Trifter

Once divided by the ‘Wall’, Berlin is now a vibrant city begging to be explored. Home to world-renowned museums, diverse architecture, orchestras and a thriving night scene, it has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations. Take a boat, bike the bicycle friendly streets or be educated on a fascinating walking tour, the options to discover this fascinating metropolis are endless.

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Numerous river-beach bars, countless cafés, restaurants and historical sights grace the elegant shores. If that’s not enough, many of the city’s most gracious edifices and leafy parks are perched upon the banks of the Spree. The best way to explore them is a boat trip along the waters that encompass many of the sights and smells of the city. Marvel at Potsdamer Platz an important public meeting place, the Reichstag the first parliament of the German Empire, Museum Island and Berlin Cathedral. At Spreewald the river splits into hundreds of canals and streams and is surrounded by a flourishing rainforest. Also of interest is the northern part of Spree Island, a district dedicated to fabulous art and antiquities.

Berlin itself has over 150 museums and places of interest that reflect the diverse culture of Europe. The Gemäldegalerie which translates as the Painting Gallery contains an impressive collection of old masters, while the Neue Nationalgalerie specializes in twentieth century European painting. Of particular note are the Allied Museum that focuses on the Cold War, the site of Checkpoint Charlie one of the renowned crossing points of the Berlin Wall, and the Beate Uhse Erotic Museum the world’s largest erotic museum.

Getting around Berlin is relatively easy, an extensive network system of underground lines known as the U-Bahn, urban railway lines, S-Bahn, buses and trams operate to nearly anywhere you could want to go. Night buses and night trains allow speedy and safe journeys to most of Berlin’s hottest drinking spots.

When the sun does go down, its time to be entertained and Berlin does not disappoint. Claiming to have one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in Europe, it is a city of vast and varied options. But be warned, the city is constantly changing and evolving, one venue closes another opens, nothing is ever the same. The interiors are vast, funky and sometimes bizarrely strange. Take a current guide book, ask around or engage in an organized pub-crawl for the latest and best offerings. Don’t forget Berlin is also home to one of Europe’s most uninhibited erotica scenes. After all it was here that Lisa Minnelli shot to fame at the Kit-Kat Club in the movie Cabaret. June sees Berlin become a Mecca for the Christopher Street Day – Central Europe’s largest gay-lesbian pride event. The techno carnival Love Parade, the largest techno gathering in the world, JazzFest Berlin, and Karneval der Kulturen, the four day concert that celebrates the cultural diversity that makes up the city, are concoctions of music, street parades and multi ethnic treats.

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Further a field is Potsdam, the summer residence of the Prussian kings. The palace is situated amongst spacious parks. The city centre of Potsdam with the picturesque Dutch quarter is an attractive day trip for anybody visiting Berlin.