European Vacation: Germany, Berlin

Berlin
Our next train trip on the 6th June took us to Berlin. We travelled on the ICE again, (4.5 hrs) and made sure to enter the date of travel before we boarded the train. In Berlin we stayed at the Arcos Apartment Hotel in the suburb of Wedding (very clean, quiet and with own kitchen, sitting room and close to underground and also,a short inexpensive train ride from all the attractions. While we were in Berlin, Turkey won their heat of Euro 2008 and fireworks were heard during the evening. Train connections are easy to follow if you have a line plan.

Most of Berlin was destroyed after WW2, but many landmarks have either been restored or reconstructed. There is constant building going on as you travel around the city. We visited the Reichstag, the seat of the German Parliament, Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) which symbolizes the reunification of East and West Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the site of a standoff between American and Russian tanks in 1961.

We also visited the Pergamon Museum with the spectacular Pergamon Altar taking up an entire room of the museum, and the Flea market at Tiergarten. We walked along the wide street named Unter den Linden, which is the main east-west thoroughfare through the city of Berlin. It earned its name from the rows of linden trees that were first planted there more than three-and-a-half centuries ago.

We also took a cruise on the river Spree and saw many other sights such as the Berliner Dom, Museum Island with no less than five museums all next to each other, people enjoying the sunshine along the banks of the river, all from the comfort of the open boat. That’s when we got burnt, as the temperature had reached 30C. Berlin is very sprawled out and it is advisable to catch public transport or take a tour to see the sights, particularly if the weather is hot.

For shoppers Berlin also has a department store called KaDeWe which is the largest department store in Europe (60,000 square metres in total). The Beauty Department covers 3,000sqm, with 1,500 luxurious classics and designer perfumes on display, but the absolute best was the famous 6th floor KaDeWe’s gourmet paradise of 7,000 square metres of gourmet specialties and delicatessen items for connoisseurs and gourmets as well as people who just like to gaze in awe at the magnificent and artistic food displays. There were also areas where you could sample local beers, wines, champagnes and have a light meal.. There was even a Moet sampling section. Myer and David Jones need to check this one out. Too, if you are interested in finding out more, just Google Ka De We and check out the unbelievable array of goods. The area where you will find this shop is called Kurfürstendamm. This is also known as the Ku’damm, and is Berlin’s most famous shopping street.

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is also in this area, which is the centre of former West Berlin and it is one of Berlin’s most famous landmarks. The damaged tower is a symbol of Berlin’s commitment to rebuild the city after the war and a constant reminder of the destruction of war.

Next Stop – Amsterdam.