Tried & Tested - Berlin

Back in December last year a good friend of mine invited me on a weekend city break to Berlin. The lure of the celebrated German Christmas markets and homemade Gluhwein was enough to convince me to say yes immediately, however the city held more delights and surprises than I ever expected. Here are a few of my highlights:

• Seeing the remains of the Berlin Wall. Artists have transformed what was once a mar on the landscape into a fascinating outdoor gallery that stretches for over a kilometre.
• Visiting the 5 star Hotel Adlon Kempinski (where Michael Jackson famously dangled his baby off the balcony) and paying 11 Euros for a cup of tea and a few biscuits! (Okay so the bill was a shock, but the hotel was amazing.)

• Strolling through the beautiful Tiergarten Park in the centre of Berlin. It was a little chilly when we were there but I can imagine it must be a haven for the locals in the summer months.

• Visiting the amazing Christmas markets – we squeezed in three of the best ones: Charlottenburg (the most beautiful as it’s outside the castle) Potsdamer Platz (next to a shopping mall – it doesn’t get much better than that!) and Gendarmenmarkt (best atmosphere and the market that the locals seem to favour).

• Seeing Brandenburg Gate and strolling through the nearby Jewish Memorial. It’s impossible not to be enthralled as you negotiate your way through more than 2,000 concrete slabs of varying shapes and sizes; some over 15ft high. The memorial was designed by architect Peter Eisenman in memory of the Jewish victims of the holocaust. 

• Enjoying the nightlife. Drinking with the locals was immensely good fun!

A couple of handy links if you’re planning a visit:

Jewish Memorial: http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/visits/kupp.html

Brandenburg Gate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburg_Gate

Berlin Wall: www.eastsidegallery.com

S-Bahn Map: http://www.bvg.de/index.php/en/17111/name/Urban+Rail+Trains.html (on the bottom right of the page under 'More Information' - click on the link that says ‘Network Map of S and U Bahn’

TV Tower (for awesome views of Berlin): http://www.tv-turm.de/en/index.php

Dinner in the Dark (c. £50 per head) : http://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/Berlin-Dinner-in-the-Dark-Experience/d488-5181DARK

Kunsthaus Tacheles: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/interactive/2009/jan/21/berlin-kunsthaus-tacheles?fb=native-

Have you been to Berlin? If so, what were your highlights?