A couple of months back I had a quick stopover in Tokyo, Japan. I did it again, but this time it was in Berlin. Here's what you should do if you have only two-and-a-half days in the German capital.
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Who can say no to a five-star luxury hotel like Ritz Carlton? |
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Lodging
If, unfortunately, you've a tighter purse string like me, you can choose to live The Simple Life. Look for a hostel which can cost as cheap as between 12 and 30 euros per night. Contrary to common beliefs that inexpensive lodgings are usually far from town centers, this hostel is as accessible to the city as the hotels for a tenth of the price. So if you're into communal living and don't mind sharing unisex toilets and rooms with other people, stay at a boarding house.
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Reception area at Mitte's Backpacker Hostel |
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Transport
The train network may seem complicated and somewhat confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's actually quite easy to navigate around. Just look up at the electronic signboards to know the type and final destination of the train so you know which direction you're heading. The main parts of Berlin are served by the U-Bahn and S-Bahn which are marked by the blue and green colored circles, respectively. I think I'm supposed to purchase tickets from the machine, but I never once did. And I don't want to know what will happen if a train conductor comes by to check.
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You won't see many people in Potsdamer Platz at night but if lighted buildings are your kind of thing, this is the best place to go. |
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Walk just 15 minutes (10 if you stride faster) north and you'll come to Brandenburg Gate--one of the most photographed spots in located at Pariser Platz. The gate once marked the boundary between East and West Berlin and was the center stage for political rallies and celebrations. Diagonally across the street is the Reichstag which houses the German parliament. A huge tourist attraction by itself, you can take a lift up to the glass dome and viewing terrace. There you will be greeted by sweeping views of the city. Entrance is free, but expect to wait up to 30 minutes in line, and even longer during weekends.
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The Branderburg Gate is so much more mesmerizing at night than in the day. |
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If you have time, join the cycling tour which happen everyday at 11am and 4pm, rain or shine. It doesn't cost a lot to join one, but is a good way to get yourself acquainted with the city. Along the way, you'll also get to meet other travelers like yourself with each tour lasting about 4.5 hours.
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If you're not picky, you can get away with 10 euros a day on meals. |
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If you're feeling rich, there's always a lavish restaurant beside the glass dome at the Reichstag, which should impress the socks off your date, especially if you can order in fluent German and don't end up being served bread and ice water for dinner. And as the sun goes down, the unobstructed view from the restaurant is perfect for landscape pictures. Unless you're using a digital SLR fitted with a wide-angle lens, chances are you'll have to take successive left-to-right (or right-to-left) shots. If your camera allows, lock the exposure (aperture and shutter speed settings) and it'll make your life easier during post processing.
Shopping
Shopping fanatics won't be bored in Berlin. The Arkaden at Potsdamer Platz is a large multistorey mall which can get you from electronics to books, to designer labels. Hackescher Market is another place you might want to consider if you're into smaller stores and flea markets. Venture a bit further into the side streets and you can find brands like Fred Perry and others. Alternatively, you can spend the afternoon on a river cruise or lazing at one of the coffee places at Friedrichshain with a book.
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You can borrow a free headset from the information center which will provide you a audio tour of the history of the Berlin Wall. The tour will take about 40 minutes. |
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Your visit to Berlin is never complete until you visit the remaining standing portions of the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie at the junction of Friedrichstrasse and Zimmerstrasse--a symbol of the Cold War and the separation of East and West. I won't say much here. Suffice to say, you'll find it an experience that history books never tell you about.
Tags: Berlin, SLR, Cirque du Soleil, Frankfurt, Hilton Hotels Corp.
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