Oops I put this on the wrong sight. We are going to Berlin in September and will have 31/2 days. Everyone is saying that we must go to Potsdam. We were in St. Petersburg last June and went to the Hermitage. Catherines Palace, Peter' Palace and every other major palace. We have also been to Versailles. I can't imagine anything that could be much different. Do you still think we need to do this. My husband wants to take one day to go to the concentration camp there.

The thing about traveling is that you don't "need" to do anything. It sounds as if you've had it with rococco palaces and your husband would rather visit a concentration camp. So skip Potsdam and do what you want, rather than what others want you to do.

I wouldn't want to miss Potsdam while in Berlin. Several sections were listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The people telling you to visit Potsdam are giving you good advice. It is easy to get to, and a nice place to spend one of your half days. There is more to see than just parks and palaces.

Wghen we visited Potsdam, we took the S Bahn, walked through the grounds and back into town where we took a cruise boat on the river/lake to antoher S Bahn line. It was a pleasant ride, giving us a view of the Berliners leisure life on the water.

When we were in Berlin, by one of those bad planning, no knowledge kind of thing, we left the museums for the day that they all happened to be closed. So, I've seen no museums in Berlin, BUT I still love it and can't wait to go back. Is Potsdam nice - gorgeous. Will it make your trip worthless if you don't get around to it - I hardly think so. Enjoy what you can and what you want.

Potsdam is nice but, if you only have 3 1/2 days, you might not have enough time--especially if it is not on your "must see" list.

I spent 2 weeks in Berlin a few years ago and found it in many ways more exciting than London or Paris. After all it is sort of a city back from the dead.

If you go to Potsdam, there are a lot of palaces there, but the one to see is Frederick the Great's hacienda "Sans Souci". What a place!

The concentration camp near Berlin is Sachenhausen. It is a very moving experience. If you have never seen a concentration camp, definitely go. I found the stone slabs where the barracks used to be to be the most moving part. Jewish people customarily place stones on graves to let people know they were there. I did do a bit of that.

Another moving place is the Wansee House, where the conference was held to agree on Hitler's "final solution" to the "Jewish problem". Wansee is an area where many wealthy Jews lived prior to the Nazi era. The house has been turned into a museum about the concentration camps.

Having said all of that, in 3 1/2 days, I would probably just stick to the area of downtown Berlin. There is a palace right in Berlin called the Charlottenburg that is worth visiting. Also, I would suggest that you do at least one of the English language Berlin Walks (tours leave from Zoo Station). They are very informative and will give you an overview of Berlin in general, Nazi related sites and/or Jewish related sites. They also have tours to Potsdam and Sachenhausen. I would suggest that you do this before doing anything else.

There is a bus tour that will take you to the major sites (hop on/hop off) that also provides a good overview.

Now get this: The best Picasso Museum I have ever seen (Yes, I have done the one in Paris) is in Berlin. It is called the Sammelung Bergruen. That means the Bergruen Collection. If my memory serves me correctly, it is near the Charlottenburg Palace. Be sure to get the head set (offered in English). It is narrated by Bergruen himself. I assure you that you will exit that museum knowing much more about Picasso. It is a small museum but the head set information makes the place!

Have fun! Berlin is a wonderful place.

Thanks so much for all of your advice. This is the first time I have used this site and will never again do any traveling without this most helpful tool. We will difinitely go to the concentration camp unless we decide to do that when we are in Prague the followintg week. I love to wander, sit in a cafe and watch the people and sort of get my head into the people and the city. I guess if I am do that I will have to give up some of the museums. What I do plan to do is take a couple of the Berlin Walks tours and then pick up whatever we can on our own. What I have learned is that you cannot do everying in a short time and that if you try you do not enjoy anything.

Thanks Again