Three adjectives describe Berlin most accurately – Urban, Cosmopolitan and Multicultural. In these three words lies the true spirit of Berlin, the real character of this modern city with ancient roots. Berlin presents an exemplary picture of a cosmopolitan megalopolis with its social fabric woven with multi-ethnic groups; and it’s near perfect civic amenities and liberal policies defining the operational face of the city. At the same time, the “Berlin-ness” that has defined its character through the ages sits firmly in all the “modern – ness”.

With all these ‘strings’ keeping it aloft, Berlin vibrates like a giant living, breathing creature. Its vibrancy and vitality are powered by its economy, its growing importance in the continent’s politics and its unique heritage. Berlin draws people from all over the globe like a moth to a flame…people come here to work, to participate in its scores of festivals and of course to gaze at its museums and monuments that tell a history like no other.

Berlin attracts tourists to its contemporary culture and dynamic nightlife; the city may not traditionally have been a culinary superlative, but today it is ensuring ‘gustatory’ is high on the list. Berlin’s art galleries in beautiful buildings and sunny alleys, its haute couture and its zany street fashion as well as its dynamic gay scene, all are part of the ‘Great Berlin Seduction’ plan. Berliners may present a picture of stuffy austerity, but beneath this aura lies a city that is lighthearted, open and full of zest for life.

This is the city people come to see and this is exactly what they find. With no dearth of places to park themselves in while in the city (options range from luxurious five star hotels to €10 a night hostels with several Bed & Breakfast and ‘Theme hotels’ thrown in for good measure) there is but one thing left to do in Berlin – enjoy the good life. Considered the heart of the country, Berlin has been ravaged and divided by war, usurped by one of the most detested men in the history of the world, split in to two by a wall and finally unified and healed. Today Berlin is a fun place with a child like excitement for life and is marked by a seductive elegance at the same time. Tourists to Berlin find this contrast unique and inviting and so it is no wonder the city is the 3rd most preferred tourist destination in the European Union!

A Turbulent Past

The first humans to settle down in the area were Stone Age Dwellers who most likely found a swampy land at their disposal. This is popularly guessed from the fact that the roots for the word ‘Berlin’ in Old Polabian are ‘Berl’ or ‘Birl’ which means swamp. By European standards, Berlin is a young city with most of its recorded history starting in the 13th century when two towns - Cölln and Berlin were founded by merchants as trading posts in the present day Nikolaiviertel on either side of the river Spree. Political and security reasons motivated the amalgamation of the two towns in 1307 and within a few years’ the new territory started being recognized as Berlin.

Freidrich II is credited with firmly establishing the rule of the Hohenzollen dynasty in Berlin in the 15th century. The Hohenzollen family ruled Berlin first as electors and then as Prussian Kings. During their reign Berlin scaled great heights and became the most important city in the Kingdom when the Elector moved residence here from Brandenburg; the palace near Schlossplatz marks this event.

The Thirty Years’ War reduced the population of the city by great numbers but by the mid -17th century the city had bounced back under the leadership of the Great Elector Freidrich Wilhelm. Where Freidrich Wilhelm promoted benevolent rule and gave asylum to Jews and French Huguenots, his son, Freidrich I, the first Prussian king gave impetus to the city’s growth and developed it as a center for arts and sciences. Later Prussian kings enhanced the beauty and stature of Berlin by encouraging art and architecture, progressive thinkers like Freidrich Nicolai and welcomed the Enlightenment touched in the form of the playwright Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. Berlin was, by this time, known as a powerful and truly international city.

The 19th century Berlin struggled its way out of the French occupation of 1806-13 and the bourgeois democratic revolution of 1848 to welcome the Industrial Revolution spurred on by companies such as Siemens and Borsig. By the time Bismarck had brought on the Unification of Germany, Berlin’s population was nearly 2 million and it already an industrial giant. Post WWI, Berlin saw the rise of the Nazi party and the beginning of the Holocaust. This was the most un-glorious periods in the history of the city and took several decades to shake off. Berlin was one of the worst hit cities in the war that ended WWII as most of the city was bombed out of recognition.

The New Age Berlin

The division of the city into four sectors in 1945, the subsequent emergence of West and East Germany in October 1949 and the construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961 were rough times for the city. But the spirit of the Berliners’ triumphed with the breaking down of the wall in 1989 and the unification of East and West Germany. Since then this great city hasn’t had any reason to look back at its painful past. It has moved from strength to strength earning the respect of other nations, gaining a prominent position in European politics and developing the city to become a truly futuristic, international city. Viewed as an avant garde in fashion, technology and tourism and famous for its festivals and nightlife, Berlin is one of the most sought after destinations for tourists today.

Going to Berlin

Anybody who has ever been to Berlin would tell you the best time to visit the city is “Anytime” and they wouldn’t be too far off the mark because Berlin has something going on every month of the year. If it isn’t the Berlin Marathon, then it is the Berlin Film Festival and when during the extreme winter months few events are taking place, tourists still pile in to the city to experience the raucous Berlin nightlife.

Since most tourists would want to take advantage of the maximum daylight the city weather offers, plane loads arrive starting May and it stays that way till September. The weather is at its most reliable during this period with the mercury never hitting ahead of 25 degrees. This is also the best time to make the most of Tiergarten – perhaps the only park in the world where you can sun bathe naked right in the middle of the city and not get arrested!

The winter months in Berlin are from November to early March when the temperature generally falls below freezing point and the skies tend to be dismal with little sun showing up. On the upside, you can still go to all the museums and art galleries and shake a leg at one of Berlin’s famous clubs without having to deal with big crowds and the inevitable queues.

Whatever time of the year you choose to go to Berlin make sure you pack an umbrella and a raincoat because sudden rains are a common occurrence in this area. If it rains during the winter months there is a huge possibility of the downpour converting into sleet and finally slow – so don’t forget that parka!

Getting to the City of Museums

The easiest way to get to any place is by air and Berlin is no exception even though there are few direct flights to the city. Berlin boasts of three international airports – Tegel, Tempelhof and Schonefeld which service large airlines like Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM and Delta (Tegel) to low cost airlines like EasyJet, Ryan air and GermanWings (Schonefeld). Tempelhof is the oldest of all airports, a WWII relic that was the scene of the Berlin Airlift and is scheduled to be closed down in October 08; a topic that has quickly divided the city into supporters and detractors. A new facility – Airport Berlin Brandenburg International- is under construction at Schonefeld and would be available to passengers in 2011.

If you are traveling to Berlin from within Europe then it is easier and more economical, though obviously not faster, to take a bus or a train into Berlin. Berlin is connected to more than 350 destinations in Europe by bus and all bus journeys end at Charlottenburg at the Central Bus Terminus. If you get road sick or would rather get to Berlin faster than a bus, take a train ride on one of the ICE, InterCity or EuroCity trains. Most of the big European cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna and Zurich are well connected to Berlin and since trains are very popular with backpackers and budget tourists it is advisable to book your tickets in advance.

Arriving in Berlin by car is also an option but don’t try it unless you don’t mind crowded city motorways and low-on-patience drivers on city motorways. All main roads and motorways join the Berliner Ring or the A10 from where you can get into the main city. Do remember that Berlin has very strict emission controls and parking is expensive.

Staying in Berlin

Two attributes mark all types of accommodations in Berlin – the German penchant for cleanliness and the affordability typical of Berlin; the features extend to even small Bed & Breakfasts as well as backpacker hostels. Berlin spoils one for choices when it comes to finding a place to put up your feet and stow away all those bags. It’s a Smorgasbord with luxurious 5- star hotels like Hotel Adlon Kempinski that sweep you off your feet sitting right next to backpacker hostels like Die Fabrik that delights with a concoction of comfort and economy.

Hotel Adlon

If you don’t mind spending €412 for one round of forty winks amidst decadent luxury then The Ritz – Carlton at Potsdamer Platz is a perfect choice for you. The Ritz regales with pomp & show and ensures its world class services like a spa, a gym and some very delectable dining options make you feel like kings and queens. But there is some stiff competition for Ritz from the nearby Regent (€282) and the famous Adlon Kempinski (€370). Other luxury hotel choices in Berlin include – The Hilton Berlin (€263), Intercontinental (€188), The Park-Inn at Alexanderplatz, Radisson SAS (€235), Mercure Hotel & Residenz Berlin Checkpoint Charlie (€147), Swissotel Berlin (€172) and the Marriott Hotel (€241).

If you want to experience Berlin in comfort and still not pay through your nose for it, then pensions are a great choice. One of the most popular of this lot is the Hotel-Pension Bregenz near Zoologischer Garten. At just € 67, the rooms are clean, convenient and affordable. Other choices in this bracket are Pension Elefant (€65), 1A Apartment and Guesthouse (€70), Pension Nuernberger Eck (€77) and Stars Guesthouse (€79). Another good budget option is the Hotel Pension Fischer which, at year round rates of € 78 a night is a great, calm and quiet to come back to rest after a day of sightseeing. The Kiez Pension at Jungstrasse (€74) is popular among families touring Berlin because of its close proximity to the U-bahn and Alexanderplatz. Also try Pension Niebuhr for €72 and Hotel Austriana which is quite a steal at just € 45.

For single, young travelers and backpackers, holiday budgets are usually more than shoestring and it helps that Berlin has fantastic options like the €18 Circus Hostel or the EastSeven Berlin Hostel for a mere € 12. The city is full of wonderful bargains like the Riverside Lodge (€ 26), Baxpax Kreuzberg Hostel (€15) and the Alcatraz Backpacker Hostel (€13). If you are a woman traveling alone the place you should head to is Frauenhotel Artemisia (€102) situated right in the middle of the city.

By Foot or By Train

How to move about in Berlin

Berlin has a super-efficient public transport system that is integrated, cheap, uncomplicated and punctual and helps a tourist move about with ease. Most places can be reached through the S-Bahn (overground rail) and U- Bahn (underground rail). You can also travel around by bus although it is slower than trains or taxis, the latter being easily available and cheaper than most other places in Europe. Buy a ‘Berlin WelcomeCard’ to get unlimited access to all public transport in a 72-hour period. The card costs only € 18 and also gets you discounts in museums, theatres and other attractions.

Trams are plentiful but only in the east side and have a charm of their own. You can also rent a bicycle (approx. € 7.50 a day) and pedal your way around the city for a cheap and easy tour.

Berliners like their food in XXL size and it shows in the inventiveness of their restaurants and in the vibrancy of the cuisines one can sample in the city. The dining scene in Berlin is fiercely competitive and business owners are forever trying to capture a larger share of the pie with unusual and creative ideas. Two fine examples are Nocti Vagus and Unsicht –Bar. Both serve the usual fare but in complete darkness! The waiters are all either blind or visually impaired and the unusual setting gives customers a whole new way to experience food.

Another Berlin experience to remember is the ‘Currywurst’, which is essentially a Bratwurst, only covered in ketchup and curry powder. Berlin is a foodie’s delight because not only the city offers multiple mouthwatering cuisines but also at considerably lesser than other cities in Europe. Inexpensive Italian restaurants and pizzerias can be found everywhere. For quick meals try Baccanali, Mola’s pizzas and Franucci’s Ristorante for authentic Italian dishes.

Berlin also boasts of very sophisticated restaurants perfect for an elegant evening. Good examples are the Borchardt situated close to Gendarmenmarkt, Die Quadriga – a Michelin starred restaurant in the Brandenburger –Hof Hotel and Fischers Fritz at the Regent. If you are looking for something exotic, try the Kula-Karma just north of the Hackescher Markt, or the trendy Italian Bracco established in 1968 and the Florian in Mitte. Berlin excels at budget eating options and Carpe Diem located surprisingly under an S-Bahn station at Charlottenberg, Mao-Thai and Sophieneck are good value for money. If you want to spend even less on food simply stop at an Imbiss – the snack carts that dot Berlin.

As with its food, Berlin believes in letting its hair down completely when it comes to having fun. Famed for its nightscape as far back as the 1920s and 30s, Berlin still rules the roost as one of the hippest cities in the world with its hundreds of funky beach side bars and pubs housed in bombed out buildings. The music ranges from pop and standard rock to grunge, metal, alternative and techno clubs and club styles range from regular to racy to downright fetish!

Most clubs and bars are open until the wee hours of morning and the city is safe enough for you to walk back to your hotel after a night of playing hard. For a cool, sleek Euro-style bar try the Mitte area. Mitte is home to many interesting clubs like Lola, Newton, King Kong Club and Weekend. Kreuzberg is a little more edgy with its happening gay scene and boasts of clubs like Club Maria, Spindler & Klatt, ultra-chic dance clubs like 90 Degrees and Havanna. For more options on Berlin’s clubs and nightlife take a look here.

Chasing Berlin

Berlin is a vast city with tourist spots and places of interest spread across the city. So, the fastest way to see Berlin would be an hour’s trip around the city on one of the route 100 double-decker buses but that would only leave you longing for more. Berlin is a city with many layers and to peel off some you need at least three days in the city.

Spend a day at the Museum Island – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – situated in the northern part of the Spree Island. Dedicated to art and science, the Museumsinsel, was constructed under the royal decree of King Freidrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia and holds such fascinations as the Pergamon Museum, a vast collection of classical Greek, Roman and Babylonian art and architecture. A must – see is the Jewish Museum – a celebration of the achievements of German Jews and their contribution to culture, art and science. Two very famous museums are The Duetsches Historisches Museum in Unter den Linden and Bauhaus Archiv/ Museum fur Gestaltung in Tiergarten. Also in Tiergarten is the Reichstag or the Platz der Republik – the seat of the German Parliament since 1999. Although entry is free, the long lines and extensive security checks can put you off, but bear it with a grin because the view from the Glass Dome is breathtaking. Other museums of note are Gemaldegalerie at Kultuforum, Museum fur Naturkunde, Museum of European Cultures and Topography of Terror.

Berlin is quintessentially a city of arts and there are a lot of gallery streets displaying works of modern artists for free. Take a look at Art Center Berlin in Freidrichstrasse, Boxoffberlin in Zimmerstrasse and Galerie Eigen & Art in Auguststrasse – all free, all fantastic. Berlin is not Rome when it comes to churches but there are several very interesting churches like the 1891 Kaiser Wilhelm Gedachtniskirche, Marienkirche near Alexanderplatz and the Nicolaikirche in the

St. Nicholas Quarter in Mitte. Also include St. Hedwig’s Kathedral, the Berliner Dom and Freidrichswerdersche Kirche near Unter den Linden to your list. Plan a beautiful, romantic evening at the Berliner Philharmonie and let your sense souse in the beauty of music. A trip to Berlin cannot be complete without a stop at Seigessaule or the Victory Column, the Berliner Funkturm, Berliner Fernsehturm and the Kolhoff Tower. Finally, if you didn’t go to Brandenburger Tor you didn’t really go to Berlin!

Berlin is not just about museums and monuments it is one of the most fashionable capitals in Europe and is a great place to shop. Be it expensive designer wear or dirt cheap second hand clothing – the new age Berlin has effectively destroyed the cold war image of the city dressed in drab grays and blacks. Whether you want hand crafted jewelry or antique ashtrays, everything is available in Berlin’s diverse shopping centers.

The city’s most celebrated shopping area is Kurfurstendamm or Ku’damm and its Tauentzienstrasse extension which is a shopping heaven for the whole family. Stores are an eclectic mix of uber-stylish and expensive to ultra-modern and economical. The enormous KaDeWe department store with exquisite and exclusive designer labels is sure to catch your fancy as is the Europa Center just a short stroll away. Side streets like Bleibtreustrasse and Fasanenstrasse offer exclusive chic boutiques. For trendy clothes and shoes Freidrichstrasse in Mitte, Kantstrasse in Charlottenburg and Oranienstrasse in Kreuzberg are major centers. Also try the new Potsdamer Platz Arcades for a dizzying 300 stores selling everything from clothes to electronics to food stuff. Fun, second-hand clothes markets flourish in Berlin and the best ones can be found at Bergmannstrasse in Kreuzberg and Trash-Schick in Wuhlischstrasse.

If you had just one day…

Berlin is a city of contrasts where the new and old swing hand in hand. This has become truer after the unification in the late 80s. If the West Berlin had trendy new residential blocks, the East side brought with it classic old buildings. Today you can have a vacation in this dazzling city looking out at the skyline from the glass dome in the Reichstag, have some sushi or Indian curry at a fabulously appointed restaurant in Kreuzberg, go to an underground club in the Eastern part of the city and come back to a luxury hotel.

If you had just one day in Berlin, here is one way to get the maximum out of your trip

Flag off with a hearty breakfast of Currywurst, the typical Berlin snack at one of the stalls found nearly everywhere in the city. Currywurst is, in fact, such a popular snack that there is a whole Museum dedicated to it; get it here though it is in German! Next take a train to Mitte, depending on where you are located you will need to choose between the S-bahn and the U-Bahn. Mitte is the traditional center of the city spread around Unter den Linden, the city’s primary boulevard and Tiergarten. Here you can start with a tour of Brandenburger Tor – the only remaining ‘gate’ to Berlin out of the original 14. From here take a little walk to Unter den Linden for some window shopping at the main shopping street- Freidrichstrasse.

Rest your feet well at one of the several cafes in this area before you move on to an art crawl at the Museumsinsel – the museum island of Mitte. The museum you mustn’t miss here is the Pergamon Museum and you must also visit the newly renovated Alte Nationalgalerie to feast your eyes upon works by masters like Monet, Manet and Cézanne. Museumsinsel is also home to the Bodemuseum, The Bauhaus Archiv and the Hugenottenmuseum. All this museum chasing is sure to make you hungry, so saunter off to the Hackeschen Hofe district to explore its labyrinth of cafes and restaurants. You could also try the Savigny Square for some French food. Wind your day down with a relaxing view from the Glass Dome at the Reichstag.

In Berlin a day isn’t spent well if you don’t pull on your dancing shoes and shake it all at one of the hundreds of hip clubs and bars in the city. As soon as you have freshened up, get into the dancing mode and head to Mitte district for some club hopping. Tired after all the activity? Relax with a beer at a typical Berlin pub that is sure to be open till the wee hours of the morning.

The Hidden Berlin

Most destination guides about Berlin would tell you to take a tour of the city’s beautiful and interesting museums and go to Brandenburg Tor. Let us tell you a few secret spots in Berlin that everyone else is clamming up on:

That Berlin is famous for its shopping areas – KaDeWe and Potsdamer Platz stores are something everyone knows. But try Hackescher Markt in Mitte (Oranianburgerstrasse) for the real Berlin market. Here you can shop for off-culture fashion ranging from extraordinary shoes to cool clothing from young, upcoming designers. After shopping you can savor a cup of coffee in one of the hundreds of cafes that tattoo the Hackesche Hofe – a labyrinth of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries.

Dr. Pong – Funny name? Wait till you see the small bar with semi-pro ping pong players hanging around waiting to beat someone who dares to show a hint of that competitive streak in a game of ping pong! The best part of the club is that you can play the game, have a few beers and knock out a few patrons without starting up a bar brawl! Go to Eberswalder Strasse , 21 Presnzlauer Berg or take a look at www.drpong.net

Volkspark Freidrichshain – this is a beautiful park that lies in the middle of Presnzlauer berg; has several playgrounds, a jogging and a rollerblading track and a good restaurant for you to get a cup of coffee…perfect for a stop over from all that shopping and even more perfect to sit with good friend Cappuccino and enjoy doing nothing.

This nature preserve lies between Berlin and Cottbus and is a mish-mash of islands, swamps, waterways and forests. The area measures 45 miles long and 10 miles wide and is famous for Spreewald Bitter – a liqueur made from local herbs - and fantastic fish drawn up right from the river. Take a boat ride to truly understand the term “Unwinding” .

LocalSpeak!

We gleaned these secret tips from steadfast Berliners who are known for being painfully candid. We were also given some sound advice on what NOT to do when in Berlin and some tips only a true-blue Berliner can give you. Take a look:

Resist the temptation to buy an ‘authentic piece of the Berlin Wall” – the wall has been sold many times over!

Instead of visiting the East Side Gallery to see all the graffiti and artists’ paintings (and buying fake pieces of the Berlin wall) go to Bernauer Strausse and see the Berlin Wall Memorial and the Chapel of Reconciliation – both built in the memory of the victims of the Berlin Wall and the division of Germany.

Mostly everyone who visits Berlin pays €8 to climb atop the Berliner Fernsehturm and take pictures. The inside tip is to go instead to the Panorama –Punkt in the DaimlerChrysler Building and take the fastest elevator ride of your life (20 seconds!) up 25 stories and get panoramic views of the city. Yes, you would leave your stomach back on the ground floor, but the view makes it all alright

Make it a point to visit the Jewish Quarter of the city and give more than a serious thought to Kadima – a charming old world restaurant – for a very 1920s ambience and some heavenly food.

Instead of the usual one hour bus tours, do the Alternative Berlin Tour. You will get to see Berlin in a brand new way with sights that include abandoned sites, day time raves, hidden neighborhoods and a very surreal, very alternative shopping experience.

Travel Tips: Make the most of your Berlin experience

Besides what the local people would tell you to do or not do in Berlin there are some tips that are universal and would enrich your trip.

GENERAL

- Most Berliners are able to speak English although it helps to learn a few phrases of German.

- Although Berlin is a very safe city do take care of your baggage as there are some tourist-heavy places that suffer from pickpockets. This is especially true while traveling on trains during rush hours

- If you are staying in areas like Kreuzberg and northern NeuKolln, you may run the risk of a robbery or hold up. Be safe by not traveling alone or late at night in these areas.

- If in an emergency dial 112 for medical emergencies and fires and 110 for the Police. Most policemen are able to speak in English and corruption is non-existent in the police force so a bribe might land you behind the bars.

- Tipping in Berlin is a very discretionary affair. Although not expected if you want to tip a taxi driver, rounding up to the nearest Euro is enough. The same is true for tipping in restaurants, though service charges are usually included in the price.

FAMILIES

Vacationing in Berlin with your family is a great experience because there is something for everyone here. However, a little help with some of these tips is sure to make your vacation more comfortable and fun:

- Not everyone in the family might be a history buff, so include only the top three or four museums in your itinerary

- Don’t forget a visit to the Berlin Zoo – it is fun for kids and adults alike; keep four to five hours for this outing and include the Aquarium for its beautiful presentation of scores of species of fish and reptiles.

- Use the excellent Berlin public transport when traveling together – it will be cheaper than using cabs. Even better would be to get a Berlin WelcomeCard or a City pass that allows up to 5 people to travel on the same card.

- Shopping is sure to be on the menu! Here are a few things to take back from Berlin: binoculars and cameras, porcelain items, handmade crystal, silver and steelware, Solingen knives, toys from Nuremberg and musical instruments.

- Keep ALL passports and identity cards safe together – pickpockets are not uncommon in crowded trains and buses

- Although food is not very expensive in Berlin, you can keep to your budget by trying take-away food from an Imbiss or by trying the German staple – the Wurst.

COUPLES

- Berlin is one of the most vibrant cities this side of the ‘pond’ and can be extremely fun for a couple to be in. Make the most of this hip city by taking your partner to one of hundreds of classy clubs in the Mitte district.

- Berlin’s annual “Love Parade” is hot, happening and was created especially for couples – plan your trip to coincide with this mid – July love fest and surprise your partner by getting zany outfits made for both of you. Alternatively, you can try the Christopher Street Parade.

- Spend a day relaxing in Tiergarten and then take your partner to a romantic dinner at Il Casolare at Grimmstrasse. This Italian beauty lies right next to a bridge spanning the picturesque Landwehrkanal – a most romantic setting

What others say

Fodor’s recommends the Brandenburger Tor and Museumsinsel as the top two places to visit in Berlin. The website also recommends Facil – a French restaurant in Tiergarten as one of the top places to dine in the city. Frommer’s advises tourists to trot off to Bundespresse Strand – a mini beach on one of the city’s many canals on the Spree. Located right across the Reichstag in the center of the city this city ‘beach’ has two swimming pools, live music and a very romantic glass pavilion for those rainy days.

Berlin virtual Tour

If you want to explore Berlin from your computer, you can do this downloading this files to use with Google Earth software:

Berlin virtual tour part 1 (kmz file)

Berlin virtual tour part 2 (kmz file)

Berlin virtual tour part 3 (kmz file)

Berlin virtual tour part 4 (kmz file)