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| Make yourself at home in Berlin with Unscene Tours |
I can recall going on my first city break to Paris when I was in my early 20's. Just like today, I was into underground techno parties and dive bars but I didn't know anyone in Paris who could find those sorts of things and I wasn't all that keen to explore potentially dangerous areas on my own. Reaching the centre of town, faced by McDonalds' and glitzy bars dotted with flickering candles and couples trying to live out cliched Hollywood fantasies, I just knew I wasn't going to find a venue where I'd want to spend my money or people I'd have a good time with. But if not there then where? I only had two days to spend. Time was of the essence.
Luckily, on that first day, a dark-skinned Parisien with curly, mad hair rollerbladed into (yes, into) the restaurant where I was sitting and sat down at the table next to mine. I got talking to him and he told me all about his Paris: where he thought the best techno club was, which areas to avoid, where to catch your breath in the middle of the crowds. He showed me around the centre and took me to some out of the way bar that looked like a living room. I'd shown countless new acquaintances and old friends around London and Berlin before, but I'd never realised what a difference that it makes. Alain's* little 'tour' of Paris was a gift. It left me with unique memories of the city that I'll never forget.
Would I have paid for such a service if it was available? Damn straight. When you enjoy going off the beaten track, getting smart, up-to-date advice from a local saves you all kinds of unnecessary hitches and costs. That goes double when you're in a country where you don't know the language. You don't want to end up spending all your cash at, say, a traditional Berlin beer hall instead of a punk gig, just because it's the only nightspot you can find. You don't want to end up at the Matrix listening to Europop when you were hoping for drum n' bass. You do want to get in touch with the part of the city you'd call your own if you actually lived here. And you want it to blow your mind, at least just a little bit, by showing you something new and unexpected. Or at least that's what I'd want, and I assume you've ended up on this page because you want roughly the same thing.
Would I have paid for such a service if it was available? Damn straight. When you enjoy going off the beaten track, getting smart, up-to-date advice from a local saves you all kinds of unnecessary hitches and costs. That goes double when you're in a country where you don't know the language. You don't want to end up spending all your cash at, say, a traditional Berlin beer hall instead of a punk gig, just because it's the only nightspot you can find. You don't want to end up at the Matrix listening to Europop when you were hoping for drum n' bass. You do want to get in touch with the part of the city you'd call your own if you actually lived here. And you want it to blow your mind, at least just a little bit, by showing you something new and unexpected. Or at least that's what I'd want, and I assume you've ended up on this page because you want roughly the same thing.
That is where our tours come in. With years' worth of experience in Berlin's streets, clubs, free parties, festivals, bars, cafes and eateries, we've got plenty of resources to help us find the things that resonate with you - even if they're only known to locals or 'advertised' by word of mouth. And by the same token, we aim to bring your custom to businesses that are doing things you want to support. That way, your money helps sustain them until the next time you're in town.
Berlin is a massive city and in my honest opinion, most of its best parts are hidden behind ramshackle doorways in darkened streets. Sure, you'll find it all eventually - if you have several weeks to spare - but otherwise you'll need advice from a local. That's where Unscene Tours steps in.
*names changed to protect privacy
