Ozgirl07

So last month I went on a little holiday to Europe. It was another solo trip and I was planning on spending Christmas. After much thought and questions on forums I decided to visit Cologne, Berlin, London and Paris. After the Paris attacks I seriously considered cancelling. Not because I was worried about anything but because my family were beyond worried. But in the end I convinced them hat life goes on and I was going to travel.
So here is the trip report. I'm sorry it's not as informative and practical some amazing reports I see on this forum. It's more of a travel diary for me. I tried to remember as many details as possible. I hope it's helpful or just a bit of fun to read.

Ozgirl07

10 December Travel Day and Singapore
So here begins a another journey to Europe. Travelled on Singapore Airlines flight from Adelaide to Singapore. Had a short one night stop in Singapore to break up that long flight to Frankfurt. This was a brilliant idea, because I didn't really lose one nights sleep as you do if travel direct.
The flight was on time and the food very nice. I had requested an Indian vegetarian meal.
In Singapore, after I landed, the passport control was super efficient and my red suitcase arrived safely and quickly. Having learnt my lesson last year, when I walked off with some else's red suitcase, I had tied a significant ribbon to my suitcase handle so it stood out
I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Orchard Rd. This is a new hotel right behind Robinson's department store, across from Paragon Shopping Centre. Had read that taxi drivers don't know this hotel but I never had any issues. So a quick taxi ride to this lovely hotel and I was ready to start my Singapore adventure.
Of course on my way from the airport I saw the beautiful Christmas decorations. Why can't we do even 10% of this in Adelaide???

So first things first. I was in the market to buy a gold necklace. I knew what I wanted and I knew that the Mustafa Centre will have it. Now it is a bit difficult to convince a taxi to go to Little India from Orchard Rd for some reason. Anyway the lovely hotel doorman managed to get me a taxi. It started bucketing down as we pulled to Mustafa Centre. I mean torrential, flooding the road rain! I did get drenched but it was warm rain so all good. As I thought, 30 minutes later I was a little poorer but the proud owner of a beautiful white and yellow gold necklace.

A stop at my favourite restaurant Ananda Bhavan for a delicious meal.
Back to the hotel to put away my precious ...

I had a walk around Orchard Rd near my hotel and popped into Food Republic in Wisma Atria for a cool sugar cane juice. Having sugared up, it was off to bed for me


Here's a link to Day 1 with accompanying photos http://redsuitcasetravel.blogspot.co...singapore.html

WeisserTee

Great start! How about posting a photo of that necklace? Looking forward to your next entry.

P.S. Read your blog on the shopping in Milan...nice that you were able to catch the sales. In December, we went into nearly every designer store in the Golden Rectangle to admire their Christmas decorations and their merchandise. Eventually I caved and bought a Jimmy Choo Sweetie bag.

thursdaysd

Signing on.

travelchat

Gonna like this one!

Ozgirl07

WeisserTee - that's the double the value. You get a Jimmy Choo bag plus everytime you use it, you'll be thinking of Milan
Thanks Thursdaysd and travelchat

Ozgirl07

11 December Another Travel Day and arriving in Germany

After a good night's sleep I got up around 8am. Breakfast was included and pretty decent. I went for a another walk around Orchard Rd, this time in daylight before picking up my suitcase and taking a taxi to the airport. My flight from Singapore to Frankfurt was at 1:55pm but there's always loads to do at the airport. I took the train from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 to have lunch at Kaveri Indian Vegetarian restaurant. Food was only average
Flight once again on time and we took off from rainy Singapore. The food on this flight was not that good. In fact it was down right weird.
We landed in Frankfurt maybe 25 mins early around 8:05pm. From landing to getting to the Frankfurt Airport Train station was less that an hour. But this was the first time I was questioned for a good 15 minutes at passport control. Just as I was starting to get nervous, the officer let me through. phew!

By the time I got to the luggage carousel only my poor little red suitcase was circling....

I had printed a schedule of trains from Frankfurt Airport to Cologne and knew there was shorter, direct train at 9:09pm. It was 9pm when I got to the ticket machine. The train station is in a building across from Terminal 1. Follow the signs or ask a friendly local I think the escalator down takes you to the S-bahn/Regional train station and the escalator up is to the fast trains such as the ICE which is where I headed.

I had decided not to pre-purchase the train ticket to Cologne to allow for any delays. So I had to buy my ticket. For once my head was screwed on right I managed to purchase the correct ticket. Still about 3 mins. So rushed to the info office and asked for the correct platform = 2 mins. Got to the platform with 3 mins to spare! yay me! Caught the train which was full and going to Berlin. One thing, remember that normally the end destination shows inside the train and on the boards in train stations. This train was also separating somewhere mid way. So I asked 3 people to make sure we were going to go past Cologne. OCD much....

I was a bit worried that I would be catching a deserted ghost train and arriving into to a closed station. No problems. I had to walk down 2 cars to actually find a seat I had hold to my suitcase in the aisle. 4 wheeled bags are great, except when they try to get away from you.

So 10 mins before the train was supposed to arrive in Cologne, I stood by the door, so I didn't miss the station. Cologne station was still busy when I got in. I stayed at the Ibis Koeln Am Dom.

An Ibis is an Ibis. We are talking functional, clean, convenient. Perfect for 2 nights. The bed was comfy, I had view from my room of the famous Cathedral and a Christmas tree. Can't ask for more....

Here's a link to Day 2 with accompanying photos
http://redsuitcasetravel.blogspot.co...l-day-and.html

thursdaysd

You can never ask too many questions!

Ozgirl07

12 December Cologne Adventures
I woke up a few times through the night but managed a decent nights sleep. Went into the station at 9:30am for a grab-n-go breakfast from a convenience store called ReWe. This store had branches in Berlin too, so I'm not sure if it's a Germany wide franchise, but it was great. They had single serves of cereal, milk, pastries, coffee to go, fruit salads, lunch salads, sandwiches which they could heat/toast for you. The weather was cloudy but not particularly cold. It was probably around 6C.

After finishing my breakfast in my hotel room, I went to the Dom. Needless to say it was amazing. Gothic with a capital "G".

This church contains the relics of the Three Kings. It also has one of the oldest known crucifix from the 10th century. They began construction in the 12th century and over 650 years later it was completed by Emperor Wilhem I.

Absolutely fascinating as you walk through, the stone used for the arches of the church is of different colour depicting the stages of completion.

I did the guided English language tour which was 8 or 9 Euros but well worth it.

There was a very large Christmas Market right next to the church. I thought I'd explore the market and have some lunch. Ummm I think the rest of Cologne got a bulletin that I was headed there because it was busy!

I then went to the Aldstad area and saw two more Christmas markets. Altmarkt and Heusmarkt. These markets were slightly different from the first market.

Now I went to many Christmas Markets over 3 weeks but each market has a different feel. Sometimes it’s easy to distinguish and say oh it’s the Scandinavian theme market. But sometimes it’s just where it is and the people around, so it’s harder to describe what is different

I admit it – I am a chocoholic. So of course I had to go the chocolate museum. The chocolate museum is only a good place if you love chocolate The history of cacao beans and chocolate in detail. There is a beautiful Lindt cafe with a view if you want to stop for coffee and cake. But so crowded!! In fact the whole town feels ridiculously busy and crowded.

I walked back towards the hotel via Hofe Strase checking out the shops and there were a lot of sales on! At the hotel by 4:30pm. I was starting to feel the jet lag so had an hour rest.

Decided to try the Fruh Am Dom beer garden which I think is recommended by Rick Steves but it was so crowded I decided to go to the Christmas market for dinner. A potato pancake called Reibekuchen I think and Nutella crepe for dinner. No I did not have the gluhwein. I thought I was feeling whacky enough with jet lag bed at 8:30

Here's a link to Day 2 with accompanying photos
http://redsuitcasetravel.blogspot.co...dventures.html

Gamewood

Enjoying your report!

I am considering a solo trip to Southern Spain this fall so I am curious about your experience with passport control. Was there extra scrutiny because you were travelling alone?

Looking forward to the next instalment.

Ozgirl07

Gamewood - Maybe the passport control officer was having a bad day .... Or because I am lighted skinned Indian and therefore ethnic looking. Or as my brother said to me - it's just my funny face

Check out was painless at the Ibis. They emailed me the invoice and I dropped my key off at reception. Picked up breakfast and snack for train from the ReWe. Time to take the train to Berlin. There was some stuff up with the carriage and seat numbering. I had a seat reservation in carriage 25, but there was no carriage 25!


13 December Cologne to Berlin

By the way, 2nd class seating in German is very nice. Clean comfortable and for some reason it feels safe. I tucked my suitcase between 2 rows of seats.

As soon as I arrived in Berlin I went to the Tourist Information Office in the train station and bought my ABC zone Berlin Welcome card with 5 day travel pass for E39.50.


The staff at the TI were fantastic. Friendly, efficient and quick. In minutes I was on my way to Hackescher Markt. Started to drizzle as soon as I got out of the S-Bahn. Which by the way is around the corner from the Adina Apartment Hotel where I was staying. Check in was very smooth. Within minutes I was in my huge room with a small kitchen area and a big king sized bed. I had views of the TV tower and St Nikolai church. I had heard of Dolores Mexican in the neighbourhood so I set off in the slight drizzle to find it. This area was completely closed for a Sunday.

Not even the Kaiser supermarket was open. Found Dolores and had a delicious burrito bowl and corn chips with guacamole for E9.50.


I came back to the hotel to freshen up before taking the bus 100 to Brandenburg gate. Bus 100 runs along all the tourist sites and is very useful bus to remember.

So the plan was to go to Brandenburg gate for the Sandemans walking tour of Christmas. Berlin looked so pretty in early evening....

I found the Starbucks in front of the gate where all the Sandemans walking tours leave from. An Australia lass called Lucy was our guide for the Christmas markets tour. We went to Potsdam Platz for the first market and included in the 15E price of the tour was a ride in the ice slide! There were 7 of us on tour and we all took the plunge down the slide! We followed up with 4 other markets including a huge one at Alexander Platz with all its carnival rides and the atmospheric Nikolaivertel. We finished with Scandinavian market in Pranzlaurberg. I had some sweet gluhwein and a flammkuchen. Finally at the end of the night I bid a fond good night to the lovely tour guide and my new friends. This time my Citymapper app told me to catch the tram. I found the tram stop but it was the wrong one. I heard a young lady speaking English and asked her to point me towards the correct stop but she was kind enough to walk me to my stop. People in Berlin are so friendly and helpful. I found that people generally go out of their way to be nice. And they all speak very good English!

You might ask why I don't have any photos. That's because it was freezing!! But clear.

Let me tell you about a little app called Citymapper which is brilliant for directions. I used it London, Paris and of course in Berlin. If you have data on your phone plan (I do) or if the city you are in has free public wi-fi, you are in luck. If you do as the app says, you will not get lost. No guarantees if you get distracted by the sights around and forget to follow instructions.

Here are the accompanying photos http://redsuitcasetravel.blogspot.co...to-berlin.html

Adelaidean

Always enjoy your reports.
After being on one of those trains that 'splits' and heads off in 2 directions, I'm a stickler for asking if I'm on the right carriage.

Ozgirl07

Thanks Adelaidean. Hoping to post at one entry a day.

Ozgirl07

14 December First full Day in Berlin

First full day in Berlin I planned to do the Sandemans free Berlin highlights walking tour but then saw that the Berlin Welcome Card gave me a discount to the Insider Berlin tour which left from in front of the S-Bahn right by my hotel. First though I went to the Kaiser supermarket to pick up breakfast provisions. But I was tempted into stopping at the Kamps bakery for a quick breakfast. I was so hungry and the nice lady in Kamps made me a veggie roll which I had with coffee.

Quick note – I was surprised that most places in Europe do machine coffees. As in you ask for a café latte and they press a button on the machine to fill a cup. No barista made coffee like we get in Adelaide.

The tour started at 10:30am with another Australian guide, Taylor. This tour runs for 4 hours and costs 9E with the Welcome Card discount. We were given a 25 minute break in the middle. The 4 hours just flew past. I need to mention that it was freezing! Started off -1C and ended up at high of 2C before dropping down to -2C.

Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging. Loved the experience and felt it well worth the time. We saw so much:


- Museum Island with a fog shrouded Berliner Dom
- Bebel Platz
- Gendarmenmarkt
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
- Checkpoint Charlie
- Building that once housed the SS Headquarters
- The car park over Hitler’s Bunker
- The Reichstag
- And more…..

At 2:30pm we ended up near Brandenburg gate and I joined the Sandemans Alternative Berlin walking tour. Funnily enough this was with Taylor's wife Lyndsay, a very nice Scottish lass.

The Starbucks near Brandenburg gate has free toilets but they were out of order! Panic until Lyndsay said to use the Haagen Das cafe's loo where they charge 50c. Well nobody asked so I brazenly used and left

The Alternative Berlin tour took us to Hackescher Markt where we went into one of the courtyards were people/artists used to squat. Graffiti is legal here and it truly is art.

We then went to the East side gallery where a section of the Berlin Wall has been retained and covered with graffiti. We also explored the Kreuzberg area. We saw the various squats and graffiti marked buildings. Lyndsay took us to a squat called Kopi Berlin. From the outside the building looked derelict but we were assured that we could go for a walk inside.

We also saw the tree house where a man has legally lived with his family for the last 40 years. We then went to an area around Warschauer. There were a bunch of graffiti filled buildings that looked abandoned but were in fact full of cafes, bars, clubs, gyms even a rock climbing centre. This was a predominantly Turkish area full of nightlife venues. This place would be were the hipsters would hang out after 12am not me

So bidding our guide a farewell, a few of us went back towards the S-Bahn. Near the station we decide to grab a kebab and I went for the falafel. Delicious and cheap! 2.70E

I took the S-Bahn straight to Hackescher Markt. As I walked into my room, I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror and yelped in horror. I had 2 bright red rashes on my cheeks! It had been so cold that I had a cold rash! Luckily this cleared up by the next day.

The Adina Hotel does a very good happy hour so I popped back down for a cocktail and to catch up on emails. Another early one for this tired little bunny. I would say that I walked/stood for 7+ hours with a 25 min break.


Here's a link to accompanying photos http://redsuitcasetravel.blogspot.co...in-berlin.html

Adelaidean

I am possibly doing a part solo trip (maybe Berlin part) next year, so am keeping notes (but 2 walking tours in 1 day is not for me I'm too lazy!)

Ozgirl07

15 December Berliner Dom, Reichstag and Gendarmenmarkt Weihnachtsmarkt


I had prebooked a guided tour of the Reichstag building online before leaving home. The time of tour was 1pm and it was a cold & sunny day. I had a sleep in (for me that means getting up 8am instead of 6am) and then breakfast in my room.

I thought I’d have a look around the Berliner Dom and walk down Unter Den Linden to the Reichstag.

But first a bit of late morning tea at the Kemps bakery. I have to say the service and food quality was impressive at this chain bakery.

Another thing, I recommend the Hackescher Markt area for first timers to Berlin. It is so well connect by S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram and bus. Or you can just walk to most tourist sights. I don’t think I can travel in a big city without the city mapper app. I think I may have forgotten to read maps! Back to the area, I loved the vibe of this area. There are tons of restaurants and bars. Plus many high street shops such as Muji, Mango, H&M, Weekday, Hugo Boss, etc. But tucked in between are some genuine little boutiques.

Berliner Dom is an impressive church inside and out. It is famous for its massive organ – I’m sorry if that sounds rude J There is an entry charge of 7E. I was lucky that they were practicing for the evening service and I got hear the organ in person.

I spent maybe 45 minutes walking inside the various sections of the church including the upstairs gallery, but decided not to attempt the 250+ steps to climb the dome itself.

So I continued walking up Unter Den Linden. I got to the Reichstag a little early for the tour and waited with a group on the same tour. The security was quite strict but they didn’t give me a hard time about my little leather backpack. Maybe because it looked like a handbag. We had to wait a few minutes in the impressive foyer for our tour begin.

We were shown the Parliamentary meeting rooms and the old sections of the original Reichstag building. The Russian graffiti was quite interesting. The tour was 90 minutes long and followed by dome walk with audio guide. Clever audio guide changes chapters as you walk up the winding ramp of the Reichstag dome. I loved the glass dome! There are many photos of the old Reichstag and the burned building.

Berlin has so much history!!

I decided to a bite to eat at the restaurant up there but the food was very average. I had a disappointing salad.

I needed a bit of Christmas cheer and decided to go to the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market.

On my way, I popped into the Ampelmann store and bought some cute magnets and a computer mouse mat. I walked past Galleries Lafeyette. Normally I would have gone in but that Christmas market was shining like a beacon.

Oh it was magical! It cost 1E to enter but the food options were the best I had seen. I walked around looking at the arts and crafts on sale. Some of the items were beautiful pieces of art. I had a gluhwein and enjoyed some golden oldies music with a bunch of professional women visiting from out of town. They didn’t really speak much English but they were in high spirits and happy to have one more join their group. Finally I had hot pumpkin soup from the vegan place for dinner. I decided to catch a bus to the hotel.

Here is a link to some photos and a video of the organ music http://redsuitcasetravel.blogspot.co...hstag-and.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KsQadNdi2U

Bokhara2

Thoroughly enjoying your report, blog & pics. Thanks oz girl

Ozgirl07

Adelaidean - Berlin is a great city to visit. It's very spread out but well connected through public transport. It's also very safe by all accounts. Good luck! As I write this report I'm planning my next holiday - to Spain and Portugal. It's looking like it might be another solo trip....

Thanks Bokhara2.

Adelaidean

Just checked your hotel, gets good reviews for location, etc, have noted that, thanks.

Ozgirl07

16 December Daytrip to Potsdam

I had planned to go on the Sandemans walking tour of Potsdam and luckily the day was beautifully sunny.

Potsdam is just outside Berlin. To get there you need the C zone in the ABC travel card. The Berlin travel card is valid for public transport in Potsdam.

I had some breakfast in my hotel room and took bus 100 to Brandenberg Gate. I arrived a bit early for the tour and took loads of photos of the gate and the surrounding points of interest. Including the Adlon Hotel where a famous pop star dangled his baby off the balcony to the paparazzi camped outside.

I also popped into the DZ Bank to see the amazing architecture of the foyer. Designed by architect Frank Gehry it is absolutely incredible. It’s supposed to represent a whale and the sea covered with a glass domed roof. The Bank was actually closed but as I was peering in the windows, a security guard came out. I thought here we go, he’s going to tell me to move on. But no, the lovely gentleman asked me if I wanted to take a look inside. Yes please! They were setting up for a function inside but I got to take loads of photos.

I went to Starbucks to meet the guide Rochelle, a young Canadian architect. She was so friendly and outgoing.

I can genuinely say that I probably enjoyed the walking tours in Berlin more than any other city. The guides were all fun, young, outgoing, enthusiastic and had a good enough knowledge of the city and its history.

Once the group was assembled we took the U-Bahn to the Berlin HBF and from there took the S-Bahn (?) to Potsdam. I think there were 12 of us. A really fun group of all ages. By the time we got to Potsdam we were great friends. I think we got off one stop before the city of Potsdam and headed straight for the Sanssouci palace and the surrounding parks. It was magnificent day; cold, clear and sunny. The park came to life with the stories Rochelle was telling us about the great Prussian kings. The Soldier King, Frederick William I and his son Fredrick the Great. Rulers of the Prussian empire in the 17th and 18th centuries. Potsdam is well worth the visit as gives a different type of history to the World War 2 and Cold War history which looms over Berlin itself.
We took the bus into Potsdam and had lunch. There was a cute Christmas Market in the center of town and the other Brandenburg gate. I bought myself a beanie hat with a cute little furry pompom

We had a quick look around the Dutch district in Potsdam before heading to more parks and gardens.

We took the bus into Potsdam and had lunch. There was a cute Christmas Market in the center of town and the other Brandenburg gate. I bought myself a beanie hat with a cute little furry pompom

We had a quick look around the Dutch district in Potsdam before heading to more parks and gardens.
We took the bus into Potsdam and had lunch. There was a cute Christmas Market in the center of town and the other Brandenburg gate. I bought myself a beanie hat with a cute little furry pompom

We had a quick look around the Dutch district in Potsdam before heading to more parks and gardens.

Here are the accompanying photos http://redsuitcasetravel.blogspot.co...o-potsdam.html