Berlin - A City Transformed

by Abigail Vint

Two simple lines of brick. A reminder of what once was. It stretches across the part of the city where the Wall that divided a nation once stood.

It's been almost 15 years since the Berlin Wall came crumbling down. There was not just one wall that divided this nation but two. And these lines of brick, spread across the city, are on the exact paths of the walls that once stood.

Today, Berlin has become one of the top city destinations in Europe. It has experienced growth and rebirth like no other place. Museums, bars, restaurants, historical monuments and a culture of people rich in diversity - there is so much to choose from.

The main Tourist office in Berlin is located in the Europa-Centre, Budapester Strasse 45. There are other locations at the Brandenburger Tor and the Fernsehturm at Alexanderplatz.

Traveler Type: Berlin is not a destination that discriminates. Whether it's a weekend with your sweetheart or a week with the kids, you'll be able to find something for everyone.

Berlin is romantic. Stroll along the Spree River or take a seat at quiet café--there are numerous cultural items to choose from. Check a guidebook for daily hours and discounted rates.

The city has a lot of history for families who wish to enjoy a learning holiday. Plus, the Zoologischer Garten und Zoo-Aquarium Berlin (Berlin Zoo) offers lots of green space to keep the kids occupied. Their web site is in German.

For Families: Want a night away from the kids on your two-week holiday? Try the Erlebniswelt Kinderinsel An English version of the site is available. This is a children's hotel with 24-hour supervision. It allows you to have a romantic and family holiday combined.

Costs: Berlin can be an expensive city. It's not hard, however, to find things to do that don't involve spending too much money.

Accommodation costs can range from 10 to 400 euros a night. Hostels will be more reasonable for the budget traveller ranging from 10 to 25 euros a night, however, during peak season in the summer, the prices definitely rise and availability drops. Be sure to book in advance in you're visiting during these months or on the weekend.

Cheap eating is not difficult. Grab a kebab, sausage or sandwich on the fly for no more than five euros. Dinner prices can range from eight to 25 euros a plate.

The city itself is a walking museum. There aren't many cities that can boast the oldest and newest architecture in Europe. Wander. Explore. For free.

You will want to also take in some of the spectacular museums, especially those located on Museum Island. These range in admission price from five to 10 euros. Be sure to check the museum web sites for the most up-to-date opening times and prices.

Places to Stay: Many travel guidebooks can provide you with more details about places to stay. The following are just a few suggestions.

Budget: A wide range of backpacker hostels are located in various areas in the city. Mitte Backpackers offers creative rooms such as the penthouse or the honeymoon suite. Other popular hostels in the area include Circus - the Hostel and Lette'm Sleep.

Expensive: If you're into art, you'll want to check out the Propeller Island City Lodge Hotel. Every room is thematically decorated with handmade furniture. If you like to stay where the famous go, try the Hotel Adlon. Many diplomats and presidents have stayed here, along with Michael Jackson and his dangling children.

Best Time of Year to Go: April, May, June and October are still in season but may not be as pricey and the weather will not be cold. Summer is busy July, August and September will be the most expensive months but the weather will be the nicest. It all depends on your budget.

Top Five Must-Dos

1. Walking Tour, preferably Brewer's Best of Berlin. For 10 euros, they give you about eight hours of all the history you need to know about the city. Many people consider Berlin to be the best city to spend the money on a walking tour. Brewer's Best of Berlin Tour is the longest, most concise and best bang for your buck. Plus, it includes all of the must see-sights, which is why some of the more famous places like the Wall remains and the Reichstag are not included in the rest of this list.
2. Checkpoint Charlie Museum. The amount of information in this museum is a bit overwhelming but it is worth an hour or so. Find out about stories of people pushed to desperation to get to family members on the other side of the wall.
3. Topography of Terror Museum - This museum features a historical look at the reign of the Nazis. Its location is a suitable one - in the excavated basements of Prinz Albrecht Palais, the headquarters of the SS and Gestapo. Terrifying and fascinating all at the same time - visiting the city means taking in all of its history. It's an important stop along your way to Berlin discovery.
4. Potsdamer Platz - Imagine rebuilt urban areas - what would they look like? Potsdamer Platz resembles something right out of the Jetsons. This is modern architecture at its best - a circular courtyard area, which makes you feel like you are inside and outside at the exact same time. Modern restaurants, a movie theatre and a film museum are just some of the current tenants of these futuristic buildings. It's fitting that a place so desolate during the period of the Berlin Wall would become such a hub of social activity. In the 1920s and 30s Potsdamer Platz was the shopping and cultural center of the city. It was devastated during allied bombing in World War II and reduced to a deserted area during Wall years. But the Platz is back - and it's looking hipper than ever.
5. A local bar or cafe. People who live in this city have so much to say. Since the fall of the wall, there has been a rejuvenation of the human spirit. There is a great sense of hope about everyone you come across. There are many of these eccentric hot spots - look around and discover one for yourself.

Sources:
Fodors
Lonely Planet