Every experience with Berlin Private Tours is designed to be unique and every guest can expect to have their perceptions of Berlin transformed.  Penelope Hassmann is an Australian who knows from personal experience how addictive Berlin can become, having lived in Berlin for a decade and marrying a native.  After casting aside her initial preconceptions of the city she undertook a personal journey to understand the fascinating contrasts of her new home, along the way being swept away by the history, culture and natural beauty of Berlin.  During this process she discovered an enduring passion helping others to see beyond the usual facade of the city and became a sought after personal guide, eventually founding her own company several years ago, Berlin Private Tours.
 
Penelope offers an exclusive touring service; by avoiding generic, scripted routes she is able to work to the needs of the client, providing a flexible and above all, highly engaging itinerary.  She operates all year round, as Berlin is always fascinating and has more than enough to offer regardless of the season (or the weather!)  Although she believes Berlin is best seen by foot to truly immerse yourself in the city, a car and driver service is also available upon request for those clients who prefer to be driven.  She ensures that each of her clients leaves with an understanding of Berlin's history and rich cultural heritage, its secrets and most importantly, the surprises it has to offer.  Over the years Penelope has also assembled a small team of exclusive guides who are available to tour with clients when she is already personally booked and who also offer guiding services in other languages.
 
 
A Unique Experience
Over the centuries, Berlin has been forged by contrasts, and Penelope offers her guests the opportunity to look behind the many façades of the city.  Berlin Private Tours offers a recommended list of fantastic itineraries, but these are customised to suit your level of interest, available time and travel itinerary.  Penelope offers numerous possibilities, such as the Berlin’s Greatest Stories tour (the perfect orientation for newcomers) for those with a desire to learn more about Berlin’s tempestuous past.  The Dark Times: Hitler’s Berlin tour traces the rise and downfall of the Nazi regime, trying to tease apart the complexity of Germany’s darkest days.  The Jewish Heritage experience uncovers notable relics of the city’s Jewish heritage as well as taking in many smaller backstreet sites and sharing the stories of Berlin’s longstanding Jewish history. 
 
The Divided City: Life behind the Iron Curtain explores the ‘battleground’ that was the Berlin Wall; learn how the wall not only divided a country, but separated families, and segregated lives.  This is incredibly recent history where the scars are still highly visible.  West Berlin, the Forgotten Frontier, shifts the focus west as East Berlin is often seen to be at the forefront of the city’s history, but the west has its own stories to tell.  For visitors eager to learn more of the secret side to the city, the Off the Beaten Track itinerary heads away from the tourist heavy sites and instead explores everyday life in Berlin’s districts, showcasing a side of Berlin many tourists never get to experience.  And the Woman’s Perspective experience addresses Berlin's phenomenal history from the viewpoint of the women behind the power.  Who were the women who stood in the shadows of these massive events, and what are their stories?  These are fascinating and little-told perspectives on Berlin’s incredible past.
 
With such a range of information on offer, a key part of Penelope's service is understanding her clients’ needs and tailoring their guided experience to help them get the most out of their time in Berlin.

For more information, contact Penelope on:
Tel: +49 1577 386 9956
Email: info@berlinprivatetours.com

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