CITY GUIDE
"Berlin, the greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine."
- David Bowie
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BIRTHDAY -
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1244 AD
POPULATION -
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3,388,000
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AKA -
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East Berlin and West Berlin,
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Berlin - Colln
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MEANING -
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A scaffold of beams built over a river to prevent logs from jamming
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RIVER -
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Spree River
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Originally there were settlements either side of the Spree River, Berlin and Colln.
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In 1307 they made an alliance.
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In 1432 they were united.
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In 1806 the French occupied the city for two years.
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In 1871 it became the Capital of Germany and in 1877 it;s population topped the one million mark. It nearly doubled in the next 23 years.
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In 1933 Hitler took control of germany and the 1936 Olympics were held here.
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By 1945 the city was in ruins and Hitler was dead.
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The allies split the city into 4 sectors and the Russians tried to annex the whole city for themselves. The allies initiated the Berlin airlift and kept the supply line open by air for 11 months.
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To stop the brain drain and all of their best and brightest going over to the west, the Communists surrounded West Berlin with a wall in 1961.
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28 years later it was pulled down and in 1991 Berlin became the capital of Germany again.
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In 2006 they hosted the World Cup.
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May to September, the other months and especially winter are freezing, though cheap.
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STAY - Most hotels are available on Booking.com unless otherwise stated. It's best to get bookings with free cancellation and pay on site when you get there. Hotels chosen are usually 3*** or 4 or 5 if they are good value. They are chosen firstly for their location, value for money, positive testimonials regarding cleanliness and service and features like rooftop terraces and great views.
Since the end of Covid a lot of prices have gone through the roof. So if the selected hotel is out of your price range click on the location map and choose something cheaper nearby. Or you might prefer something else but try to stay in the same area.
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BOOKINGS - everything should be booked well in advance and always go for skip the queue options when available for anything popular
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NAVIGATING - before you go download Maps.me and all the maps you'll need plus Google Maps and download the offline maps
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VISA - Click here for information
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New Entry Requirements for Travel into EU in 2025
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Reichstag
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Brandenburg Gate
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The Wall
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Museum Island
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Checkpoint Charlie
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Charlottenburg Palace
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Jewish Museum
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German Museum of Technology
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Topography of Terror
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Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
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FUN FACT -
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When JFK said "Ich bin ein Berliner" it could be interpreted to say "I am a jelly doughnut". Normally they would say "Ich bi Berliner". However a "berliner" in Berlin is called a “Pfannkuchen”.
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FLIGHTS -
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The main airport for Berlin is the Brandenburg Berlin Airport (BER)
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AIRPORT TRANSFER - Brandenburg Berlin Airport (BER) 25km south of the city
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Airport express train is fastest
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Taxi
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Berlin 1990
Trabies - East Berlin 1990
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Once you have bought your airline tickets get some travel insurance to cover your outlay
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SAFETY -
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Berlin is safe, however look out for the usual pick pockets and petty thieves.
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FOOD - Meat Lovers Rejoice​
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Spätzle (noodles)
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Schnitzel - World's best
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Great pub meals
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Eisbein (Pork knuckle)
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Konigsberger Klopse (meatballs)
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Berlin eats 70,000,000 Currywurst a year
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There are more kebab shops than in Istanbul ​
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Mustafas Gemusedöner the best doner in the world
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Late night Currywurst mit pommes (chips / fries)
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Europe's clubbing capital with no closing times. Live concerts, jazz clubs, pubs, bars, no dress code, breakfast all hours, public transport all night long, don't hurry home.
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SIDETRIP -
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To Dresden 2N and Leipzig 2N. If you want to do the canal boat tour in Leipzig start the trip on a Saturday or Sunday.
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COSTS -
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Berlin is good value compared to other capitals in western Europe, so you should be stay somewhere around budget. If you stay in a hostel. Otherwise you'll need to take a bit extra for accommodation. Plus you'll want to be doing a few things like the Trabi Safari. So bring lots.
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GETTING AROUND -
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Good public transport, all night long on weekends, ride the U and S Bahns which used to pass through Ghost Stations in East Berlin back in the Wall days.
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MUST DO -
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Self Drive Trabi Tour / David Bowie in Berlin Tour / Checkpoint Charlie Museum
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SHOPPING -
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No Mans Land
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BERLIN WEEKENDER 3N
HIGHLIGHTs - lebensfreude
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1 Berlin - 3N
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Berlin is one of the world's great cities. It's history in the 20th century alone would be hard to believe if it wasn't true.​ Berliners themselves are very tolerant, non material and love a good time. Use the U-Bahn system to get around.
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Learn about what everyday life was like living in a divided city and hear some of the incredible and heroic stories of how people made their escape to freedom. And how life changed dramatically when the wall did come down. There are some great eateries and a good sampling of Berlin's amazing and crazy bars.
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A few suggestions for your Berlin Playlist - Bowie Heroes, Where are we now - Fischer Z Berlin - Lou Reed Berlin and a few more.
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Stay at or nearby Hotel Johann - in lively Kreuzberg 10 minutes walk from the trendy restaurants and bars of Bergmannstrasse - 700 metres from an underground station, bicycle rental, close to Checkpoint Charlie and the Jewish Museum.
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On your first day get a bike from reception and check out what is around the neighbourhood.
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Visit the Jewish Museum
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Brandenburg Gate if you can fit them all in. You'll need a while to take it all in.
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Head out for a meal and a night out at Bergmannstrasse. With some late night Currywurst.
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2
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Have a bit of a sleep in and enjoy the buffet breakfast at the hotel. Have your Trabi Safari booked for 11.30. This will take an hour or two depending on which one you book. I recommend doing the longer one otherwise you'll be doubling up on the East Side Gallery and driving around your own neighbourhood of Kreuzberg. By then it should be lunch time.
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After lunch make your way to the Ostbahnhof Railway Station, head to the river, turn left and follow the East Side Gallery wall for 1.3 kms. It has 100 murals on it painted by artists from 21 countries. When you come to the end you can go in the Wall Museum. Grab a cab and head to the Stasi Museum to see what went on on the eastern side of the wall.
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Head home to freshen up for the evening. Pick something off of this list to do something different then hit the clubs later on if you're up to it.
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3
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A few options today. Some of you may have had enough of walls and war and want to see another side of Berlin. Perhaps a River Cruise, UNESCO Heritage Listed Museum Island, do a David Bowie tour, see the city from the TV Tower or the World Balloon, Alexanderplatz (Berlins largest public square) and the Unter den Linten (one of Berlins most important roads)
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Others may still have a list of iconic attractions they still want to cross off. Some more must see sites include the DDR Museum, Airport Tempelhof Tour, the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, the Tranenpalast (Crossover point between East and West, Berlin Story Bunker, the Topography of Terror, the Holocaust Memorial, German Spy Museum, the Reichstag or maybe do a bit of both lists.
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Last night, so better make it one to remember. How about the 666 Anti Pub Crawl, or a big night of Cabaret, or some live music in Underground Venues.
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4
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Time to head to the airport and home. Or stick around and do the extended stay below.​
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The Brandenburg Gate
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MEET BERLIN 10N
HIGHLIGHTS - the past, present & the future
Berlin 4N - Dresden 2N - Leipzig 2N - Berlin 2N = 10N
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Museums​ - Topography of Terror (Gestapo, SS) - Jewish - UNESCO Museum Island - Berlin Story Bunker (Hitlers) - Checkpoint Charlie - Trabi - Tranenpalast (Crossover point from West to East) - DDR (Life in the East) - Stasi (DDR Secret Police) - New and Old - Technology - Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp - Magic
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Icons - The Wall - Brandenburg Gate - Checkpoint Charlie
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Tours - Trabi - David Bowie - Underground - Cold War - Boat - Tempelhof Airport - Communist - Kombi - Hop On Hop Off Bus - Third Reich - Olympic Stadium - Street Art and Graffiti - Beer Tasting
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Daytrips - Potsdam (UNESCO Status / Sanssouci Park and Palace) - DIY Walking Tour and river cruise.
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Overnighters - Dresden (Before it was fire bombed almost out of existence towards the end of WWII Dresden was known as the German Florence. The ensuing fire storm sucked the oxygen out of the air and suffocated people fleeing the flames. The city burned for days. After the war it was part of East Germany and left neglected. Thankfully now it has been restored to its former glory. It has reclaimed it's place as one of Europe's greatest Baroque cities. Situated along the Elbe River with it's palaces and other gracious buildings you will feel truly is a privileged to spend some time here. - Leipzig ("The New Berlin" is one of Europe's most livable cities and a popular tourist choice. In 1989 70,000 people gathered here to protest against their government and played a major role in bringing down the wall. You will love the Old Town and there are a couple of museums that will give you great insight into what everyday life was like in East Germany.)
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Buildings - Reichstag - Charlottenburg Palace - Fernsehturm TV Tower
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Areas - Alexander Platz - Potsdamer Platz - Holocaust Memorial (Maze)
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Eating - Currywurst mit Pommes (Iconic sausage and chips / fries) - Wiener Schnitzel (Better than in Vienna) - Kasespatzle (Noodles and Cheese) - Weekend Refugee Dinner (They cook you pay) - Markthalle Neun (Street Food Thursday) - Konigsberger Klopse (Meatballs) - Eisbein (Pork Knuckle) - Doner Kebap (there is a large Turkish population) - Berliner Pfannkuche (You know, the bun) - Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Cakes, sweet or savoury) - Senfeier (eggs, potato and mustard)
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Drinking - Stay in Kreuzberg in the heart of the nightlife action - Anti Pub Crawl (Lesser known places) - Beer Gardens (Prater garden) - Monkey bar (For the views) - Fairytale Bar (For weirdness) - Madame Claude (More weirdness in an ex-brothel) - Klunkerkranich (Big Rooftop Bar for sunsets) - Barbie Deinhoff’s (Humorous Art and Two for One Tuesdays)
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1 Berlin - 4N
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Berlin is one of the world's great cities. It's history in the 20th century alone would be hard to believe if it wasn't true.​ Berliners themselves are very tolerant, non material and love a good time. Use the U-Bahn system to get around. Use Google Maps to work out which trains and stations to take.
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Learn about what everyday life was like living in a divided city and hear some of the incredible and heroic stories of how people made their escape to freedom. And how life changed dramatically when the wall did come down. There are some great eateries and a good sampling of Berlin's amazing and crazy bars.
​
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A few suggestions for your Berlin Playlist - Bowie Heroes, Where are we now - Fischer Z Berlin - Lou Reed Berlin and a few more.
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Stay at or nearby Hotel Johann - in lively Kreuzberg 10 minutes walk from the trendy restaurants and bars of Bergmannstrasse - 700 metres from an underground station, bicycle rental, close to Checkpoint Charlie and the Jewish Museum.
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On your first day get a bike from reception and check out what is around the neighbourhood.
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Visit the Jewish Museum
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Brandenburg Gate if you can fit them all in. You'll need a while to take it all in.
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Head out for a meal and a night out at Bergmannstrasse. With some late night Currywurst.
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2
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Have a bit of a sleep in and enjoy the buffet breakfast at the hotel. Have your Trabi Safari booked for 11.30. This will take an hour or two depending on which one you book. I recommend doing the longer one otherwise you'll be doubling up on the East Side Gallery and driving around your own neighbourhood of Kreuzberg. By then it should be lunch time.
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After lunch make your way to the Ostbahnhof Railway Station, head to the river, turn left and follow the East Side Gallery wall for 1.3 kms. It has 100 murals on it painted by artists from 21 countries. When you come to the end you can go in the Wall Museum.
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Head home to freshen up for the evening. Pick something off of this list o do something different then hit the clubs later on if you're up to it.
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3
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A bit of a change of pace today. Have a break from walls and war and start the day with the morning David Bowie tour. Have some lunch and head over to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Museum Island. It has 5 museums plus the DDR Museum is just across the bridge. It is open until 9pm.
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For the evenings entertainment have a night of Cabaret with dinner and a show.
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4
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Day trip to Potsdam today. Take the U-Bahn and train to Potsdam Station and then the bus to -
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Sanssouci Palace. After looking around begin your walking tour, Maps.me will keep you on the right track. It's about 10 kms but spread over many hours with a lunch break and river cruise to look forward to.
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Brandenburg Gate leading on to prime shopping street
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Dutch Quarter - a good spot to stop for lunch
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Cecilienhof (Site of the Potsdam Conference)
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Glienicker Bridge (the Bridge of Spies)
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Old Market Square (Alter Markt) - on the way to where the boats depart
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Afternoon / Sunset River Cruise - The Castle Cruise recommended, at 90 mins it is the shortest one. Work out when you'll be ready and book online before the trip.
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Image by Caro Sodar from Pixabay
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Stick around for dinner (maybe something along the waterfront) and a few pubs for something different. Just check what time the last train leaves.
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5 Dresden - 2N
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On the road today, or more correctly on the rails. Get an early start you've got a big day. Leave your main pack at the hotel if you can survive out of a day pack for a few days. After breakfast make your way to the bus stop and then Berlin Central Station. Or use the google maps feature to show you all of the public transport information you need. If you're not sure how to use it click here. The train to Dresden takes 2 hours. From Dresden main station take the tram to the closest stop to the hotel you pick - or taxi of course. Being the capital of Saxony naturally Dresden features Saxon Cuisine which should be on your list to try.​
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Stay in the Altstadt (Old Town) at or near Hilton Dresden - indoor swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, restaurant and bar
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A bit cheaper is the ibis budget Dresden City * - next to tram stop in the heart of the old town
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Check in and it's time to start exploring Dresden. Conveniently you are in walking distance from many of the major sites. The Old Town was almost completely destroyed in WWII and has been rebuilt. Which means the Old Town is actually younger than the Neustadt (New Town).
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Starting at the Hilton head west to the Furstenzug - a 101 metre mural. If you are staying elsewhere just join in the loop at the closest point.
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Next stop Dresden Castle.
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A good lunch stop is Alte Meister
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Semperoper Dresden - Opera House
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Bruhl's Terrace - scenic views of the Elbe River
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Make your way back to the hotel for a refreshing swim, relax and get ready for the evening. Take the tram from the Dresden Synagoge to Albertplatz in Nuestadt. From there walk north along Alaun Strasse and you will come across an area filled with restaurants and bars. That should keep you going for the night.
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6
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If you loved the Trabi Safari in Berlin there are another couple of options here in Dresden. You could still do both of these activities, just cut a couple of things out so you don't feel rushed. Otherwise you could hire a bicycle (very close to the Hilton) and see some more of the sights at your own pace. Have lunch when you get hungry. Ride up to Albertplatz and have a look at -
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Continue out to the Museum of Military History.
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The Grand Garden of Dresden - ride a steam train through the park, puppet theatre, palace, zoo
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The Panometer - from here you could continue down the road to Reick S-Bahn Station and put your bike on the train back to the main station - OR ride to the river to -
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The Trollgarten - Beer Garden for riverside refreshments
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Follow the path back around the river to the Old Town and drop the bike off.
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Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & more.
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The Saxon Steamship Company has the largest fleet of paddlewheel steamers in Europe so pre-book your ticket and go for an afternoon / evening cruise on the Elbe.
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Spend the evening locally seeing what the old town has to offer for restaurants and bars.
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Dresden
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7 Leipzig - 2N
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Back to the train station and off to Leipzig which is around an hour away. Its' train station is the biggest in the world. It has some historical trains and a 3 storey shopping mall.
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Leipzig and Nikolaikirche (St, Nicholas Church) were the location that led to the end of the Berlin Wall and the East German government. On 9 Oct 1989 70,000 to 100,000 people tested the governments resolve and the rest is history.
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Stay at or near the Townhouse Leipzig - excellent location in the old town opposite the St. Thomas Church, very close to the Bach Museum and a few minutes from the market, plenty of restaurants & cafes nearby, sauna, gym​
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Or Motel One Leipzig-Nikolaikirche - excellent location in the old town across from St. Nicholas Church and 5 mins walk from the market, bar,
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Settle in then head out for a walk. Start with the Marktplatz Leipzig. It often has something going on, there's plenty to see nearby and you can explore the arcades and courtyards from the 16th century which run off the eastern side. On the western side Barfußgäßchen will become your favourite place for eating and drinking. It should be lunch time by now.
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A little further along you'll find the Gedenkstätte Museum in der "Runden Ecke“ (Memorial Museum in the "Round Corner") where you can gain some insights into what the Stasi got up to in the DDR. (Deutsche Demokratische Republik aka East Germany)
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Check out the Coffee Museum and have some afternoon smoko. They've been serving coffee since 1694.
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Back to the hotel for a rest if you like.
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Spend the night around the old town. Try some of these local specialties. South west from the Stasi museum is Gottschedstraße where you will find the pub district.
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8
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Make your way towards Plagwitz, once an industrial area it has been transformed into an oasis of art and culture. If it is a weekend or public holiday you can do a spectacular 80 minute cruise through the canals. It will mean you need to start the trip on a Saturday or Sunday. From the main train station take the tram #3 six stops to Elster Passage then it is 500 metres to the MV Weltfrieden (World Peace) and your cruise. It takes off from the Uschi cafe next to the stilted building. Try to book it for the 11.00 trip.
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It's time for lunch and a tour of the neighbourhood. It might be worth booking this free walking tour. Here is another alternative using an App on your phone. Spend the afternoon exploring then have dinner and a night out here. Karl-Heine-Strasse and the roads leading off of it are where you'll find all the action. Taxi home after drinking is always a good idea.
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9 Berlin - 2N
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Time to head back to Berlin. The train takes just over an hour. Book yourself a bike at reception for tomorrow when you arrive.
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Today is a holiday within a holiday. Take a break or do something special you want to do. Play golf, have a spa day, go shopping (get some last minute souvenirs and presents), horse riding, a cooking class, visit a bathhouse, (when the Stadtbad Neukoln opened in 1914 it was already said to be one the most beautiful pools in Europe), hang around a swimming pool or have a few beers / wines in a beer garden. You could even combine several of them.
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To continue the holiday theme how about a sunset dinner cruise on the Spree.
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10
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Last day today and it's ending like it started. With a bicycle tour to get around to all those places you haven't been yet. An early start will help to give you enough time. Get your bike from reception after breakfast and hit the road. Feel free to add or subtract any of the stops. You've probably had enough museums to keep you going for a while.
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First stop is the Berlin Story Bunker - with a recreation of Hitler's bunker.
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Topography of Terror - the Gestapo
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Potsdamer Platz - the widest point in Berlin's death strip
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Reichstag Building - who lit the fire?
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Weiner Brot Wood Oven Bakery - you have to have a Berliner while you're in Berlin
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Berliner Fernsehturm - TV Tower
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Alexanderplatz - the centre of East Berlin
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If you still have time and energy Templehof Airport the site of the Berlin Airlift is only 3 kms past the hotel. It's 20 kms all up but if you skip the airport you'll cut 6 kms off.
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Back home for a rest before a big night out.​
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Head out to the local hotspot in Kreuzburg to celebrate a great trip. There is no closing time here so the sun might be coming up on your way back to the hotel.
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Fly home and you might even get some sleep on the plane.
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