Solo-ish Summer 2025 Days 30-31: Food, New Friends, Spies, and a Surprise VIP Museum Tour

After a few days exploring Berlin solo—wandering through history, museums, and unexpected music festivals—it was time for a new adventure to begin. I switched hotels and officially joined the start of my 28-day G Adventures tour through Eastern Europe and the Balkans, a journey that will take me through multiple countries including Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and more. It’s a mix of historic cities, cultural encounters, and scenic landscapes, with both urban highlights and off-the-beaten-path gems along the way. It’s a long trip, but one I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

A Taste of Berlin: Secret Food Tour

I spent my fourth day in Berlin on a walking food tour with Secret Food Tours, and it was everything I hoped it would be. Our guide led us through some of Berlin’s culinary highlights, from street food staples to beloved local specialties. We sampled currywurst, Berliner Pfannkuchen (jam-filled donuts), fresh breads and cheeses, local craft beer, and more—all while weaving through neighborhoods rich with stories and history. Berlin’s food scene is incredibly diverse, a reflection of its status as a global city shaped by waves of migration, reunification, and reinvention.

Meeting the Group

That evening, I met our Chief Experience Officer (CEO), Mikel, and the nine other travelers who would make up our group—at least for now. Five are just joining the first two weeks and will say goodbye in Budapest, while myself and three others are committed to the full 28-day journey. We’ll also be picking up new travelers along the way, starting in Budapest.

After a quick orientation, Mikel took us out for a casual dinner where we got to know each other better over food and drinks. That’s when one of those magical travel moments happened—the kind you can’t plan or predict.

Enter Didi: A Museum, a Surprise, and a Bit of Berlin Magic

At a nearby table, a man named Didi overheard us talking about how most Berlin museums would be closed the next day (a Monday). With a twinkle in his eye and a dramatic flair, he introduced himself and told us he was in charge of a special exhibition called “The Myth of Germania”, which explores the chilling urban visions of Albert Speer and the Nazi regime’s plans to rebuild Berlin as the capital of a new empire.

Then he offered to open the exhibit just for our group the next morning.

Of course we said yes.

A Private Tour (and Bill Gates’ Signature)

The next day, we met Didi at the site and had the entire “Myth of Germania” exhibit to ourselves. It was fascinating and deeply disturbing—a look at the monumental and megalomaniacal vision that Hitler and Speer had for Berlin. Gigantic domes, triumphal arches, wide boulevards—all planned but (thankfully) never realized.

Didi’s knowledge and storytelling were incredible. And as if things couldn’t get more surreal, we discovered that Bill Gates had toured the exact same exhibit just the day before—and even signed the guest book. Sure enough, we saw his signature, a small but surreal reminder of how close the past and present often are in Berlin.

Spies, Storms, and Shared Plates

After the tour, the group split up to explore the city on our own. I headed to the German Spy Museum, a fascinating (and fun) look at espionage through the ages. It’s hands-on, immersive, and surprisingly informative. I was also scouting it out as a potential stop for a future study abroad trip in December, and it did not disappoint.

I spent a little more time wandering through the city, taking in Berlin’s layered streets and public art, before returning to the hotel as dark clouds rolled in. A brief storm passed through while I relaxed and regrouped.

That evening, I met up with a few others from the group for dinner at a cozy Indian restaurant, and it turned into one of those joyful, unplanned nights where stories flow easily and laughter is loud. We ordered multiple dishes to share, swapped travel tales, and talked about what lay ahead on our month-long journey together.

Onward to Krakow

Bags packed and anticipation rising, we headed back to the hotel for one last sleep in Berlin. Tomorrow, we hit the road—next stop: Krakow, Poland.

It’s hard to believe how much has already happened in just a few days with the group, but that’s the beauty of travel: the unexpected characters, spontaneous invitations, and unforgettable meals are often the moments that stay with you longest.

And this journey is just getting started.