apseals

I made the reservation with no problem what so ever. I received an email back from the restaurant the next morning. I think what your plan would be an excellent one. I have read that the food there is very good and the views are wonderful as well.

chtiet

Right, for a long distance train you're better off at Zoo station, as all trains stop there. Alexanderplatz only has regional trains, so your train to Bochum would probably not make a stop there. The other station you could catch your train at is Ostbahnhof, which I guess would be better if you don't have seat reservations and would like to have the best chances of grabbing empty ones.

If the weather is nice, I think the boat is a great idea, as it does go by a good chunk of the historical buildings and many of the recently constructed ones. As far as the wall - yes, there is a chunk on Niederkirchnerstr., right by the Topography of Terror. Also, the Martin Gropius Bau next door has many rotating arts exhibitions. And as far as museums go, the Jewish Museum is really interesting both because of the exhibits and because of the architecture.

apseals

chtiet: There are several tour boats companies with different routes. I can not remember the one we took before. We want one that does go past the most historical spots. Do you an idea of which one we should take?

apseals

I have read all of the information and this is what I have come up with...please let me know if you think this is "doable" Thanks to everyone who has come through as usual. Fodorites are the greatest!

Friday: Arrive 12:30Pm Zoo Station and use U2 to go directly to hotel. If the weather is good, head to the Boat tour near Charlottenburg castle...at least that is where I remember taking it before. Then to the Topography of Terror/Wall and dinner that night.
Saturday: Around 9AM Take U2 to Checkpoint Charlie Museum, walk from there down Friedrichstr and Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg gate & the Reichstag. Lunch at the Reichstag (2PM reservation) Then hop on the 100 bus going east to the Dom and the museum island. Visit that area and then to dinner or whatever we want to do from there.
Sunday: Take U2 to Zoo Station for train back to Bochum.

The only question I have is about which boat tour to take. I remember the tour line but not which city tour. Here is the link to each...any opinions on which route will enable us to see more?
http://www.reedereiwinkler.de/lang/e_city_tours.php

chtiet

We basically just sort of spontaneously hopped on a boat behind the cathedral, and I think it was a 2hr tour (?) Sorry, don't remember anymore exactly how long it was or what the name of the company was.

Anyway, this one
http://www.reederei-riedel.de/start_index.htm
has trips that start around the corner from your hotel - tours 2 and 2A start at the Maerkisches Ufer, which I believe is really close to where you're staying.

Could not find any info on a commentary in English, though.

apseals

chtiet: You are right about the location of that other boat tour. It is very close to our hotel. I have written to both tour companies to see what major sites are on the routes and if they have english audio guides. If the one by our hotel works out, we could go to the Topography of Terror/Wall that afternoon and take the evening tour by boat. That might be even better and more relaxing. (weather being good, of course)

chtiet

Sounds good! Just keep in mind that the Topography of Terror won't exactly be a pleasant experience....

apseals

I have been there and will make that clear to the three friends I have traveling with me. They may choose to skip it with the limited amount of time we have. The decision will be up to them. If they don't want to go, then we can go to the Dom and surrounding area on Friday afternoon and the boat trip Friday night if that works out. Then do the rest on Saturday and not have to worry about getting to the Dom so late on Saturday afternoon.

blondiepopo

Going to be in Paris in 2/05 and checked Easy Jet, and I can fly from there to Berlin (roundtrip) for about $14 Euros. I looked twice at the price to make sure I wasn't seeing things.Will be a short trip. Plz give me some tips as I am not familiar with this city. Need info about how to get to the airport to the city and get around.

blondiepopo

From the little I've read so far on Berlin, I'm going to need a bus tour to see the sights - any recommendations? Definitely want to see the Berlin Wall.

WillTravel

You don't need a bus tour, although of course it will get you around. The sights in the historical center (Mitte) are all within walking distance of each other. You will need a bus or other public transport to go elsewhere.

I've written elsewhere about this guided walk that I took - a gruelling 10 hours, but extremely informative. http://www.brewersberlin.com

blondiepopo

Thanks for the reply - will check it out.

chtiet

There are direct rail connections from Schonefeld airport to the city (akin to the RER in Paris). You can take a regional train, which make fewer stops, or a S-Bahn, which will make more. In any case, I would recommend buying a pass for public transport (which is one of the very best in Europe IMO). Bus routes 100 and 200 go from Alexanderplatz station to Zoo station, and stop by many many of the sights. These regular public buses come every 10 minutes, so you could just hop on/hop off as you please. All the trains to/from the airport should stop at those two stations.

blondiepopo

Apseals, would really like to hear about your trip when you get back because the sites you are going to are the ones I would like to see.

apseals

I am back and have posted my trip report at http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...amp;dirtyBit=1