we went on this tour with mike and we were all impressed with mike's knowledge and his passion.mike was a very clear speaker and explaned this in such detail we were breath-taken with what this guy knows.thank you mike we enjoyed every minute of the tour

Excellent tour, Maria is an encyclopedia of information who took us at a comfortable pace through many Nazi sites; she answered everyone's questions and listened to their comments with interest. She added many funny anecdotes along the way. Both she and Jamie are interesting, friendly, likable guides.

I had not much time to visit berlin. I took the chance to visit it with the insider tours. And my guide was Jamie. It's been a really interesting tour and i saw almost everything i wanted to view. Jamie is a passionate and well informed guide. He is also fair on the historical point of view. i really suggest you this tour and this guide in particular.

This profoundly powerful tour took place on a freezing, windy day with bright sunshine; a day of contrast, a day when standing outside for 10 minutes made us shiver. Jamie was so knowledgeable about the history of the site, beginning by evoking the impending storm of war, describing the post WW1 context, in-fighting in the Weimar republic, and Hitler's promise of order. As it was described we walked toward the site, and it was as though that context was gaining on us like an enourmous cloud, a black brooding presence that we knew had a single conclusion. As we walked passed the old SS baracks and turned into the main camp gate itself , the horror too arrived, silent, numbing and wholly unavoidable. Jamie walked us though the lives of the prisoners, their routines, conditions and hieracrhies, their treatment and the crushing of their spirit. I was surprised that such a place had an infirmary, that new arrivals were greeted by the sight of flowered borders and swans on the commandant's pond, and that the horrific brutality was both administered in so calculated a way and that it began directly on arrival. There was so much information, so well delivered with balance and force, and from questions asked as we walked, Jamie clealry had much more he could tell us if we had the time! He gave us one image I will particularly remember. As we stood in that biting January wind inside the camp gate and beneath the all-seeing machine-gun nest, he described how the whole camp would often have to do the same. On one particular occasion in temperatures of minus 20 wearing a thin coat, if they were lucky, but frequently just work clothes, the whole camp stood stock still like this, for twenty-four hours.... Say that slowly to yourself. You need to take this tour.

This was a marvelous, memorable tour and I would recommend it anyone. Nigel is a first class guide, full of fascinating and valuable information and a real pleasure to listen to - for his clarity, illustrative & anecdotal details, good humour, knowledge, unflagging enthusiasm...I could go on...We were a group of several different nationalities and he held all our intense interest for in excess of 5 hrs. on a cold, wet wintry Berlin day - quite an achievement. As a former professional lecturer I have nothing but admiration & cannot remember when I last spent 5 hrs so profitably: I am trying not to gush, it was just terrific; and as an added bonus, Nigel's first hand military (and other!) experience added real authenticity to the things he said. My time in Berlin was too short and I plan to return, when I do there will be at two more Insider Tours (at least) on the top of my list of things to do. One last thing; it is clear that others have had the same sort of experience as we did; obviously someone at Insider Tours is doing a first rate job in finding & engaging Nigel and the other lecturer/guides to lead the tours.

I was most impressed with Michael’s knowledge and specifics for “Iron Curtain” tour. His humoresque approach to storytelling of the Berlin Wall and it’s many other idiosyncrasies were most enjoyable and educational. I would certainly recommend this tour with Insider.

I had pre-booked a day tour to Dresden while on vacation in Berlin, but when I called to confirm, I was informed that Dresden is not an available choice in the winter months. I was hesitant to take the Sachsenhousen tour, but I am glad I did. Maria was a great tour guide, very professional with her knowledge and storytelling methodology. Her humor at times made the entire experience confortable and easy to follow. Maria's knowledge was impressive, and even thought she admitted that it is a bit depressing the theme, the world must never forget, but learn from history. My overall experience with the Sachenhausen C.C. was unique, pleasant, and educational. I will most definitely book another walking tour with Insider Tours next time I re-visit Berlin.

Had a weekend getaway to Berlin with my twin sister, and we signed up for the "famous walk" to explore Berlin and get some history. We were assigned a tour guide - TAREK, who led us and about 30 others throughout Berlin for the following 4+ hours. Though I'm sure every tour guide is brilliant in their own way - I would insist on doing a tour with Tarek if one is ever to find themselves in Berlin. Out of all the countries total my twin sister and I have travelled to (50+) and tours/guides we've encountered -- Tarek was/is in his own league and stands out above the rest. Humor, insight, and intelligence abound -- he has an extremely social, extroverted personality and one of the widest ranges of vocabulary I've ever heard. He is a walking talking encyclopedia! His knowledge is daunting - yet he has a gift for sharing it and communicating it with others in a way which is accessible, understandable and very interesting. The weather ended up getting rainy and extremely cold -- yet everyone still stuck around.. a testament to how captivating Tarek is and all of the history he had to share with us. Though my twin and I were happy to get somewhere warm following the tour, in many ways we wish the day didn't end... we would have continued trekking throughout Berlin (and many others I'm sure!) just to keep lapping up everything he shared. Additionally, Tarek had a really great flavor in his tour, in that he not only shared insights and information, but also, he often quizzed us, to keep us on our toes. He always had an encouraging response when people asked questions and he welcomed them, and the personal stories he shared of his culture/family and Berlin really took the tour to another level. Basically - Tarek was not only the best tour guide we've encountered yet.. but he was literally, the highlight of the trip! Visited December 2011

Me and my wife Ivana choose the Third Reich Tour, and fortunately we had Maria as our guide. During the walk she shared her passion and enthusiasm for history putting attention to all the small details that made this experience outstanding. Then she took us to Mohrenstrase Subway station to see the claddings made by the red limestone from the interior of Adolf Hitler's Reich Chancellery. At the half of the walk we visited the Bendlerblock, the center of military resistance to the Hitler and the Nazi regime and where Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and all members of the failed attempt to kill Hitler were executed by firing squad that same night in the courtyard of the building. We strongly recommend insidertour to have a different and more genuine view about the city and if you have Maria as your guide, it will be your lucky day in Berlin.

I just wanted to thank Simone SO so much and her crew of Guides! They helped me get my husband back safe during the crawl. He was having a severe case of PTSD due to all of the fireworks and they were able calm him down through it and help us along. If it weren't for Simone and her crew, I don't know how I would have made it through. Thank you again so very much! I love you guys. Happy New Year!