Over the past 6 decades, Berlin has been a crucially important crossroads in the history of Europe; one need only think, for example, of the famous Wall that divided the city from the post-World War II period to 1989, a form of limitation that has all too often overshadowed the priceless assets that the German capital possesses.
Today, however, Berlin is undoubtedly a much sought-after destination for tourists, especially those who travel by chartering a private jet: thanks to its international airport, it is possible to arrive in the city in no time at maximum comfort and flexibility and while enjoying the right amount of privacy thanks to the many services offered.
Home of electronic music, fashion, design, and avant-garde architecture that blends seamlessly with postwar ruins and historic buildings, Berlin attracts for its cosmopolitan and rather eccentric landscape, though imbued with a unique and inimitable blanket of austere.
But what are the main attractions in Berlin and what about more info on the aforementioned travel methodology?
Let's find out more in this article!
Historical and geographical background on Berlin
The German capital is located in the eastern part of Germany, about 70 km from the Polish border and in the Brandenburg region. The area over which its population center stretches is very large and vast, capable of winding from north to south in about 40 km of space; its center, however, is traversed by the Spera, a small waterway that bathes the central districts. In addition, Berlin is also located in a huge glacial valley that lies in the middle between the Barnim and Teltow plateau where the Großer Muggelberg, the highest elevation in the area, stands out. One of the first times one reads the word Berlin in history tomes is around the thirteenth century, a time when a small colony consisting mostly of fishermen and hunters founded an equally small settlement on the banks of the Spree. A few years later, the Hollenzollern family, which was in charge of the Brandenburg region at the time, built their residence in Berlin, declaring it the capital of the region. The wars perpetrated by opponents to the Pope against his supporters in the sixteenth century claimed many lives and brought a serious economic crisis to the city; not only that, in the seventeenth century the Thirty Years' War heavily damaged the city, forcing it to undertake considerable reconstruction work in the early seventeenth century. In the 19th century, Germany was occupied by Napoleon's troops, but this raised the innate patriotism of Berliners who made the city the headquarters of the German nationalist movement. At the outbreak of World War I, Germany almost immediately joined the Central Powers and was defeated by the Allies: this led to the formation of the Weimar Republic with the appointment of Hitler as Chancellor. In 1939, it was the latter that set the stage for the outbreak of World War II with the invasion of Poland, but it was not until 6 years later that Germany surrendered; Berlin was practically razed to the ground and divided into several zones by the USSR. In the 1960s, the German Democratic Republic had the Berlin Wall built to divide the western portion of the city from the eastern portion; in 1989, however, some citizens destroyed it, beginning the process that would lead to the unification of Germany. Today, Berlin is undoubtedly a cosmopolitan city that attracts tourists from all over the world for its countless open-air historical relics.
What to do and see in Berlin
Berlin Fashion Week
Among the best-known glamorous events the German capital hosts on an annual basis is undoubtedly Berlin Fashion Week, one of the world's fashion weeks not to be missed by fashion lovers. These are 7 very intense days because of the many runways and fashion shows organized by the world's leading high fashion brands such as Armani, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein, just to name a few, who use the occasion to present to the world the newest clothing items for the various seasons. Not only that, the event is also a great chance for young designers to express themselves and get noticed by the international market by telling their stories and proposing their unreleased creations; not surprisingly, there are many celebrities and international stars who attend the event, and, for this reason, the exclusive services designed for them range from the possibility of previewing the protagonists of the fashion shows to the opportunity to get to the event venue via private transfers.
The historical sites of Berlin
Berlin is brimming with historical attractions and monuments that bear witness to its celebrated past. One of the most famous is definitely the Brandenburg Gate, an imposing construction marvel of neoclassical architecture that is a popular tourist spot for travelers, as well as the Wall Memorial, the spot where it stood and celebrating the heroes who destroyed it, not to mention the incredible Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage point of the city where Germany's most important museum hubs such as the Altes, the Bode, the Neues or the Pergamon are located. More affluent tourists have the option of hiring private guides to fully immerse themselves in Berlin's atmosphere and learn more about its history.
Berlin's other glamorous events
Among the many events held in the German capital is the International Film Festival, an annual kermis where one can witness the debut of up-and-coming international filmmakers or the screening of numerous films in competition to receive the prestigious final prize. Also worth mentioning is the Air Show, another event that sets celebrates German aviation and the newest flight technologies employed, as well as Tanz im August, an occasion focused on contemporary dance featuring internationally renowned dancers. To attend these events, wealthy tourists can stay at the city's many luxury hotels such as the Bristol, which offers modern suites and limousine services, or the Ritz Carlton, a 5-star property known for its amenities and elegant suites.
Climate and best time to visit Berlin
Berlin has a very variable climate but still very cold in winter and mild in summer. Precipitation is not particularly abundant, but occurs year-round with no predilection toward some seasons rather than others. Spring is dominated by still very cool temperatures, but from mid-April we see the first seasonal warmth as temperatures rise to around 20°C. Days are mostly sunny although there is no shortage of a few thunderstorm showers and near-winter temperatures. A much cozier climate is had in summer, when temperatures settle into the 30s during daylight hours but drop considerably at night. In any case, the atmosphere in the city in summer is undoubtedly very lively thanks to the many events that are organized to take advantage of the warm weather. The autumn weather is rather moderate: sunny days and other gray days may occur with sometimes the first snowfall; however, temperatures average around 12°C. Berlin's winter is decidedly harsh, especially in January and February: polar currents are very cold, bringing temperatures down to as low as -10°C. The purely Christmas atmosphere, however, makes Berlin a true gem colored by a thousand lights and Christmas markets. The best time to charter a private jet to Berlin, however, is late spring during which the weather is pleasant and you can come across sunny days perfect for sightseeing the length and breadth of the city.
How and why to fly private to Berlin
The origins of Berlin Schonefeld International Airport (ICAO code EDDB) date back to the late 1940s, when a hub was built on the land in which it now stands for military purposes. After Soviet troops took possession of it during the war, the former airport was used to shelter farm machinery and railroads. It was not until the 1990s that the current facility was built to cope with the steadily increasing air traffic, building several terminals and, in recent years, also a dedicated 24-hour general aviation space. In it, those who charter a private jet have access to a range of premium amenities starting with exclusive VIP lounges, meeting areas, fast and detached check-in desks, expedited customs operations, free WiFi, stores, bars, restaurants, and an aircraft cleaning service. Not only that, Berlin Schonefeld Airport remains active for private flights day and night without any restrictions: its runway allows for departure or landing even in adverse weather conditions. In addition, cabs, rental cars, limousines and even a helicopter that can wait for the passenger directly on the taxiway can be used to reach the city center, which is about 20 kilometers from the airport.
How much does it cost to fly private to Berlin
Obviously, Berlin is very well connected with multiple European capitals such as London, which is about a 2-hour flight away; to cover this distance, you can hire a Light Jet at a cost of about 10,000€, a Medium Jet at about 17,000€ or a Large Jet at about 25,000€. Another very important destination in the European scene connected to Berlin is Barcelona, separated from the German capital by 2 hours and 45 minutes of flight time; a Light Jet is available for hire for €14,000, a Medium Jet for €24,000, and a Large Jet for €34,000. Slightly less distant is Milan Linate, one of the most important hubs in northern Italy from which to depart with a flight of about 1 hour and 45 minutes in the direction of Berlin; the rental cost for a Light Jet is €9,000, while those for a Medium Jet or Large Jet are €17,000 and €24,000, respectively.
The best jet to fly to Berlin
The Nextant 400 is one of the best performing light jets in terms of range, speed and comfort offered: the 7 passengers it accommodates can fly at 800 km/h counting on 3,000 km traveled on a single tank of fuel and a comfortable and spacious interior cabin. The Cessna Citation Sovereign, on the other hand, is a Medium Jet capable of carrying 9 passengers and flying at a speed exceeding 850 km/h; its range is up to 5,000 km, while its cabin is equipped with reclining leather seats, sofas and tables with which guests can make themselves comfortable and enjoy the flight. Unbelievable parameters are reached with the Bombardier Global 6000, a Large Jet that consists of as many as 14 seats: this is an aircraft capable of approaching 950 km/h top speed and about 8000 km traveled on a single fuel tank, as well as a huge cabin that offers unprecedented comfort to passengers!
The most frequent flights to and from Berlin
Below of the most frequent links to Berlin:
