This year I decided to begin my travels across the world, after all I had spent the past twenty years in education and the past four years in the UK, because when you study fashion at university apparently there is no such thing as a summer holiday. So I convinced my parents that I was responsible enough (yes I know) to travel without their chaperoning... if you have Arab parents you'll know this is a lot more difficult than it sounds.
So after my parents released the reins, our first adventure was booked. My friends and I (who also had a fun time convincing their parents) decided on Berlin. I have always been fascinated by German history and plus its not the other side of the world which put our anxious parents at ease.
As soo as we landed in Germany we took a taxi to our hotel in Zoologischer Garten (A central location,& a 5 minute walk from one of the largest Malls in Berlin- Bikini Berlin). We checked in to drop off our belongings so we could go out and explore. We actually booked a Sandemans New Berlin FREE tour to familiarise ourselves with our surroundings. Our meeting point was the beautiful Brandenburg Gate in Pazier Platz. In true Arab style, we were late.
Things to do & see
- Brandenburg Gate - This is Berlin's most famous landmark. A symbol of Berlin and German division during the Cold War, it is now a national symbol of peace and unity.
- Pariser Platz - This is the square behind the Brandenburg Gate where we met our group and Tour guide. Its very touristy with gift shops, cafes and Horse and carts everywhere.
- Holocaust Memorial - as pictured bellow, is a series of 2,7011 concrete slabs of assorted height placed adjacent to each other left without a title or explanation, purposely left down to individual interpretation.
On our way to the tour we saw world leaders being escorted to the refugee criss conference held in Parliament, which was brilliant since just two days earlier Germany was one of the first countries to announce the accpetance of Syrian refugees- this made us appreciate Germany a whole lot more.
- Hitler´s Bunker - nowadays this is just a basic functioning car park. No markings, no memorial, no structure,deliberately done to leave no trace for Neo-Nazis. This is the spot where Hitler committed suicide in 1945 - they didn't mark this spot until the World Cup in 2006. although there were no markings its crazy to think of just how differently the city was laid out back in the day.
- Trabi World - is such a cool place to see, everybody stopped for photos here. Trabi World offers tours of the city in old fashioned crazily wrapped and painted cars.
- Luftwaffe HQ - at the time of World War II this was known as The German Ministry of Aviation ,a huge building, typical of Nazi architecture – intimidating and designed to make you feel small. It surprisingly survived the bombing with very little damage. With 2000 offices inside its now a government building.
- The Berlin Wall - To be honest with you, we were very unimpressed with the section of the Berlin Wall we were shown on the tour (shown bellow) but this was probably down to us...I have no idea what we were expecting but it wasn't a cement wall... Which is what the Berlin wall actually is, haha. The historical knowledge from our guide was very engaging though.
- SS Headquarters - is now a street in Berlin but it is best known for having been the location of the headquarters of the Reich Main Security Office,the SS in Nazi Germany. The site is now marked by the Topography of Terror memorial and museum which includes a permanent exhibition (just behind the part of the wall pictured above)that tells the worst of Nazism and its crimes.
- Checkpoint Charlie - This was such a cool buzzing part of town. Checkpoint Charlie was Berlin's crossing point between West and East Berlin between 1961 and 1989, they were divided by just a white hand drawn line.
- Gendarmenmarkt - Was the second to last destination on our tour,pictured bellow. Gendarmenmarkt is a square in Berlin and the site of an architectural ensemble including the Konzerthaus and the French and German Churches. In the centre of the square stands a monumental statue of Germany's renowned poet Friedrich Schiller.
Outside the city hall & the home of the Konzerthausorchester.
- Babelplatz - The Bebelplatz is known as the site of one of the infamous Nazi book burning ceremonies held in the evening of 10 May 1933 in many German university cities. There is a pretty cool memorial in the ground here. We decided to be 'students' at Humboldt University ... oh, and we snuck in successfully, taking a peek at the huge famous library. Haha.
- The Berlin A Dom - aka Berlin Cathedral. We stumbled across the cathedral on our stroll through the city. Little did we know it is in fact the largest church in the city, and it serves as a vital center for the Protestant church of Germany as well as being one of Berlins main attractions.
The view from the top featuring the Fernsehturm de Berlin which we visited for dinner one evening. The views are wonderful.
The next day we went outside of the city for an excursion which I will do a separate post about, however our Berlin adventures continued! We ventured back to:
- Museum Island - Berlin’s Museum Island is the northern tip of the Spree Island - and it is also a magnificent work of art itself, involving five world-renowned museums gathered in an extraordinary ensemble. Unfortunately we didn't have time to visit all five but we did visit our first choice.
- The Lustgarten - aka The Pleasure Garden is a park on Museum Island in central Berlin. At various times in its history, the park has been used as a parade ground, a place for mass rallies and a public park. But now the park and the architecture around it are just eye candy. We loved taking photos here (even though it was really windy this day)!
A quick self portrait.
The other side of the Berlin A Dom.
- Neues Museum(New Museum) - Since the museum reopened in 2009, the Egyptian Museum and the Museum of Prehistory and Early History have once again found a place to display their treasures. The showpiece of the New Museum is the bust of Nefertiti- which has been on my Bucket list for years and I was elated when I found out it was in Berlin! YAY!
The structure of the museum itself is phenomenal, and the aesthetics are to die for. You can op for the audio guide for the museum for an additional €3 or so. The museum uses iPods so they're very easy to operate and the audio is really informative.
Where to stay?
There are only two places to stay if you want the five star treatment and a good location all in one in Berlin.
- Hotel Arlon Kempinski - A luxury hotel, probably my number one choice. It is located on the main boulevard in the central Mitte district, directly opposite the Brandenburg Gate. Guests such as Michael Jackson, Charlie Chaplin, Barack Obama, and Brad Pitt have all stayed.
- The Waldorf Astoria - The Waldorf Astoria is our number one choice, why? because of the Presidential suite, amazing views, service, location, food, staff,Pool, architecture, interior, everything. Everything.
The presidential suite with 180 degree views.
Our evening sunset views were just perfect.
Every little detail was just phenomenal.
TIPS:
- If you have a student card ask to use it anywhere and everywhere in Berlin, some attractions are even free to student card holders.
- Remember to Stamp aka 'Validate' your train/bus tickets or you may be fined.
- Public transport here is terrific, avoid taking Taxis (especially if you are staying in Zoologgarten) because everything is either a walk away or a bus ride away.
- Do try to learn how to say 'Please' (bitte pronounced BIT-tuh) 'Thank you'(Danke, pronounced DAN-keh) and 'You're welcome' (Bitte sehr, pronounced - BIT-tuh zayr). The Germans appreciate good manners.
No comments:
Post a Comment