Berlin anyone?

[gala]

We're off next week for a two day break to Berlin. Its a treat for the two youngest as they will have completed their GCSEs and A's by then. I havent had time to get anything done re: what to do but my son who has been, has given some insight. I bought a very good guide this morning but am pretty well clueless as to what to do and see.
Im so ready for a break as I had some very bad news yesterday and have been feeling down so getting away is what we all need. :(
I am thinking of doing the free walking tour and one or two museums. I have had a look at TA but need some input from the experts. Anyone?

Margaret

[highlander447]

I could be wrong but pretty sure Jean (Jeanwales) has done a trippie on Berlin

[highlander447]

heres a link to jeans report http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=1179725#post1179725

[Elsie]

I've been twice and a trip to the top of the Reichtag in the glass dome is worth it ... but only if you get there early as the queue can be over an hour. Also worth a visit (if you like churches) is the Berliner Dom (http://www.aviewoncities.com/berlin/dom.htm). If you go to Potsdamer Platz (about 10 mins walk from the Reichtag / Brandenburg Gate) there are sections of the infamous wall with pictures and a history of it. If you look on the floor there are cobble stones depicting where the wall was. It seems strange looking at it this now as there is so much new construction on top of where the wall used to be!

Finally, if you want a nice atmos and food, try the Einstein Cafe (http://www.bargaintraveleurope.com/Germany_Berlin_Cafe_Einstein.htm), just down Kurfürstenstrasse walking away from the Brandenburg Gate. It's not cheap but the quality and service are top banana. Well, it has to be. It's in the heart of the government and business district and not far from the (rebuilt) Hotel Adlon which is where heads of government and pop / film stars stay. There are pictures all over the walls of the people that have been there. Order the hot chocolate ... it's to die for!

[gala]

Thanks for the info Elise - very helpful, and also Steve. I loved reading Jean's report.

Margaret

[KittyKat]

Can't really advise as my last visit was pre-reunification, so many of the sites I saw don't exist. However one thing I have to agree with is that you have to have hot chocolate (heiße schokolade). Try it from the Movenpick cafe.

Kitty

[BevS97]

We went a couple of years ago, staying with my sister in law so not a lot of touristy stuff, but what I did really enjoy was the Museum next to Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdammer Platz is a very modern shopping area, but if you walk from the Brandenburg gate to Postsdammer Platz you walk along the line of the wall and next to Holocaust Memorial that they were building when we were there, it looked like it would be very moving.

We also went to Kaiser Wilhelm Church which is near the KuDamm which is the main shopping street, and we went to the Zoo (we had the kids with us), it's quite a nice Zoo but I don't think I would bother with only 2 days.
One of the best things we did, happened quite by accident, we went to a Russian War Memorial (treptower park) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_War_Memorial_(Treptower_Park))and on the way back we stopped for a drink in a Biergarten and there was a band playing and people dancing, and we sat in the sunshine and it was brilliant.

We also went to the Olympic Stadium, and the Charlottenberg Schloss, and Potsdam. Just to throw a few more ideas out there - we were there for over a week though so obviously had more time.

[freckles]

DD(13) went on a school trip last December and loved it. Of course at that time of year there were Xmas markets and ice skating rinks, which are no good to you!

She really liked the Kaiser Wilhelm church and the Holocaust memorial though. And a museum called The Story of Berlin, where the tour included being locked in a wartime bunker.

They also visited all the major sights but were rushing round so quickly they were virtually just a quick photo and on to the next! But having been to the museum first kind of put it all into context for them.

Have fun.

[Elsie]

... but if you walk from the Brandenburg gate to Postsdammer Platz you walk along the line of the wall and next to Holocaust Memorial that they were building when we were there, it looked like it would be very moving.
It is. Walking through / into it is an experience I won't forget as in the middle the stones dwarf you. It's a very sobering experience.

We also went to the Olympic Stadium, and the Charlottenberg Schloss
Lol ... we did too! We had a guided tour around the Olympic Stadium. My friend Nicola lives (literally) a stones throw from the Olympic Stadium and we had a tour around there on Jan 2nd this year. It was cold and snowy! As we were being shown around the VIP box my son asked "Which was Hitlers seat?". :blush: The guide explained nicely that Hitler had a seperate box which was removed in the 1950's.

I love Berlin and I'm looking forward togoing back later this year.

[BevS97]

Don't you love kids!

[gala]

Thanks Bev and everyone else! Im really looking forward to it now. We are staying at the Mercure Hotel Checkpoint Charlie. Is that a central enough point, do you think?

Margaret

[Elsie]

Yep. It's quite central. Besides, there are loads of buses, the metro system is very good and simple to follow and on the east side, they have a tram system.

[Gill H]

Have only been once but enjoyed KaDeWe, the big department store, where we had a lovely lunch.