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Berlin
Feb 9, 2017 11:51:25 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 11:51:25 GMT
Never been.
Going in July for four days with Espadrille and the kids (19, 17 and 12). Will do some of the obvious things (well for us - Jewish Museum, Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate), but looking for something else which might interest them? Reichstag? Pergamon Museum? Is it worth driving somewhere an hour away?
All advice gratefully received....
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Berlin
Feb 9, 2017 14:10:50 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 14:10:50 GMT
I've worked in the south, middle and west but never been to the east or north of Germany. Hamburg and Berlin are on our 'to do' list, I'd also like to see Dresden and Meißen. A colleague of mine was there last summer, he also visited the Olypiastadion. He very much enjoyed his trip. Hope you do too.
We'll be in Berlin, in July, but only for an hour stopover in Tegel flying out to Chicago. My wife's family wedding, my family reunion and a road trip to the (east) coast but that's for another thread.
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Berlin
Feb 9, 2017 18:50:27 GMT
Post by manatee on Feb 9, 2017 18:50:27 GMT
Assuming you like cars, you should consider going to Meilenwerk, which now seems to be known as Classic Remise. It's a huge shed full of classic cars of all kinds, there's a cafe/restaurant where you can get a beer and a sandwich or whatever, entry is free. I spent a good couple of hours there and could have stayed longer. Streetview, Classic RemiseThere's the TV tower, or Fernsehturm. Coffee and cake in the revolving restaurant is fun. Avoid obviously popular times, there is usually a queue. Go to Potsdamerplatz and wander round the Sony Centre (there is a Sony shop, a big one with some of the latest kit in, but I use the term to refer to the spectacular covered area it is in). There are cafes there and it's a nice place to have another coffee and cake. You might like to try further comestibles at the smart cafeteria on the top floor of KaDeWe, which is worth a visit anyway, a sort of Harrods but better. The Pergamon is indeed impressive. Never mind the Elgin Marbles, they have a complete Gate of Babylon. I really like Berlin, it is quite relaxed and much less dense than London. Certainly you should see the Holocaust Memorial. I haven't been to the Jewish Museum. There's not much to Checkpoint Charlie, but go anyway, it's a short walk from the Brandenburg Gate. Note the Hotel Adlon near the Gate, and on the same side of the road between it and the gate the US embassy. I have heard mixed reviews of afternoon teas at the Adlon, never been tempted myself. Consider a guided walk; there are lots of interesting things that you would just walk by if you were exploring on your own. Edit: Just noticed that you mentioned driving out of the city. We went to the Sanssouci Palace at Potsdam; I'll leave you to look it up, it might not be your sort of thing - Frederick the Great's summer palace if I recall correctly.
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Berlin
Feb 9, 2017 20:16:22 GMT
Post by tyrednexited on Feb 9, 2017 20:16:22 GMT
...I'm not sure if you're driving (your own car) into the city, or any other major conurbation on your travels (since you mention driving), but if you are you will (to be legal) require an Umweltplakette (emissions sticker), and your car will have to be reasonably modern to qualify for one. If you are, then I can give you info on how to check and get one on-line cost-effectively and in advance (from the Berlin State authorities as it happens - €6). Hire cars should be pre-equipped.
Whatever the travel arrangements, your party size is well-placed for cheap public transport, which I would recommend over driving. A small group day-ticket will cover up to 5 people for travel on almost all public transport (just about anything, trams, buses, U-bahn, local trains (S-bahn), but not long-distance trains) in a very wide area for only €20.80 for all zones - not much over £3 each, and valid until 3 am the next day.
Sanssouci has already been mentioned. Worthwhile if parks and stately homes are your thing, and Potsdam is within the Berlin Transport outer zone, so travel there by train is in the above day ticket.
For me, the Reichstag would be a must see (at least, the visit up to the dome if it is still open) but the queues can be off-putting, early morning and early evening being normally best.
...and, of course, you must see if you can track down any of the bits of "The Wall" that are extant....
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Berlin
Feb 9, 2017 20:50:30 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 20:50:30 GMT
Many thanks - I forgot the Wall... Doh!
Rail ticket info much appreciated.
We are flying into the 'exception that proves the rule that Germans are efficient'; i.e. Berlin Schönefeld Airport - still not finished after x years. Is it easy to get from there on public transport to the Crowne Plaza near Wittenbergplaz U-station?
If we get a rental car it will be from the city centre; maybe on our last day and drop it back at the airport.
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Berlin
Feb 9, 2017 21:34:02 GMT
Post by tyrednexited on Feb 9, 2017 21:34:02 GMT
...the route planner here implies regional train plus U-Bahn (one change) as the quickest way from Schönefeld to Wittenbergplatz by public transport (c 44 minutes) - though route recommendations change depending on time of travel. www.berlin.de/en/tourism/travel-information/4290081-2862820-route-planner.en.htmlPretty sure the small-group ticket would cover that journey (and last till 3am the next day) ;-).
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Deleted
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Berlin
Feb 10, 2017 6:36:20 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 6:36:20 GMT
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WDB
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Berlin
Feb 10, 2017 11:52:36 GMT
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Post by WDB on Feb 10, 2017 11:52:36 GMT
Isn't Brandenburg the unfinished airport? I had two nights in Berlin (near the Tiergarten) last month and wished I could have stayed longer. Arrived from Cologne by ICE, which was magnificent, and flew home from Tegel, which wasn't.
Pavements are kept scrupulously clean and clear of snow, but they're likely to be wet and slushy, so don't make the mistake I did of going out in leather soles; deine Füße werden nass. (OK, re-reading: probably less of a problem in July.)
Take your proper Sony camera too. The modernist architecture is jaw-dropping, and well worth trying to capture, especially if you get some sunshine. Get out early, while the sun is low and the crowds are still having breakfast.
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Deleted
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Berlin
Feb 12, 2017 20:40:06 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2017 20:40:06 GMT
"Isn't Brandenburg the unfinished airport?"
Yes, but it is effectively a new terminal to the south of Schönefeld, using the existing runway and adding another one. It's been a total balls up.
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Deleted
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Berlin
Jul 11, 2017 22:24:46 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2017 22:24:46 GMT
Update... Just discovered the car garage that doubles as a museum. Free entry as well. Classic RemiseThink I might need to sneak off on Saturday afternoon after prayers.......and worship at different altar.
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Deleted
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Berlin
Jul 19, 2017 19:29:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 19:29:22 GMT
B****r.. Flight cancelled due to poor weather, causing delayed flights so that the plane could not leave Berlin as it would get back there beyond the curfew time....
Unhappy Espadrille.
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Deleted
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Berlin
Jul 19, 2017 19:58:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 19:58:22 GMT
Wonder where the poor weather was, Tegel was basking in 28C sunshine this morning. We were delayed by roughly an hour by baggage handling problems. All our cases arrived with us this afternoon in Chicago, relieved to take the hit in flight time rather than having luggage trying to catch up with us as we move around.
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Deleted
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Berlin
Jul 19, 2017 20:51:44 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 20:51:44 GMT
No idea about the weather, but it was lashing it outside Manchester Airport as we were inside being cancelled. All day we have had emails from easyJet saying the weather was causing issues.
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Berlin
Jul 21, 2017 8:29:35 GMT
Post by tyrednexited on Jul 21, 2017 8:29:35 GMT
....have you actually made it there EIII, or have you abandoned entirely?
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Deleted
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Berlin
Jul 21, 2017 11:41:04 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2017 11:41:04 GMT
Came home. No flights at all until Friday and we were coming home on Sunday. Getting full refunds on most things. Insurance will cover the rest.
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