Updated on January 27th, 2026
The first week of November 2025 offered a unique blend of professional commitment and historical exploration during my almost week-long stay in Berlin. While my primary focus included meetings with universities, specifically GISMA University, the University of Europe, ISM University, and EIIET. My partner, Rajni, was busy attending the ICEF event. I was fortunate enough to carve out 2-3 precious free days to wander through one of Europe’s most interesting cities. It was not the first time I had been there. I travelled to Berlin 2-3 times earlier as well. It’s not possible to explore this city in one trip. Exploring Berlin feels like walking through a living story. Every street blends history with bold, modern energy. From iconic monuments to quiet cafes, the city never slows down.
The Business of Berlin and Finding Quiet Corners
During this trip, I split my time between intense university meetings and quick moments with Rajni, which made those free days a pleasant memory. For anyone visiting Berlin, I feel two days is certainly not enough time to explore everything. In my opinion, the key is finding a mix of tourist activities, museums, and local neighbourhoods to gain a well-rounded picture of the city.
Most of my explorations focused on the area surrounding Budapester Straße in Berlin, which naturally led me into the lovely and peaceful neighborhood of Charlottenburg. This area, renowned for its impressive architecture, is an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat. It also puts you conveniently close to the Berlin Zoo, very near to the Hotel Intercontinental, where ICEF hosts a workshop in the first week of every November.
Green Spaces and Grandeurs
My time around Budapester Straße meant that the immense green heart of the city, the Tiergarten, became my primary escape. It’s Berlin’s green heart, a huge natural oasis in the midst of the city’s political and historical core. Some time back in history, it was a hunting area. Now it’s developed as a green park. Several key Berlin attractions are either inside or adjacent to it.
Within the park, one can easily find landmarks like the Soviet War Memorial and the Victory Column. After extensive walking, one could find a welcome break at the Tea House or the Café am Neunen, which has a beer garden right on the edge of the lake.
Kurfürstendamm (often called Ku’damm) is one of Berlin’s most famous boulevards—stylish, lively, and full of character. Kurfürstendamm shines with luxury stores, cafés, and classic Berlin charm. A perfect street for slow walks, window-shopping, and people-watching. Here, I spent a few visits in my free and relaxing time. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church stands here as a reminder of history. Surrounded by modern life, it remains peaceful and deeply moving.
Visit to the University campus in Berlin & Potsdam
After the ICEF workshop concluded, they planned a trip to the university campuses of GISMA University & University of Europe in Potsdam, near Berlin, where we saw university programs and students’ activities. I also visited the campuses of ISM University & EIIET, both in Berlin. EIIET, another good institute, offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Tourism & Recreation. They also have MBA programs. It was a great & inspiring meeting with Dr Jay Thakur at the campus.
Tasting the Berlin’s Diversity
One of the highlights of Berlin is its incredible diversity of culture, food, and people. The sources note that Berlin is truly a melting pot, more so than many other European cities. Whether you are looking for world-class dining or quick street food like a doner kebab, Berlin caters to all tastes.
While exploring, I was keen to try local recommendations. A quintessential Berlin experience is trying Currywurst—a concoction of sausage, fries, and ketchup topped with curry powder. The sources specifically point toward Witty’s Currywurst, noting they offer organic and gluten-free sausages, with chips fried in a dedicated fryer. I tried it two or three times during the entire week. You will find their street eateries everywhere in the city.
For coffee enthusiasts, Berlin’s coffee scene is highly regarded. I definitely wanted to make a stop at a renowned spot like The Barn, which has locations all over Berlin, including a popular roastery in Mitte. The roastery location has a brew bar, and they can prepare coffee in almost any way you want, which is rare in Germany. People also widely praised Five Elephant Coffee in Kreuzberg, and it lived up to the hype, often citing it as one of the best cafes in Berlin. Five Elephant is a well-known coffee brand from Berlin. They have multiple cafés in the city, including Mitte. It started in Kreuzberg and is famous for high-quality, ethically sourced coffee.
Coffee at Einstein Kaffee Rosterei
One morning in Berlin, Rajni Singh and I set out for a long walk, hoping to find the perfect café to sit, relax, and enjoy a comforting cup of coffee. After exploring a few streets and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere around us, we finally arrived at Einstein Kaffee, located at Alexanderplatz 3, Berlin. The café welcomed us with its warm, inviting ambience — large windows, soft lighting, and the comforting aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans.
Einstein Kaffee is one of Berlin’s well-loved local chains, known for its high-quality coffee, in-house roasts, and a calm, cosy setting that makes it ideal for unwinding.
We spent a quiet, unhurried morning there, sipping our coffee while Berliners and travellers drifted past the windows. It was the kind of place where time softened and slipped away without notice — a space meant for lingering, for reading a few extra pages, for conversations that didn’t need to end, or for simply watching the rhythm of Berlin move by. Our visit to Einstein Kaffee became one of those gentle, memorable moments that add warmth to a journey, even without a single photograph to capture it. Some experiences, we realised, are meant to be carried only in memory.
An Evening View and Final Thoughts
As the sun set on my final free day, I decided to find a spot to reflect on the week. A recommendation for a lovely rooftop bar is the Monkey Bar, which overlooks the zoo, the Tiergarten, and the Berlin city lights. Although noted as expensive, it seems like the perfect place to snap some photos and sip a cocktail while thinking over the trip highlights. Monkey Bar is a rooftop bar in Berlin, located on the 10th floor of the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin.
Overall, Berlin proved to be an incredibly rewarding city. My trip, necessitated by business, provided the bonus of exploring neighbourhoods like Charlottenburg and enjoying the immense, restorative green space of the Tiergarten. It’s a city that effortlessly blends a deep, fascinating historical context with interesting, walkable neighbourhoods, ensuring there is truly something for everyone.
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2 Comments
— Berlin is a great city for a romantic couples’ trip, with a mix of history, nature, nightlife, and cozy hidden spots. Here’s a guide focused on business meetings and loving moments in Berlin. Keep writing more. 🌹💫✨
The city’s blend of efficiency and charm makes it surprisingly easy to mix business with those sweet, “uncaptured” moments. Thanks for sharing your. experiences in Berlin.