Spring has sprung: it's staycation season
Things to do over the long weekend and how to travel in April
It’s the small things keeping me going at the moment. The smell of freshly cut grass, that first cup of coffee, the warmth of the early spring sun on my face, and the numerous snacks piled up on my desk. Travelling in Germany might seem like a distant dream, but it is coming back and I - for one - am excited.
So to help get you excited, too, here’s your monthly dose of COVID-regulation-compatible adventures (including how to have overnight stays), with the hope I can make you smile this Easter weekend.
Happy reading.
Emily
Giveaway: a free night's stay at The Circus Hotel.
Now’s the time to become a member of The Staycation Collection…
The Circus Hotel is one of my favourite hotels in Berlin. They did a complete renovation in 2020 and the rooms and atmosphere are better than ever before.
I love the beautifully eclectic decor, think bright prints, animal statues and deep colours, which come together to create a warm, relaxing environment. Plus the staff are incredibly warm, welcoming and knowledgeable.
The competition is open to members only (there’s still time to sign up: membership costs €9 a month or €89 a year). Enter by Sunday 4 April. The winner will be picked using a random generator and announced on Monday 5 April. Full T&Cs on the website.
Easter weekend activity inspiration.
Have you run out of ways to explore Berlin? Fear not, from beautiful cherry blossoms to lesser-known architecture, we have ideas for you.
On my morning walk, I noticed that the flowers on the Japanese cherry blossom trees around Mauerpark are beginning to emerge. To me, there’s nothing that signals the start of the sunny days like these delicate pink and white flowers.
Did you know that the cherry blossom trees in Berlin are actually 100% Japanese? The Sakura Campaign was initiated, just after the wall fell, by a Japanese TV station called Asahi TV. The aim was to get the people of Japan to donate money to buy Berlin thousands of cherry trees (sakura) as a celebration of German reunification: the donation meant it was possible to plant over 9000 cherry blossom trees in the city.
On the blog there’s a rundown of the best places in Berlin to see the cherry blossoms, including:
Mauerweg (Lichterfelde): 1,100 cherry blossom trees were planted at the former Totestreifen (death strip), which was renamed TV-Asahi-Kirschblütenallee (pictured).
Bornholmer Straße (Prenzlauer Berg): 215 trees have been planted along Norwegerstraße up to Wollankstraße.
Glienicker Brücke (Wannsee): in November 1990, the first cherry trees from Japan were planted here.
We spoke to friend of The Staycation Collection Monika Kanokova, a lover of Berlin, bikes and architecture. She published a pocket-sized travel guide to Berlin’s architecture, where she shares some of her insider tips, anecdotes, stories and a little bit of Berlin’s history. Below are some highlights, and you can read the full blog here.
Siemensstadt: Architects such as Karl Janisch, Hans Christoph Hertlein, Walter Gropius, and Hans Scharoun were involved in the project over time.
Corbusierhaus: Corbusier’s disappointment of how Berlin’s authorities modified his designs made him distance himself from the building.
Olympisches Dorf Elstal: Officially, this Olympic Village was built to accommodate athletes for the Olympic Games in 1936. However, this project was so much more than just temporary architecture for a global event...
How to travel in April: take a workcation.
Business trips are legally allowed. We'd recommend you go on a strategy trip to get some creative space and increase your productivity...
Mosel Chalets (Rhineland-Palatinate).
Mosel Chalets is run by a family who has designed and built warm, relaxing houses with strikingly beautiful modern design. Mosel Chalets, three architecturally beautiful cabins on the longest southern slope of the Mosel River, are the perfect place to restore your energy. Book your workcation now >
Coconat Coworking Retreat (Brandenburg).
Imagine a manor house with an expansive garden, a swimming pond, a sauna, upcycled furniture, a piano and fireplaces. This isn’t the first image that springs to mind when considering work, but this is exactly what you’ll find in the tiny Brandenburg village of Klein Glien. Members of The Staycation Collection get 25% off their stays. Book your workcation now >
Trainmaster's House (Brandenburg).
Waking up to the sound of the trees blowing through the wind and bird song in the air is how I wish I could start every day, and it’s for this reason - amongst many others - that I fell in love with the Trainmaster’s House. Members of The Staycation Collection get a free gift on arrival. Book your workcation now >
Hi, I’m Emily and you’ve been reading The Staycation Collection’s free monthly newsletter.
The Staycation Collection is based on the principle of slow, sustainable and responsible tourism, and exists to help you discover the beautiful corners of Germany. Think Airbnb meets travel agency meets the lonely planet. We operate as a membership platform and provide members with a curated collection of Germany’s most beautiful, special places to stay and provide information on what to do while there.
For more travel inspiration, head over to the website.