These posts are placeholders for an upcoming European adventure that’s currently in the works. Beginning June 3rd, we will be backpacking across 33 cities in Europe over the course of three months, an experience we’re incredibly excited to share.
Along the way, we will be reviewing AI-generated itineraries in real time—putting them to the test and sharing what works, what doesn’t, and how they stack up against the reality on the ground. You can expect regular updates as the journey unfolds, with insights, tips, and firsthand experiences from each stop.
Once we’re back home, we’ll expand the blog with a wider range of content, including in-depth guides, recommendations, and reflections from the full trip. Be sure to check back often because we will be updating along the way and bringing you along for every step of the adventure!
explore it yourself:
The journey and accomModations:
We arrived by train from Amsterdam on the late morning of June 16th and stayed until the morning of June 19th. We arrived in and departed from Berlin Central Station.
Below is what AI recommended for accommodations:
1. a&o Berlin Hauptbahnhof
2. MEININGER Hotel Berlin East Side Gallery
3. Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz
4. The Circus Hostel
5. easyHotel Berlin
We ended up selecting an easyHotel Berlin here, because of the price.
Note: * our additions to ai itinerary
Day 1: Berlin's Historic Core
Brandenburg Gate & Tiergarten
Coffee Stop: Cuccuma Berlin (near Potsdamer Platz)
- Brandenburg Gate – Iconic Berlin landmark
- Reichstag Building – Book in advance to access the glass dome for panoramic views
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – Powerful and sobering
- Walk through Tiergarten (Berlin’s Central Park)
Hackescher Markt & Monbijoupark
- We skipped all of the following, but AI recommended 1 or 2 of the following:
Pergamon Museum– Ancient artifacts (partial closure: check ahead)Neues Museum– Home to the bust of NefertitiAltes MuseumorBode Museum– For art & sculpture lovers
- Walk along Unter den Linden boulevard
- Berlin Cathedral (climb the dome for great views)
- Explore Hackescher Höfe – Art Nouveau courtyards with shops and street art
- Optional: Visit
DDR Museum(hands-on East German history) - Monbijoupark*
- Strandbar Mitte*
Dinner & Spa
- Dinner at
- Zur Letzten Instanz – Berlin’s oldest restaurant (since 1621)
- OR House of Small Wonder – Cozy, green and hidden brunch/dinner spot
- Vabali Spa*
Day 2: Berlin Wall, Street Art, & Local Culture
History & Reflection
- Jewish Museum Berlin – Striking architecture & powerful exhibitions
- OR Topography of Terror – Former Gestapo HQ turned documentation center
- Optional coffee stop before/after: Café Ora
Kreuzberg & Hidden Gems
- Walk along the Landwehr Canal
- Explore Bergmannkiez – Boho shops, book cafés & record stores
- Markthalle Neun – Indoor market with amazing local eats (especially Thursdays)
- Lunch at BRLO Brwhouse (great food & house brewed beer, near Potsdamer Platz)
Berlin Wall & East Side (Friedrichshain)
- East Side Gallery – 1.3 km open-air gallery
- Oberbaum Bridge – Iconic red-brick bridge
- Optional: RAW-Gelände – Street art, skateparks & alternative vibe
- Badeschiff* & Bite Club @ Arena (has food)
- Dinner at Michelberger Hotel Restaurant
Day 3: Charlottenburg & the Western Side
Charlottenburg Palace & Gardens
- Tour the Charlottenburg Palace – opulent baroque residence
- Stroll through Schlossgarten (palace gardens)
- Coffee: Benedict Berlin – excellent all-day breakfast and coffee
City West & Kurfürstendamm
- Visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (WWII ruins + modern chapel)
- Shop or browse KaDeWe – continental Europe’s largest department store
- Walk along Kurfürstendamm (upscale shopping street)
- Lunch at Neuer See*
- Optional: Victory Column (Siegessäule) – Tower climb with park views
Tempelhofer Feld and Dinner
Berlin Zoo & Aquarium– World-class, near Tiergarten- Tempelhofer Feld – Explore the abandoned airport turned park (rent bikes or picnic)
- Dinner at
- Nobelhart & Schmutzig – Michelin-starred & hyper-local
- OR Prater Garten – Traditional beer garden experience
final thoughts:
Overall Rating:
Would I go again?
Favorite moment:
Bailey’s favorite:
Parker’s favorite:
Any surprises?
Anything we missed?
How did ai do?
Nailed it: We’ll add our thoughts here after our trip!
Needs work: