Hi everyone. We are visiting Berlin for 4 nights mid-May from the US. I'm trying to decide how to spend our time and would love to hear suggestions. What should be our priorities? Historical sights are high on our list, WWII, Communist era as well as the more distant past. How is the city for renting a bicycle to tour the neighborhoods? Cheap but decent eats?? All thoughts, opinions and suggestions are welcome!

hi,
take a look here, these might help:
http://berliner-unterwelten.de
(very special)
http://www.derhauptstaedter.de
(Reichstag without standing in line, nut only in German. when in Berlin, call that number - they sure will speak english)
http://www.berlin-hidden-places.de/yuba_web3/index.htm
(a must to look in. My favorties:
Melanie's ->don't look when you're on a diet
Berlin Teahouse -> hear the silence
Capt'n Schilow -> not easy to find, but very special for a drink or dinner
have fun
Gar

A friend and I just returned (mid-March) from a week in Berlin . . . we had an absolutely marvelous time.

I typed up my travelog and would be happy to send it to you if you want, just let me know at [email protected].

I hope you have as much fun as we did!

Sandy (in Denton)

Sandy-- would you please post your report? I know you stayed at an apt in Prenzlberg and it would be great to hear about your week!

Thanks!

I would highly recommend the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. A day trip to Potsdam for either the Sans Souci or the "New" Palace or both.

We just got back from 5 nights in Berlin. We spent most of our time in the art museums but one thing we did that was really interesting history-wise was to see the Soviet War Memorial at Treptow Park--it's easy to get to, just take the S-Bahn to Treptow Park and follow the signs (they're in German but easy enough to figure out). It's pretty impressive--definitely worthwhile.

Surie . . . I did post a report on the apartment, it's here http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35119349

Or you can click on my screen name.

Posts get buried pretty quickly sometimes.

Sandy (in Denton)

bookmarking

My trip reports might be useful:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35084225

and this part of another trip report (I highly recommend the boat ride):

When we were on our own we went to visit the Egyptian collection on the Museum Island. We were warned that Berlin museums would be a zoo because of the World Cup, but it turned out to be the opposite. The museum guards had so little to do that they followed us around as if we were criminals. But we did see Nefertiti in all her glory and with no one else around. There are two coffee shops in the museum, and the one on the upper landing has more interesting pastries of the Middle Eastern varieties. We also recommend the 3.5 hour round trip on the Landwehr Kanal and the Spree which gives a good view of Berlin old and new. The tour starts near the Jannowitzbrücke U & S-Bahn station. We had no reservations, and got the last seats on the boat. The commentaries are all in German, but we could have received a hand-out in English if necessary. The Landwehr Kanal goes through the old neighborhoods with their 19th century houses--although there are exceptions--while the ride up the Spree showcases all the brand new buildings around the government center. We also went to see the new central train station and walked around the Tiergarten, saw the outside of the Scandinavian embassies (an interesting complex of buildings) and had refreshments at the near-by beer garden across the street from the Spanish Embassy--the pizza in the self-serve section looked particularly appealing.

Berlin pictures, taken over a period of years: http://tinyurl.com/qglgg

As I overheard a young French woman speak to a friend upon arriving in CDG: Food is cheap in Berlin. We had decent Indian food with wine and other refreshments for about 100+&euro; for 11 persons, had a Doner Kebab (Gyros for the Americans) for 2.25&euro; at the Jannowitzbr&uuml;cke station which was more than enough for lunch (decent fast food is available at most U &amp; S-Bahn stations), had a businessman's plate that was <i>bien cuisin&eacute;</i> at the better restaurant in the main train station (upstairs SW corner) for 12&euro;, and had a plain but good plate for 4.50&euro; at Pinelli's in the hallway of the Sch&ouml;neberg S-Bahn Ring line station. That latter restaurant serves no alcohol during the day but has wine in the evening and functions as a jazz club.