery in Switzerland. The museum is dedicated exclusively to Kirchner and his colleagues with thematic shows in an intimate setting in Berlin’s villa district.Read more »
GUIDES
ANDREW
Andrew is the author of the Behind the Iron Curtain Tour and like Karl Marx and his Berlin student years, of which Andrew is a great authority apon, he is given to philophising late into the long, long Berlin nights. He came to Germany 6 years ago to teach the former east Germans about Canada and used to live very close to a nuclear reactor of the Chernobyl type - if there's a certain glow about him its no wonder. In exchange for teaching them to speak English with a proper Canadian accent, the east Germans gave him the inside scoop on life behind the Iron Curtain. Join Andrew and hear all about real and fascinating stories from the city that lived the Cold War like no other.
BEN
Ben: our in-house qualified architect and latest from London. Ben
sought Berlin out because it's the world's most important city for modern
architecture - from Bauhaus, Nazi onto the new capital. Any design
enthusiasts will receive excellent and full detail.
BRIAN
Brian: is of great repute having shot to stardom in popularity as
Insider Tour Guide extraordinaire. Brian is an international jet setter
come Theatre Production Manager in which capacity he is the creator of world renowned musicals and operas. How'd we coax Brian into it? Easy, he loves Berlin with a zest and so do people having done his tour.
CHRIS
Chris is one of the few Germans that have delivered the Insider Tours to our largely english speaking audiences, and to what a response! Chris greatly relieved it wasn't hostile in kind was pleasantly surprised people found it intriguing to have a native as guide. He is a Masters of Law by education and comes from an old Junker family with a significant heritage of some 500 years, such combined elements have resulted in a truly profound and insightful tour enriched by fact it is his own heritage Chris is expounding upon. A great asset to Insider Tours and experience for those lucky to have him!
DEREK
Derek: despite a worrying increase in the number of Canadians working for Insider we could not pass up the insights and enthusiasm Derek lends his fantastic tours of Berlin. A graduate of modern history and former guide and authority on Dachau Memorial Concentration Camp, he is also a Third Reich Tour Guide, Bike Tour Guide and leads our Pub Tours - i.e. Jack of all trades! Take advantage of our multi tasking wonder, you'll be glad you did.
Gianluca
Comming soon!
GILES
Giles: has a keen interest in twentieth Century history and politics,
which formed components of his Master of Philosophy program at
Cambridge University. His background as a singer, giving him a commanding bass voice, and sports instructor provides the perfect mix for
marshalling tours in public places! A keen cyclist, he also plays trumpet
and the French horn, we are sure his tours will blow you away!
HEIKO
Heiko, has made revolutionary speeches at London's Speakers' Corner for many years. He lived in Berlin in 1988 and bribed his way into East Germany to become one of the only western participants in the revolution, publishing an illegal newspaper against the Stalinist regime. He was at the Brandenburg Gate on the day the Wall fell and his insider tour will leave you feeling as though you were there.
HELEN
Helen knew she'?d love Berlin long before she ever set foot in the city. She wasn'?t wrong. After her first visit she vowed she?'d return someday to pursue a career as a tour guide. And so it came to pass! Last winter Helen left one dream job making radio programmes for the BBC in Belfast to begin another one showing people around her favourite city in the world. This is just the latest addition to an eccentric CV that includes stints as a sheep doctor, club promoter, juggler and music journalist.
Helen's main passions in Berlin are the thriving music and arts scenes. She can also direct you towards some of the best Falafel joints in town. And if you catch her on the Berlin By Bike Tour you know you?'re safe hands because she actually assembled most of those cruisers all by herself!
JAMIE
Jamie: a Berliner of 6 years, but was born on the Isle of Wight.
An archaeologist, Jamie has recently finished his doctorate during which time he has not been distracted from his keen interest in frenetically digging up medieval Berlin, from bones to beer breweries. To top it off he has insider knowledge of recent key finds such as Goebbel's bunker having had access to its documentation. Jamie is one of the world's leading figures in research of the Greek and Roman empires and apart from answering all your HBO 'Rome' questions he is the guide to book for Berlin's staggering antique collections, from the Bust of Nefertiti to the Ishta Gates and Pergamon Alter.
JASON
Jason: is a published writer from the North of London, Southampton University history graduate and a seasoned guide of both London and Berlin. He came to Berlin three years ago in search of inspiration and due to his fascination with the city's Cold War history, and because his German girlfriend told him to, before she ran off to Sri Lanka! His love affair with the city remains strong however.
Jessica
Picture and full details soon!
KENNY
Kenny: our own Scottish Highlander all to ourselves! From the land
of blood sausage and fried mars bars, a journalist and writer by profession, Kenneth visited Berlin several years ago and like others hasn't been able to leave since, subsequently he's nearly finished the first chapter of his novel come tome. You might also see from our online guestbook that Kenny is already accomplished in terms of his guiding, he is a formidable historian, all be it of amateur enthusiasm, and one may say provides one of the world's best and detailed narratives of Europe's epic history in relation to Germany. He guides the Famous Insider Walk and the 3rd Reich Tour.
KURT
Kurt is a film maker by trade and has come to Berlin in development of his post production for the next blockbuster coming to a screen near you! In fact Kurt is also an extremely adept amateur historian, his ability at capturing pictures and putting them to film is similarly evident in connecting emotions, time and place together with the incredible history of this city. Kurt provides dynamic to a variety of tours: the Famous Insider Walk, Berlin by Bike and the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour.
MAISIE
Maisie: recently completed her masters in the history of art specializing
in cultural politics in Germany. She knows Berlin extremely well
having studied at the Free University here and became completely
passionate about it! Hence Maisie left behind a great job with the BBC
in London to share her enthusiastic and cheerful personality and
impressive knowledge with you leading tours you lucky things!
MIKE
Mike, is a native of Middle Earth i.e. New Zealand and has lived in Berlin for many years having met and married a former east German Belle. He has a degree in fine arts and is one of Berlin's most sought after guides due to his contagious enthusiasm and phenonanal ability to convey history with compassion and excitement. Joining the Berlin by Bike however is the one condition for partaking in his tour - as our lead bike guide it is indeed rare not to see him one!
NADAV
A postgraduate student of German politics and history, Nadav is not only well read but has had remarkable experiences having worked as a professional civil servant and a researcher at the Tel Aviv University. Nadav is your first address for Berlin?s Jewish and World War II history. Don´t be fooled by his laid back attitude, obsession with football and vast knowledge of Berlin´s best ice-cream parlours and chocolatiers. Nadav is zealous in sharing his acquaintance with Berlin´s recent and not-so-recent history.
NIGEL
Nigel: Scotsman, soldier, diplomat. During his military and diplomatic
career he served all over the world. He joined the Royal Scots
Dragoon Guards, served behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany,
performing covert intelligence gathering duties during the Cold War,
and interpreted at Spandau Prison for Rudolf Hess. He also served with
the famous Ist (US) Cavalry Division in Texas and with General Tommy
Franks in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
PABLO
Pablo worked in West Germany before he came to Berlin for a weekend. After the first few hours in the city he knew he was in trouble - soon thereafter he would be leaving Frankfurt and the world of highflying financial deals behind to lay his hat in his new to home to be. His natural curiosity and quick witted personality has provided for one of the most intriguing and eclectic mixes of history, politics, and social anecdotes portraying the way things were - his Spanish following is quite formidable, simply check out his guest book entries! Pablo also specializes in the history of Potsdam´s castles and gardens and even leads the Pub Crawl. Really - he's fantastic!
Pablo trabajaba en el oeste de Alemania y vino a visitar Berlín un fin de semana. A partir de ese momento supo que quería vivir en esta ciudad así que hizo las maletas y, dejando atrás el típico trabajo aburrido en el que se gana mucho dinero, se trasladó a Berlín. Desde entonces su pasión por la ciudad ha ido en aumento. Su curiosidad natural le hace conocer detalles de la historia de Berlín que hacen de su visita una de las más originales por la ciudad. Historia, política, anécdotas..todo ello mezclado con mucha simpatía. Si haces un tour con él ten cuidado porque es adictivo y no podrás dejarlo. Pablo es capaz de llevarte por la ciudad, hacerte soñar por los parques y castillos de Potsdam o sacarte de fiesta por la noche berlinesa en el Pub Crawl. En una palabra...Increible!!
Pablo trabajaba en el oeste de Alemania y vino a visitar Berlín un fin de semana. A partir de ese momento supo que quería vivir en esta ciudad así que hizo las maletas y, dejando atrás el típico trabajo aburrido en el que se gana mucho dinero, se trasladó a Berlín. Desde entonces su pasión por la ciudad ha ido en aumento. Su curiosidad natural le hace conocer detalles de la historia de Berlín que hacen de su visita una de las más originales por la ciudad. Historia, política, anécdotas..todo ello mezclado con mucha simpatía. Si haces un tour con él ten cuidado porque es adictivo y no podrás dejarlo. Pablo es capaz de llevarte por la ciudad, hacerte soñar por los parques y castillos de Potsdam o sacarte de fiesta por la noche berlinesa en el Pub Crawl. En una palabra...Increible!!
PEN
Pen is the Aussie belle of the Insider team. Originally she came to Berlin for 3 days. Those three days turned into three weeks... three months... three years... Now she's marrying a German and there's no going back! Pen has always been a history buff and after moving here she became ever more fascinated with the ramifications German history held for the world we live in today. With a background in both the performing arts and social sciences her tours fold together knowledge with energy and insight into Europe's most dynamic cultural hotspot with the insider perspective of having been part of it. Her enthusiasm and accessable presentation of Berlin's remarkable history make her one of our most sort after guides on both the Famous Walk and the important Sachsenhausen Memorial Tour. If she had a euro for every time someone had said they wished she had been their history teacher at school or university, she would be rich by now!
PHIL
Phillip is an American and a German national, raised in a bi-lingual home. A graduate from the University of Washington Seattle with a BA in International Studies (focus on Europe); he minored in German Area Studies. Phil has subsequently completed his Masters here in Berlin and has applied all his knowledge to you the lucky visitor. On top of all that Phil runs his own business called Caffe Roma back home! Our newest guide and allready reaping top guest feedback!
RENATE
Renate, our only Spanish-speaking German guide, has lived in Berlin for more than twenty years and has first-hand experience of the Berlin Wall and Cold War giving her an ‘Insider’ perspective few guides with her skills can match. After working as an engineer in the publishing business for many years, she decided to apply her profound knowledge of historical and modern Berlin and her Spanish language skills to a new line of work – guiding our wonderful Spanish speaking customers around Berlin! A true city woman, she has also lived and worked in Madrid, which has further enriched the Spanish-German dynamic of her tours.
Renate, nuestra única guía alemana que habla español, vive en Berlín desde hace más de veinte años, viviendo de primera mano la guerra fría y la caída del muro en Berlín. Después de trabajar muchos años como ingeniera en el mercado de la publicación, decidió aplicar sus conocimientos sobre la histórica y moderna Berlín para una nueva meta. Una auténtica chica de ciudad, que vivió y trabajó también en Madrid. Está encantada de trabajar para Insider Tours, enseñando su ciudad favorita a los visitantes. ¡Su entusiasmo y su amor por Berlín la convierten en una guía ideal!
Renate, nuestra única guía alemana que habla español, vive en Berlín desde hace más de veinte años, viviendo de primera mano la guerra fría y la caída del muro en Berlín. Después de trabajar muchos años como ingeniera en el mercado de la publicación, decidió aplicar sus conocimientos sobre la histórica y moderna Berlín para una nueva meta. Una auténtica chica de ciudad, que vivió y trabajó también en Madrid. Está encantada de trabajar para Insider Tours, enseñando su ciudad favorita a los visitantes. ¡Su entusiasmo y su amor por Berlín la convierten en una guía ideal!
SCOTT
Scott: a Michigan native, made it to New York City and now is a
Berliner by choice. Originally invited here by the German Academic
Exchange Service to research his dissertation on German Art, this
expatriate art historian has immersed himself in the cultural and political
life of the new capital and stayed ever since. As a postscript, Scott has recently completed his Phd and is now a bona fide Docktor! It should also be noted Scott is one of the leading authorities for post war German Art in the city and has lectured antiquities covering the Pergamon and Nefertiti periods making him an ideal candidate for such private tours.
TAMAR
Tamar is a postgraduate and a lecturer at the Humboldt University, whose family lived in Germany for centuries, before being forced by the Nazis to flee the country. Tamar came to study in Berlin some 5 years ago and fell in love with this vibrant city and its cultural and historical sites, many of which have a personal meaning for her. Her speciality is religion and society, so it might come as no surprise that she loves to share her intimate knowledge of Berlin´s Jewish history. Yet another unique and truly impressive guide Insider Tours is proud to present.
TOM
Tom: a Mid West charmer but also an old veteran of Berlin having
completed his Masters Degree in Political Science here. In his spare
time Tom lectures German and European history back in Ohio when
not performing his real job of guiding Insider Tours. His knowledge
and fresh zest for delivering facts and anecdotes has left a blazing
trail of great feedback and a European wide fan club. He guides the Famous Insider Walk, Berlin by Bike and our 3rd Reich Tours.
GUEST COMMENTS
Hannah And Neil, Wales,
June 7, 2020
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June 7, 2020
Did the tour with Derek yesterday and felt inclined to comment immediately - absolutely amazing,... read on
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You'll get to stand over the exact location of Hitler's Bunker, touch the Berlin Wall, pass through the intersection of Checkpoint Charlie and more!
An exciting and in-depth account of life in the GDR - from secret files, Stasi surveillance, State propaganda, daily work and life onto the collapse of the Stalinistic regime and fate of its key figures...
Sachsenhausen served as the administrative core of the entire holocaust, visit this harrowing place which served to execute the radical plans of racial extermination and genocide of large swathes of society the Nazis deemed unfit for life.