A 26-year-old marketing manager from Cheshire has proven that an international city break doesn't have to break the bank or use up precious annual leave. Natasha Blanthorn from Macclesfield embarked on an ambitious day trip to Berlin, managing the entire adventure for just over £100 while being back in her own bed by 10pm.
The Early Start and Budget Flights
Natasha Blanthorn, who works as a college marketing manager, had always wanted to visit Berlin to experience its renowned culture and history. After regularly scanning Skyscanner for flight deals, she spotted return flights from Manchester to Berlin had dropped from their usual £80 to just £38. She immediately booked them for November 8.
The journey began with a 3:30am wake-up call, giving Natasha only about four hours of sleep. She drove from Macclesfield to Manchester Airport, where she had pre-booked parking on someone's driveway for just £11.60 for the day. Her hand luggage contained only essentials: a portable charger, passport, breakfast bars, headphones, and her purse.
Her flight departed at 6:20am and landed in Berlin just before 9am local time. "The second I got there, all the tiredness left my body," Natasha recalled about arriving in the German capital.
A Whirlwind Tour of Berlin's History
Upon arrival, Natasha purchased an £8.30 return train ticket to Alexanderplatz and began her exploration at the Topography of Terror exhibit, a free museum showcasing the history of the SS and police during the Third Reich.
Lunch was a quick stop at McDonald's for convenience. "Maybe that wasn't very culturally enriching," she admitted, "but time was of the essence, and there were queues at all the street vendors. I knew I needed something to keep me going through the tour."
The centrepiece of her day was a pre-booked three-hour walking tour costing £14.17, which began at 1pm. The comprehensive tour included stops at significant historical sites including Hitler's Bunker (the Führerbunker), Checkpoint Charlie, and the Brandenburg Gate.
"The walking tour was best - Berlin is so rich in history," Natasha said. "I would never in a million years have had time to research all the facts about the different sites on my own, but I got everything on the tour."
The Return Journey and Lasting Memories
After accumulating approximately 25,000 steps exploring Berlin, Natasha caught the train back to the airport around 4pm, arriving by 5:05pm. Her return flight departed at 8:20pm, getting her back to the UK in time for her 10pm bedtime.
Despite the brief visit, Natasha felt she had managed to cover many of Berlin's main historical landmarks. The entire day cost her £102.07, slightly over her £100 budget but still remarkably affordable for an international trip.
"When I got back, I felt like I was high, just from the adrenaline of it all," she described. "It was a busy day, but you forget all the tiredness and just remember the memories."
This wasn't Natasha's first 'extreme day trip' - she had completed two similar adventures before her Berlin expedition. The experience has inspired her to plan a return visit to see the east side of the city and the famous art at the East Side Gallery.
Breakdown of Costs:
- Flights: £38.00 return
- Parking: £11.60 for the day near airport
- Breakfast at Manchester airport: £8.00
- Food in Berlin: £22.00
- Walking tour: £14.17
- Train to and from Berlin airport: £8.30
- Total: £102.07
While acknowledging that such whirlwind travel "isn't for the faint-hearted," Natasha confirmed she "loved every second" of her budget-friendly adventure.
