While looking for interesting activities during the planning phase of our recent trip to Berlin I came across a Viator activity that I knew Susan would enjoy. We have participated in a number of tours and activities provided by Viator during previous trips and have never been disappointed and this low-key one promised to provide an enjoyable afternoon. The activity was advertised as “Skip the Line - Lunch atop the Berlin TV Tower”, the Fernsehturm.
The television tower is the city’s tallest structure at 368 m (1,207 ft). Located adjacent to Alexanderplatz, the tower was constructed between 1965 and 1969 by the administration of the GDR (German Democratic Republic) and the Socialist Unity Party.
The tower was intended as a secular symbol of Socialist East Berlin and was modeled on the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik in the Social Realist Style. Interestingly, when the sun shines on the Fernsehturm's tiled stainless steel dome, the reflection usually appears in the form of a cross. This effect was not anticipated by the architect and Berliners quickly nicknamed the luminous cross Rache des Papstes, or the "Pope's Revenge". The tower also has the nickname “The Toothpick”. It is among the best known sights in Berlin and we could see it from most parts of the city.
The tower was intended as a secular symbol of Socialist East Berlin and was modeled on the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik in the Social Realist Style. Interestingly, when the sun shines on the Fernsehturm's tiled stainless steel dome, the reflection usually appears in the form of a cross. This effect was not anticipated by the architect and Berliners quickly nicknamed the luminous cross Rache des Papstes, or the "Pope's Revenge". The tower also has the nickname “The Toothpick”. It is among the best known sights in Berlin and we could see it from most parts of the city.
On the day of the lunch we arrived at the tower a little earlier than our reservation specified and we sat in the small seating area in the base of the tower and waited to be called into the elevator a short time later. The elevator takes 40 seconds to reach the observation level at 207 meters (679 feet).
At the Observation/Bar level we checked in at the hostess desk and were guided up a flight of stairs to the next level up and to our table in the Sphere Restaurant. Viator guaranteed that we would have a table at the window and the table was right where I would have personally selected “at the window.”
The restaurant level revolves 360 degrees every hour which provides for some awesome views. As a Viator VIP our table was suitably set up for lunch and as previously noted the view from the window, even though the day was a little hazy, was incredible.
While sitting at our table we were able to see the Reichstag (Parliament Building), the Brandenburg Gate, the Olympic Stadium, the Museum Island (Museumsinsel), the Potsdam Square (Potsdamer Platz) and many other interesting and visually stunning sights.
During the hour while the restaurant was rotating we also enjoyed a very tasty lunch. I had Beef Carpaccio and Susan had the Celery & Soya Soup as an appetizer and as an entrée we both had a Beef Tenderloin cooked medium rare which was excellent. Susan drenched hers in the delicious pepper sauce!
After finishing our meals we walked down one level to the bar located on the Observation Deck. This level does not rotate but we had already seen all of the sights while in the restaurant and we were only looking for one last drink at the Fernsehturm before we headed back to earth. After sitting at the bar talking about what we had just seen and planning about what we wanted to do next we traveled down the elevator and headed back out onto the busy streets of Berlin.
