"Berlin, a City of two Halves....."
You can really experience and feel the different histories of the two sides of Berlin. The cultural diversity of the city is also something to behold.
That is what makes the German capital so special.
Berlin is the heart of Germany. Berlin has a heart all of its own that beats through the fabulous historic buildings, exquisite restaurants and glamourous nightclubs.
Tourism is on the the rise, as visitors come to savour the intoxicating mix of old and new.
Berlin was divided in 1961, when the Russians took control of the Eastern sector. Since reunification, Berlin has rejuvenated itself. Berlin is the proud host of 170 museums, 135 theatres and 3 opera houses. Enough to keep any culture vulture happy.
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What to see in the West
Berlin Tourist Attractions
A walk along Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate is both relaxing and refreshing. Besides the tree lined avenue, you will bump into the Reichstag, the German parliament building.
The Reichstag was refurbished after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The redesign of the Reichstag was orchestrated by Sir Norman Foster. The Reichstag was originally built in the late 19th century, but burned down in 1933. The Reichstag is open to the public, but queues can be an hour long.
Expedia has three nights B&B in a Berlin Three Star Hotel for £158.
Berlin Museums
The Museum scene taps Berlin’s rich history
With a sort of arts revival taking hold after the fall of the Berlin wall, and the subsequent establishment of many art galleries studios and so on, some being converted from industrial buildings, Berlin’s museum sector has seen thriving growth in the past two decades as well.
The Pergamon Altar, works from Caravaggio to Caspar David Friedrich to Baselitz are just a few of the finds you may come across at a Berlin museum.
With the opening of the Berggruen Collection at the Stulerbau in Charlottenburg Palace, which houses a Picasso exhibit and the museum of Contemporary art opening in the late 90s, Berlin boasts one of the most intense museum scenes in the world.
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Where to Shop in Berlin
If shopping is your thing, you should definitely wander over to the Kurfurstendamm Berlin's famous shopping street.
KaDeWe can be found on Tauentzienstrasse 21-24. This upmarket department store has 5 storeys. KadeWe is Berlin's equivalent of Harrods and has a splendid array of wares to browse. KaDeWe is best known for its food hall, where fresh delicacies such as caviar to Japanese fish are flown in from all over the world.
There are several shopping areas in Berlin.
You may wish to try Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, Friedrichstrasse, and Kurfurstendamm mentioned above.
The Flohmarkt (flea market) takes place every weekend on Strasse des 17 Juni, Tiergarten. This market attracts many types of stalls from food to handicrafts. It is a great day out.
Lastly you can try the Hackescher Markt on Weinmeisterstrasse. This market is occupied by a variety of fashionable concessions. It opens at 4pm and closes at midnight.
If you are looking for younger and trendy fare try Prenzlauer Berg.
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Expedia has three nights B&B in a Berlin Three Star Hotel for £158.