Fascinating Berlin

To best enjoy Berlin, you should do some studying beforehand, and bring along a guidebook. The city can best be appreciated with a knowledge of its significant place in history. Berlin played a role in the formation of Germany, the rise and fall of the Nazi party, the division of democracy and communism, and a reunification process that made the city, and Germany as a whole, one again.

Sadly, much of this history is invisible due to the damage during World War II. However, many important buildings remain or have been reconstructed, and Berlin has a beauty of its own. The war seems to be an ever-present factor in the minds of Berliners, with the huge number of monuments, statues, memorials, and museums based on that piece of history. While it is important for the visitor to also experience these things and places, there is more to the city.

A good place to start is on Unter den Linden, a street running up to the Brandenburger Tor, one of Berlin's most famous landmarks. Along this street, you will find the Staatsoper, Humboldt University, and a host of museums and monuments.

For those seeking a more modern atmosphere, head to Potzdamer Platz, a transportation hub and the location of many of the newest, tallest, and fanciest offices and stores in town. Many of the major multinationals have settled here, an indication of the Western influence following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Days could be spent visiting only museums. Highlights include the Museum of Modern Art and the Egyptian Museum. If you happen to visit on the first Sunday of the month, most museums are free, which is a huge benefit considering that many are not cheap.

Quick Tips:

To experience all that Berlin offers in whatever time you have, do some planning because the city is huge and a short visit is insufficient to see everything. History or lovers may be drawn to the museums, while others may like to shop or experience theater, opera, or dance. My visit of two days was much too short, but too little time is better than none at all. If you have the time, I would recommend at least a week.

The prices in Berin are slightly higher than many other places in Germany, but much less than in places like Paris or London. For the budget traveler, there are plenty of hostels, cheap snack bars and cafes, and even free entertainment. Of course, for the more opulent spender, Berlin offers luxury accommodation and dining that is comparable to the best in Europe.

Best Way To Get Around:

As mentioned before, Berlin is huge, so you will almost definitely need to use the extensive public transportation system. This consists of buses, trains, and a subway. You can buy all-day passes for about seven euros, and a single ride costs 2,10. The transportation system operates throughout the night, although it scales back after about midnight.

Taxis are readily available, although expensive, as in any city. Walking is always the nicest way to see a city, but the size of Berlin means that what appears to be a short walk on your map may take the better part of an hour. Just plan your time carefully to make the most of your visit.

City Hostel Meininger 10 is one of the nicest hostels I've seen. The building is nice, clean, and modern. Unlike most hostels, here I booked one bed in a double room, but I only had to pay for one bed and was guaranteed that I would have the room to myself. Thus, I paid only 25€.

The hostel is in a fairly good location too. From Zoo Station in the center, you take a bus for about 15 minutes and the hostel is just a block away. If you buy an all-day transportation ticket, the bus ride is included in the price.

My room had two twin beds with clean linens, a sink, and a large closet. The toilets and showers were down the hall, and they were also quite clean.

The staff members were friendly and helpful, and even offered me a free bottle of Coke when I checked in. The reception is open 24 hours a day and you must leave your key when you leave the building.

Breakfast is included in the price of the room and is served from 7-10am. The breakfast included bread with a number of spreads, cheeses, meats, cereals, and beverages.

In all, I would highly recommend this hostel based on the price, location, and facilities.

I went to a Sunday night ballet performance of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty in the Berlin Staatsoper. The show was amazing, but just to see the building itself is a worth the ticket price.

The Staatsoper is on Unter den Linden, one of the fanciest streets in the city. Not far from the Brandenburger Tor, it is in the heart of Berlin. The building, from the outside, looks like many of its neighbors, but becomes much more special when you enter.

You can buy or pick up tickets just inside the doors and then you enter another set of doors to go into the lobby. With lush colors and crystal chandeliers, you immediately find yourself in a most elegant setting. Although travelers seem to be accepted in grubbier clothes, many of the opera goers are dressed to the nines and this adds to the classy atmosphere.

Inside the opera house, there is a large number of seats on the floor, then there are several balconies that climb vertically. While this looks very nice, the higher levels may have limited visibility of the stage, especially on the sides. Nonetheless, the ticket prices reflect that factor, and start at very affordable levels.

The official website is in English and gives information about the performances, ticket prices, and location of the building. You can also order tickets online and pick them up at the building, or they will be mailed to you if you order more than 10 days in advance.