This week was spent with a small tour group visiting some of the great palaces, historic gardens, parks and pavilions in the Potsdam region, just on the outskirts of Berlin. Amazingly many of these wonderful creations survived World War II virtually unscathed.

A few minutes’ walk from our hotel was the highlight of the tour for me - the impressive Sanssouci Palace and Gardens. As you approach, the famous view of the palace with terraces cascading in the foreground unfolds with each step. The towering fountain jet spurts into life, ringed with larger than life marble statues and the picture is complete.

The enormous grounds are dotted with glorious vistas, follies, palaces and my favourite – the Chinese Teahouse! A gilt confection with oriental motifs, statues and fabulous acoustics – I couldn’t resist a song.

Related reading: Postcard from the Cotswolds

Another was Klein-Glienicke. Influenced by Italian and English design, its gardens are strewn with neoclassical garden buildings and embellished with antiquarian fragments picked up by Prince Carl on his travels in the early 19th century. A stroll through the park is a most delightful experience.

Other great gardens included the English influenced Worlitz, where we enjoyed a lazy gondola ride in the afternoon sun, Peacock Island with its castle folly and the gothic inspired Babelsberg.

The interiors of the palaces we visited were all incredibly beautiful and filled with priceless treasures. A standout was the reconstructed Charlottenburg with it’s over the top rococo scrolls and swirls, all covered with gold and illuminated by the most dazzling crystal chandeliers.

Our evenings were spent sampling the culinary delights of Potsdam. Now is asparagus season and every menu led with asparagus soups, salads and garnishes and they were all snow white and delicious. As were the schnitzels, Bratwurst sausages, fresh fish, … all served with potatoes of course! Then there’s the desserts – apple strudel, cherry strudel, cheese cake, Black Forest cake, homemade ice cream, fresh strawberries … the list goes on. In the pursuit of accurate reporting I felt obliged to sample them all and yes, oh my, they were good!

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The small city of Potsdam, 15 miles from Berlin, has a long and interesting history. The residence of the Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until 1918, it hosted the Potsdam Conference in 1945 following Germany’s surrender and was on the East German side of the Wall until reunification.

Potsdam’s movie industry dates back to the silent era. Marlene Dietrich got her start here and today such films as Captain America and The Hunger Games are produced. The antique shops aren’t bad either – I certainly enjoyed a good rummage.

Auf wiedersehen!

George Hoad