Discover Berlin: A Music, Arts & Culture Journey
October 25 – November 2, 2026
Berlin isn’t just a city—it’s a living canvas of history, creativity, and world‑class performance. This unforgettable week‑long adventure invites you to experience Germany’s capital through its music, museums, cuisine, and cultural landmarks. From intimate cabaret stages to grand opera houses, from poignant memorials to palatial Prussian estates, this is Berlin at its most inspiring.
Day-by-Day Highlights (Order of Events Subject to Change)
Note: This trip requires moderate walking up to 1.5 miles (35 minutes). Alternatively, participants can pool together to call either an Uber or taxi to get you from Point A to Point B. Everybody will have a Berlin Welcome Card, which allows you to have unlimited bus and U-bahn transportation for the entire trip.
Sunday, October 25-Auf Wiedersehen Ohio
We bid Ohio farewell as we converge at Cleveland Hopkins Airport to begin our overseas adventure. We depart at 2:00 pm on United Airlines for a short flight to Newark, New Jersey. We will transfer to our international gate for a scheduled 6:50 pm flight to Berlin. Sit back, relax and enjoy the friendly skies as we head eastbound.
Monday, October 26 – Willkommen in Berlin
Your journey begins with a smooth arrival at BER Airport at 7:55 am. After collecting your luggage, we will transfer to the elegant four-star NH Collection Berlin Mitte, perfectly located for exploring the city’s vibrant heart.
After settling in, enjoy a relaxed afternoon stroll through the neighborhood before gathering for a welcome dinner at Zur letzten Instanz, Berlin’s oldest restaurant—where centuries of stories meet hearty German cuisine.
Tuesday, October 27 – Berlin’s Stories & Cabaret Magic
After enjoying a hearty buffet breakfast, we will walk to the Jewish Museum Berlin, a powerful and architecturally stunning exploration of Jewish life and culture.
In the afternoon, we’ll settle onto a private coach with a knowledgeable local guide for a panoramic introduction to Berlin. This curated tour highlights the city’s most iconic neighborhoods, landmarks, and stories, offering a rich and engaging orientation to Berlin’s complex history and vibrant present.
As evening falls, we will make our way by public transport to BAR JEDER VERNUNFT, where you will step into a legendary cabaret tent where Berlin’s artistic soul comes alive through music, performance, and old‑world charm. Enjoy dinner and a performance by Sven Ratzke, the Dutch/German singer, entertainer, and actor who was hailed by Time Out Magazine as “one of the best cabaret performers of his generation.” After the show, we will make our way back to the hotel for a peaceful night of sleep.
Wednesday, October 28 – A Day of Reflection & Royal Splendor
Following breakfast, we will travel north by motorcoach to Sachsenhausen, one of the most significant memorial sites in Germany, for a deeply moving and educational experience.
We will continue to Potsdam to explore the Marble Palace and the breathtaking Sanssouci Palace, Frederick the Great’s rococo masterpiece.
The evening is yours to unwind, dine, and explore Berlin at your own pace.
Thursday, October 29 – Art, Memory & Free Time
Following breakfast, we will walk over to the Topography of Terror Museum, located on the former Gestapo headquarters site, offering essential insight into the mechanisms of Nazi terror.
Lunch at Beba in the Gropius Bau—an artistic hub where food, design, and culture intersect—sets the tone for a relaxed afternoon to explore galleries, shop, or simply enjoy Berlin’s café culture. We will also enjoy a live mini concert during our buffet lunch, which will feature fresh and delicious Mediterranean/Levantine cuisine with a focus on Jewish diaspora dishes.
Following lunch, continue to enjoy exploring the vibrant Mitte district on your own. Make your way back to the hotel at your leisure and spend the evening exploring independently at your own pace.
Friday, October 30 – Nature, Canals & Grand Opera
After breakfast, we will escape to the enchanting Spreewald, a UNESCO biosphere reserve known for its serene waterways and traditional villages. A boat tour reveals a quieter, pastoral side of Germany. We will also experience the car-free village of Lehde and will visit a famous pickle store, where you will have the opportunity to sample the delicious Spreewald gherkins. Lunch on the boat is included.
Return to Berlin refreshed and ready for an evening at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, one of Europe’s premier opera houses, for a world‑class performance. (Note that we will find out the performance schedule in late spring).
Saturday, October 31 – Museum Island & Symphony Night
Spend the morning on Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to five extraordinary museums. Whether you’re drawn to ancient civilizations, classical sculpture, or 19th‑century masterpieces, this is a cultural treasure trove.
After a leisurely afternoon, enjoy an evening with the Rundfunk‑Sinfonieorchester Berlin, one of Germany’s most distinguished orchestras. (Like the Opera, we will find out the performance schedule in late spring).
Sunday, November 1 – Democracy, Memory & Medieval Feasting
After another wonderful buffet breakfast, we will begin with a visit to the Reichstag, the seat of German democracy, crowned by its iconic glass dome.
A guided stroll through the surrounding historic district brings you to the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, the Tiergarten, and more.
The afternoon is your last opportunity to soak in the vibrancy of Berlin on your own, do some shopping, explore some markets, savor a local beer and relax. Return to the hotel to recharge your batteries, freshen up, and head together as a group by public transportation for our farewell dinner.
Celebrate your final evening with a festive dinner at Tafelrunde Medieval Restaurant, where music, atmosphere, and hearty fare transport you back in time.
Monday, November 2 – Farewell, Berlin
Enjoy a final breakfast before your early transfer to BER Airport. The flight departs at 9:55 am and arrives in Newark at 1:10 pm. You will have plenty of time to transfer to the domestic flight, which departs at 4:00 pm, with arrival in Cleveland at 5:40 pm.
Depart with unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a deeper connection to Berlin’s artistic and cultural heartbeat.
Why This Trip Is Unmissable
- World‑class performances at two of Berlin’s premier music institutions
- Powerful historical experiences that deepen understanding and connection
- Architectural and artistic masterpieces from Prussian palaces to modern museums
- Curated dining that blends tradition, creativity, and local flavor
- A perfect balance of guided exploration and free time
This is more than a trip—it’s a cultural immersion designed for travelers who want to feel, hear, taste, and truly experience Berlin.
$4,900 total price. Pay in full now or…
$2,450 deposit due no later than April 1.
$2,450 balance due no later than May 15
The trip is capped at 30 people, so book immediately to avoid disappointment, as ORMACO trips sell out quickly. You can either pay in full with a check made out to ORMACO, with Berlin in the memo line, or you can break your payments into two amounts. The first half is due on April 1, 2026; the balance is due on or before May 15, 2026. You can pay the full amount up front.
For more information and questions, call ORMACO Executive Director Thomas Sigel on 419-853-6016, or email him at tsigel@ormaco.org.