Berlin
Feb 15th, 2008, 04:55 PM
#2
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Well I know what I would do. But since I don;t know you and your interests it would be hard to say for you. Have you read the destinations section above to get an idea of what might interest you?
Feb 15th, 2008, 06:01 PM
#3
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Berlin has a wonderful hop on/hop off tour bus with headphones that discirbe the area. Its good to try that out to get a feel for the city. There are wonderful museums, Check Point Charlie ect. There is a large park that is nice to walk through. Get a tour book and read up on the city. Have fun
Feb 16th, 2008, 02:08 AM
#4
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Without knowing your interests its difficultbut if you've never been to the city before i'd suggest taking the 100/200 bus rather than a hop on hop off. it takes you past most of the main sites.
My itinerary would be
early start visit the Reichstag and Brandenburg gate (going to the reichstag early you should enjoy the worst queues.
Over to the memorial to the murdered jews of Europe and then potsdamer platz for lunch.
Afternoon, checkpoint charlie and then east side gallery (the wall)
Next day.
Museum island, choose one museum to spend the morning in depending on your interests.
Berliner dom, if you are feeling energetic climb to the top of the dom.
lunch.
Afternoon, alexanderplatz and the area surrounding it.
If you tell us your interests, then we may be able to be more specific about what would you would be most interested in.
My itinerary would be
early start visit the Reichstag and Brandenburg gate (going to the reichstag early you should enjoy the worst queues.
Over to the memorial to the murdered jews of Europe and then potsdamer platz for lunch.
Afternoon, checkpoint charlie and then east side gallery (the wall)
Next day.
Museum island, choose one museum to spend the morning in depending on your interests.
Berliner dom, if you are feeling energetic climb to the top of the dom.
lunch.
Afternoon, alexanderplatz and the area surrounding it.
If you tell us your interests, then we may be able to be more specific about what would you would be most interested in.
Feb 16th, 2008, 03:22 AM
#5
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great itinerary Caroline and perfect for a firt time visitor.
If I can suggest one addition it is to perhaps consider starting the walk from Zoo then along through the Tiergarten in a straight line past the Siegessäule (Victory Tower) towards the Reichstag, Soviet War Memorial and the Brandenburg gate.
Each time I've been to the city I've used this route which seems to 'open up' the city and its sights as I walk along.
bill
If I can suggest one addition it is to perhaps consider starting the walk from Zoo then along through the Tiergarten in a straight line past the Siegessäule (Victory Tower) towards the Reichstag, Soviet War Memorial and the Brandenburg gate.
Each time I've been to the city I've used this route which seems to 'open up' the city and its sights as I walk along.
bill
Feb 16th, 2008, 04:02 AM
#6
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Here my top ten attractions:
1. Unter den Linden
You start your visit to Berlin with a stroll along the famous boulevard with impressive architecture on both sides: Reichstag and Brandenburger Tor at the west end, Gendarmenmarkt a little south of the middle, the Humboldt University, the Opera, the Dom (cathedral), the guardhouse and many other buildings at the east end. A good alternative to walking is taking bus no 100.
2. Pergamon Museum
This is one of the world's most impressive museums, together with the Louvre and the British Museum. And it is the world's only one where full-sized masterpieces of ancient architecture are displayed: The altar of ancient Greek pergamon with its famous story-telling frieze, the complete Ishtar gate and procession street which was the entrance to Babylon, a full-size facade of a Roman marketplace, a whole Arabian desert palace etc.
3. Reichstag Building
The Reichstag which was burnt in 1933 and was left as a ruin during the times of the cold war. After German reunification, the building was repaired, received a glass dome and became again the seat of the parliament. You must visit the glass dome (designed by architect Norman Foster). The views into the building and over Berlin are most impressive, especially around sunset. To avoid waiting in line you may reserve a table in the Restaurant im Reichstag which served good, contemporary cuisine (forget older, negative reviews: the management has changed).
4. Oranienburger Strasse
To catch the true spirit of Berlin, walk this bustling street at night. You will find all kinds of nightlife, trendy restaurants and bars, art galleries and the historical Synagogue. There is the World-War-II ruin of the old jewish department store, now, under the name "Tacheles", converted into a mixture of artists studios, a surrealist garden and a honky-tonk. On the other end are the Hackesche Hoefe, a suite of historical courtyards which house some restaurants and the "Chamaeleon" where a most recommendable show performs nightly.
5. Friedrichstadtpalast
The Friedrichstadtpalast houses an opulent revue show with some hundred long-legged dancers. It rivals New York's Radio City Music Hall. If you don't speak German, don't bother: Most of the show is dancing and music.
6. Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam, Brandenburg
There are many castles in and around Berlin, but if you want to see the most important castle in the most important setting, go to Potsdam. You can reach Potsdam by taking the S-Bahn within 28 minutes (from Friedrichstrasse). There you will see two splendid castles in rokoko style (Sanssouci and the Neue Palais) in a huge, elaborate park (which is an attraction in itsself). If you have some time, visit also Cecilienhof Castle (a Tudor castle where Potsdam Conference was held after WWII) and the Hollaendische Viertel (good for food and drink).
7. Spree Boat Trip, Berlin, Germany
http://www.berlin-tourist-informatio...eing/e_si_stad...
A very relaxing way to explore Berlin's architectural highlights is a boat trip on the Spree. The boats depart near Schlossbruecke and make a round-trip through Berlin's historical center.
8. East Side Gallery
East Side Gallery, Berlin, Germany
No visit to Berlin is complete without visiting the remnants of the concrete wall that separated East and West Berlin for 30 years. This section of the Berlin Wall is not only a reminder to the cold war but also the world's largest piece of art because the wall has been brightly painted with graffitis during the cold war time. Visit also the little museum at Checkpoint Charly.
9. Altes Museum
Do not miss paying a visit to one of the most beautiful women in the history of mankind! Everyone has seen pictures of Queen Nefertiti's bust, but you must see the original. Nefertiti is the main attraction of the Altes Museum which belongs (together with the Pergamon Museum) to the Museum Island.
10. Jewish Museum
This is not only a well-made historical museum of jewish life, jewish history and the holocaust. It is also a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, designed by Daniel Libeskind. The dismembered facade symbolizes the disasters of jewish history.
1. Unter den Linden
You start your visit to Berlin with a stroll along the famous boulevard with impressive architecture on both sides: Reichstag and Brandenburger Tor at the west end, Gendarmenmarkt a little south of the middle, the Humboldt University, the Opera, the Dom (cathedral), the guardhouse and many other buildings at the east end. A good alternative to walking is taking bus no 100.
2. Pergamon Museum
This is one of the world's most impressive museums, together with the Louvre and the British Museum. And it is the world's only one where full-sized masterpieces of ancient architecture are displayed: The altar of ancient Greek pergamon with its famous story-telling frieze, the complete Ishtar gate and procession street which was the entrance to Babylon, a full-size facade of a Roman marketplace, a whole Arabian desert palace etc.
3. Reichstag Building
The Reichstag which was burnt in 1933 and was left as a ruin during the times of the cold war. After German reunification, the building was repaired, received a glass dome and became again the seat of the parliament. You must visit the glass dome (designed by architect Norman Foster). The views into the building and over Berlin are most impressive, especially around sunset. To avoid waiting in line you may reserve a table in the Restaurant im Reichstag which served good, contemporary cuisine (forget older, negative reviews: the management has changed).
4. Oranienburger Strasse
To catch the true spirit of Berlin, walk this bustling street at night. You will find all kinds of nightlife, trendy restaurants and bars, art galleries and the historical Synagogue. There is the World-War-II ruin of the old jewish department store, now, under the name "Tacheles", converted into a mixture of artists studios, a surrealist garden and a honky-tonk. On the other end are the Hackesche Hoefe, a suite of historical courtyards which house some restaurants and the "Chamaeleon" where a most recommendable show performs nightly.
5. Friedrichstadtpalast
The Friedrichstadtpalast houses an opulent revue show with some hundred long-legged dancers. It rivals New York's Radio City Music Hall. If you don't speak German, don't bother: Most of the show is dancing and music.
6. Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam, Brandenburg
There are many castles in and around Berlin, but if you want to see the most important castle in the most important setting, go to Potsdam. You can reach Potsdam by taking the S-Bahn within 28 minutes (from Friedrichstrasse). There you will see two splendid castles in rokoko style (Sanssouci and the Neue Palais) in a huge, elaborate park (which is an attraction in itsself). If you have some time, visit also Cecilienhof Castle (a Tudor castle where Potsdam Conference was held after WWII) and the Hollaendische Viertel (good for food and drink).
7. Spree Boat Trip, Berlin, Germany
http://www.berlin-tourist-informatio...eing/e_si_stad...
A very relaxing way to explore Berlin's architectural highlights is a boat trip on the Spree. The boats depart near Schlossbruecke and make a round-trip through Berlin's historical center.
8. East Side Gallery
East Side Gallery, Berlin, Germany
No visit to Berlin is complete without visiting the remnants of the concrete wall that separated East and West Berlin for 30 years. This section of the Berlin Wall is not only a reminder to the cold war but also the world's largest piece of art because the wall has been brightly painted with graffitis during the cold war time. Visit also the little museum at Checkpoint Charly.
9. Altes Museum
Do not miss paying a visit to one of the most beautiful women in the history of mankind! Everyone has seen pictures of Queen Nefertiti's bust, but you must see the original. Nefertiti is the main attraction of the Altes Museum which belongs (together with the Pergamon Museum) to the Museum Island.
10. Jewish Museum
This is not only a well-made historical museum of jewish life, jewish history and the holocaust. It is also a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, designed by Daniel Libeskind. The dismembered facade symbolizes the disasters of jewish history.
