RosieinOz

Hi Everyone!
We are planning 2 weeks in Germany 6th to 20th December. A few days in Berlin then hiring a car and traveling through the country and visiting some Christmas markets. Need to be in Geneva on 21st December.
Any suggestions as to an itinery and how to best spend the time would be appreciated. We have been to Fussen but that is our only experience of Germany.
Thanks
Rosie

RosieinOz

ttt

gruezi

Hi Rosie,

I think one week would not be "enough" in Berlin.

It's a huge city with tons of history and culture.

Highlights? You will need to look at a guidebook or something to narrow things down but for a start:

The Brandenburg Gate
The Berlin Wall
The Wilhelm Church
Potsdamerplatz
The Jewish Museum
The Reichstag
Unter den Linden
The Pergamon Museum

etc. etc.

We were there for 3 days and I felt really cheated.

OTOH, after about a day or two of Christmas markets I start to get a bit bored and sometimes cold too. How many ornaments can you buy or look at and how much warm cheap wine can you drink? It all starts to repeat itself.

Don't miss out on this wonderful city!

gruezi

Meler

I have been living in Berlin for three months and I think three days it's not enought to see Berlin. If I go back I think I-ll spend the 15 days in Berlin and then I would rent a car to see anything else, but surely you want to see more cities. If you could stay for a week I think you could see a bit more.

Regrets,

Melanie

Stella2

I spent 4 days there in spring '06 and left feeling that i could do much more, and plan on visiting again some time soon. its a fabulous city! get a book, and you'll see countless museums. the jewish museum is quite unique as it is very educational, interactive, and the first completed building of daniel leibskind's incredible architectural visions. the wall is a must. you'll find in the book where you can find the largest continuous piece. happy trails!!!!

zeppole

I spent 3 nights in Berlin and surely want to go back, but I very much enjoyed what I saw, and the infrastructure is outstanding, so you can see a lot. Since I have no feeling whatsoever for Christmas markets, I would choose Berlin touristing over that, but it's up to you.

The one thing I thought was among the most amazing things I ever seen in my travels is the Reichstag. There is nothing else like it in the world.

gruezi

zeppole,

I felt the same way about the Reichstag! It reminded me of a modern-day version of the Pantheon in Rome which I also love.

I'd go back to Berlin just to go up the dome again.

gruezi

RosieinOz

Thanks everyone!
Our son said he loved Berlin too and I think you are right gruezi my husband is most likely to be bored with too many markets...I wonder which towns are the best to visit for markets and culture...we like smaller scenic places rather than bustling cities...particularly with a car!
Rosie

gruezi

Hi Rosie,

If you search here on Fodor's for Christmas markets you will find lots of information as many times I see posts about the German markets.

Regarding the bustling city... Berlin is not Rome or even NYC IMO. It's very modern, and probably has a good nightlife if you looked for it, but in terms of being a tourist you'll find it very easy and civilized. I found it every bit as convenient and simple as Zurich although much bigger and definitely more interesting. There is green space and you won't feel smog and such as you do elsewhere.

gruezi

Jake1

We spent 3-1/2 days in Berlin in late November last year and had a great time. We did not see everything we wanted to see, but we did see and do a lot, so the trip was very satisfying. We visited four Christmas markets, some excellent and some less so.

Our favorite was the WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt--nice setting and it seemed to have more local crafts and products than some of the others. There was also a smaller market near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church that had some nice merchandise--as opposed to mass-produced or imported items.

zeppole

Gruezi,

It's a masterpiece. It's a master work of architecture. Its artistic, historic and civic importance can't be overstated.

People don't hesitate to use the word 'genius' for architecture of the past. I guess it feels safer.

But the Reichstag is probably the best chance people living today have to understand a living work of architecture, and therefore come to understand what great architecture in any other time may have meant to the people of that other time.

The opening up of the Reichstag to the public and to the light is just jaw-dropping. It's hard to think of another modern, public building that has so beautifully embodied, in three-dimensions, a political aspiration.

gruezi

<i>It's hard to think of another modern, public building that has so beautifully embodied, in three-dimensions, a political aspiration.</i>

beautifully said zeppole...they got it just right.

gruezi