Below, I’m sharing the tweet that finally convinced me to take the plunge and book our very first Groupon Holiday. I’ve always been skeptical about the deals offered there, often wondering if they were too good to be true or possibly scams—just like many others, I’m sure! However, I can happily say that my experience has been surprisingly positive.
Yes, I know the tweet mentions Wowcher, but I opted for Groupon instead because I could use discount codes to bring the price down. Originally priced at £218, I managed to reduce it to £198 by applying an online discount code I found.
Although the specific deal I booked has expired, there’s currently another offer available for those interested in giving it a try after reading this post.
It doesn’t really matter whether you purchase your holiday through Wowcher or Groupon; it’s the same company, Weekender-Breaks.
How does it work?
To complete your booking, you’ll need to purchase two vouchers. The bookings are fulfilled by Weekender Breaks. After purchasing, you’ll fill out an online booking form where you’ll select your desired travel dates (for us, it was between 20th November and 20th December 2019) and your preferred departure airport (from London). Weekender Breaks will then contact you with the surprise holiday location.
Below, you can see the booking form I filled out.
This process ensures everything is straightforward, and Weekender Breaks handles the logistics seamlessly.
Weekender Breaks called a few days after I submitted the form and excitedly informed us that our surprise holiday destination was Berlin. We had never been before, so I was incredibly thrilled!
To make the most of our time in Berlin, I decided to pay an additional £30 to modify our flights. This adjustment allowed us to arrive early in the morning and depart late at night, giving us a total of 3 nights and 4 fantastic days to explore the city.
They sent my holiday documents a few days later, confirming our flights with EasyJet as well as providing our hotel voucher.
With the logistics out of the way, let’s dive into our incredible trip to Berlin!
We landed at Tegel Airport early in the morning. The flight was swift, and since we opted not to bring the buggy this time, we breezed through the airport swiftly. Our first stop was the tourist information center to pick up our Berlin Welcome Card.
Berlin Welcome Card – generously gifted to us by Visit Berlin – allowed us free travel within specific zones of Berlin. I’m already planning to purchase it when we visit again; it’s excellent value for money. We had no issues hopping on trains, trams, and buses, which made navigating the city a breeze, especially for first-timers like us, relying on a good phone map!
Our First Day in Berlin
Upon arriving early at our hotel, unfortunately, our room wasn’t ready. They did let us stash our bags in storage so we could explore the city freely. We stumbled upon a shopping center where we popped into Aldi for snacks and strolled through the shops. With the bitter cold settling in, and our fatigue, we were desperate to check in. We returned to the hotel around 1 pm to find our room ready, but there was a catch: a €20 fee for early check-in. I couldn’t justify paying that, especially since I’ve never encountered such a charge before at other hotels. Fortunately, the lobby was comfortable enough to wait it out. Finally, at 3 pm, we were able to check into our room on the 15th floor, thankfully equipped with a lift! Despite the hotel’s less-than-appealing exterior, our room was surprisingly clean and comfortable. Overall, no complaints about the accommodations.
Berlin is renowned for its enchanting Christmas markets, so after a quick Google search, we discovered the Weihnachtsmarkt am Roten Rathaus. Despite the stunning decorations and festive atmosphere, the biting cold cut our visit short. Nearby, we also explored a smaller Christmas market where we enjoyed a quick ride on the carousel.
Our Second Day in Berlin
Thanks to Visit Berlin’s arrangement, we had the pleasure of visiting Aquarium Berlin. This place is truly remarkable, filled with fascinating creatures and captivating exhibits.
On the ground floor, you’ll encounter the coolest aquatic creatures at Aquarium Berlin. As you move up to the first floor, you’ll discover a diverse array of reptiles, and on the second floor, be prepared for encounters with lots of creepy bugs! For those planning a visit, consider combining your ticket with Berlin Zoo to maximise savings!
Our Third Day in Berlin
Visit Berlin arranged for us to visit TierPark, another amazing destination. It was honestly one of the best places we’ve ever been to. Seeing polar bears and elephants for the first time was truly unforgettable—a memory that will stay with us forever!
TierPark is massive—it’s actually the largest animal park in Europe, home to over 9,000 animals! Despite not having a buggy and little miss getting a bit tired, we managed to see a good portion of the park. However, there’s so much more to explore that we’ll definitely plan to revisit when we return to Berlin. The variety of animals and the expansive grounds make it a must-visit for any animal lover or family exploring the city.
Our Fourth and Final Day in Berlin
Our last day in Berlin was just as enjoyable as the previous three. A friend recommended that we visit the Digital Eatery, a trendy digital café in the heart of Berlin.
The atmosphere was really cool, and the food was delicious!
Eastgate Shopping Centre
We spent the remainder of our day at Eastgate shopping centre, which is enormous and filled with fantastic shops. My personal favourite was Euroshop, where everything is priced at just one Euro—what a bargain!
The shopping centre also features a play area that little miss absolutely loved, along with numerous opportunities for festive photos. I have to say, Berlin’s shopping centres boast some of the most impressive Christmas decorations I’ve ever seen! Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel to retrieve our luggage before making our way directly to the airport.
What Else Can You Do in Berlin with Kids?
There are plenty of family-friendly activities in Berlin that we didn’t have the chance to explore, such as Sealife, the dungeons, the Lego Discovery Centre, and Berlin Zoo. Getting around the city is incredibly convenient, whether you’re traveling with or without a buggy!
Products we used on this holiday:
Trunki – Kindly gifted to us, the Trunki was incredibly helpful since we decided to leave the buggy at home. It made navigating the airport a breeze! While it doesn’t fit a lot of clothes, it’s perfect for carrying snacks and toys for your little ones.
Seat to Sleep® Travel Nest – Also gifted to us, this made our plane journey remarkably peaceful! For the first time, my little one slept without any complaints. Traveling with kids can be challenging, especially ensuring they’re comfortable on the plane, but this product made it much easier.
It’s also incredibly lightweight! It feels like you’re not carrying any extra luggage at all. I’m hoping they consider making an adult version soon.
- Price: £35
- Suitable for ages 3-10
- It has a wipe clean surface
- You are able to quickly inflate and deflate it
We would definitely visit Berlin again.
It’s a stunning city, especially during the festive period. The Christmas atmosphere is unbelievably magical, making it the perfect destination for anyone who loves Christmas as much as we do. The beautiful decorations, charming Christmas markets, and festive spirit create an unforgettable experience that we would love to relive. Berlin has captured our hearts, and we look forward to returning to soak in more of its holiday magic.
