Hi,

My boyfriend and I are going to Berlin for Christmas and would like to go ice skating on Christmas day. Can anyone suggest a place preferably outdoor? and do we need to buy tickets beforehand?

We have heard the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas markets are great. Any other suggestions of what to do in Berlin for Christmas?

Any suggestions for places to stay in Berlin, we usually stay in backpackers but would like to stay somewhere nice for Christmas without blowing the budget (about 100 - 150 euros pn).

Any pointers would be great.
Thanks,
Marns

In 2005 there were two, adjacent to the Potsdamer Platz and on Bebelplatz (between Staatsoper and Humboldt University), don't know if they will open this year.. Currently advertising is the Eisbahn Lankwitz at LeonorenStr. 37, 12247 Berlin-Lankwitz and Eisbahn Spandau, Hohenzollernring 64, 13585 Berlin (http://www.eisbahn-spandau.de/) - and there might be others by the time you get there. They will be in the what's-on pages of the papers.

Hi! I am going to Berlin in winter. Assuming it's cold enough, can anyone suggest places in or near Berlin where you can ice skate on frozen lakes (rather than just an outdoor rink)?

Don't assume that the weather will be cold enough to allow outdoor skating. Depending on the size of the lake it can take several days of continuous temps in the 20's for the surface to freeze enough to support skaters (not that common in Berlin).

Priceline is good for Berlin. If you are inexperienced with PL, go to biddingfortravel.com to learn the bidding process. A couple of years ago we got the newish Marriott on Potsdammer Platz for 55 USD/night for a beautiful double. We don't usually stay in US chain hotels in Europe, but this one was so comfortable.