Olly Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 I'm off for a long weekend on 6 June with my best friend. Just wondered if anyone here has been? I'd love some tips on what to see/what not to miss, and any restaurants/cafes. I have a vague fantasy that we'll be eating lots of delicious cakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 We were there in Feb 2007 It is a beautiful and complex city. I'd recommend a guided walk around around the East and West as an introduction. The one we went on was led by an enthusiastic guide and really help us appreciate the history and culture. The Tiergarten was beautiful in the snow. We had a hotel at one end and walked through it most mornings to the brandenburg gate, which seemed like a good place to start from each morning. You might not have the snow. The Holocaust Memorial is powerful. Walk through it. Hope its not busy - perhaps something to do in the morning. Best place we ate was at the top of the Reichstag - there are long queues later in the day, so get there early and go for breakfast. We were filmed by German TV who interviewing someone behind us - apparently he was a very famous hair dresser, be we had to ask. And walking round the dome was fun too. Potsdamer Platz was a disappointment. But watch out out for the bears! Just past Checkpoint Charlie is a nice cheap cafe, on the eastern side. But can't remember the name. Has free internet access to - ask your walk guide (it was she who told us about it). You'll enjoy you trip, I'm sure. Wish we was going again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 DD says the Babelsburg Film Park was brilliant. The biggest department store apparently is pretty cool - called Kaufhaus Das Westens (KaDeWe pronounced car day vay). The Reichstag building is made of glass and has fantastic views (really warm!). Checkpoint Charlie museum. The Holocaust memorial. Another good one was the TV tower (Fernsehturm) in the Alexander Platz with a revolving restaurant. A cool place was the Gedachtruskirsche (the story of Berlin) which is a fall out shelter from the war. Potsdam was interesting. And favourite snacks were Edel Alpen Sahne (which is like a flat Toblerone) and wafer biccies called Hanuta (with Nutella type choccie in them). She's been on 2 exchanges and enjoyed it - she says she wishes she could go back. Watch out for special festivals because one year they had the Blue Man Group and Sandstation, where there were lots of sand sculptures. The last one they had their photo's taken with the World Cup (and her teacher nearly got arrested for nearly touching it ) Have a great time! DD wants to stowaway with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Hello Olly! One of my favourite places to stay The Tiergarten and aquarium are definitely worth a visit. There are coffee shops all over the place to sit, chat, eat, drink and watch the world go by. If you find a 'Nordsee' shop - they are everywhere - try a' Bremer' roll. Fishcake in a roll - they also do lots of other fish rolls for snacks. I avoid the roll mops rolls The 'Backfish' roll is lovely. Lots of shopping opportunities and gardens to visit, but I like sitting and watching (sound like a stalker ) Have a lovely time edit - Yes, Hanutas are lovely, but also try Knoppers! Why are all my suggestions food related??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 You want a kasekrainer & a Bosna. Christian will know what these are! Nordsee are excellent - I used to eat the Wiking rolls. Mmmm I also like that bright pink meat on a roll - oh what is it called now? Thats something Kase? I went to a Technology show in Berlin when I lived in Germany - it was very cool! I remember going to a greek restaurant near to a square called something like Victoriallen Markt or Platz it was lovely. Is there an area called Potsdam? I seem to remember a lot of Russian people with stalls? I also remember lots of nice cakes. I'm afraid Germany is all about food & beer! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 I think you might find vegetarian food hard to find - they kept offering DD ham! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 28, 2009 Author Share Posted May 28, 2009 ooh thanks very much, I knew someone would have been there! I'm going to print all these tips off, I'm very pleased they are food related because that's a big part of a holiday for me! Thanks everyone, that has given me some guidance as to where we should start. Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate definitely, and the Tiergarten. I love rollmops, Christian, so I might try one of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 I also like that bright pink meat on a roll - oh what is it called now? Thats something Kase? Do you mean Leberkaese? Delish, looks a bit odd, but is lovely! A thick slice in a roll I like rollmops Olly, just not in a roll. You have to go to Nordsee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Yes that's it Christian! I love it. One thing I miss about Germany is the food & the Bofrost man turning up in his shorts! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 The travel section of the Saturday Telegraph has a couple of pages on Berlin. Maybe it will be online?? Emma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
