Berlin Journals

Bumming Around Berlin

Best of IgoUgo

An August 2006 trip to Berlin by lucinda3

Soldier Photo - Checkpoint Charlie and Museum, Berlin, Germany

Quote: Exploring Berlin has allowed me to appreciate the rich history and the diversity of its modern culture.

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The Westin Grand Berlin

Hotel

Quote:

The Westin Grand Berlin is located in the former East Berlin. I've stayed at this hotel on two occasions. The hotel is in process of renovations, so some rooms are more modern than others. At the time of the reservation, you can make a request for a newer room.Check-in time is at 3pm and I've found them to be inflexible at times about this. It seems that they preassign guests to a specific room and then wait for it to be available. I've had to insist on being given a room when some are clearly available.The second floor is actually above street level, but at ground level of an inner courtyard. Therefore, there are glass doors leading outside. WiFi access is offered...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 25, 2006

The Westin Grand Berlin
FRIEDRICHSTR 158 164
Berlin, Germany
49-30-20270

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Good Time

Restaurant

Quote:

Good Time is a modern Thai restaurant in Berlin. The restaurant appears to have been professionally decorated, with streamlined leather benches, sofas, and chairs as the seating.I ate lunch there during the week. Since I was dining alone, I chose to sit at the front of the restaurant, with a view of the street and passersby.The menu is extensive, with a range of appetizers (such as spring rolls) and entrees which included chicken, beef, duck, and vegetarian selections.The food is beautifully presented, with artistically cut vegetable garnish.I enjoyed the food very much. The chicken dish I ordered was flavorful and spicy in a light sauce. It was served with ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 18, 2006

Good Time
Hausvogteiplatz 11
Berlin, Germany 10117
+49 (30) 20 07 48 70

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Edo Sushi Bar

Restaurant | "Gaststätte Edo Sushi & More"

Quote:

I had heard that Berlin is quite cosmopolitan in terms of its food selection, so I was anxious to try cuisine apart from traditional German dishes. Even though I flew to Berlin from Tokyo, I hadn't gotten the desire for sushi out of my system.I asked the concierge for a recommendation of a sushi restaurant within walking distance of the hotel, and he pointed me to Edo. It was a bit hard to find since it's off of the main road (Friedrichstrasse) on a very small side street.Entering the restaurant, I was very pleased with the look of the food and the atmosphere. There was a sushi bar and a small dining room, with the typical Japanese decor. The even had the entryway cloths over t...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 29, 2006

Edo Sushi Bar
Rosmarinstr. 8/9
Berlin, Germany 10117
030 20635060

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Checkpoint Charlie and Museum

Attraction | "Checkpoint Charlie Museum"

Quote:

The Checkpoint Charlie Museum is definitely worth a trip inside. Although there is a description of the overall history lining the sidewalks outside, there is much more to appreciate about the wall and people's personal experiences with it. For €9.50, you can enter the multi-floor museum. Some of the most impressive displays in the museum are the contraptions people built to escape East Berlin. There are tiny cars that were converted to allow people to hide inside as they pass through the border crossing and risk being discovered during an inspection. There are hot air balloons, equipment used to dig tunnels or pass under water, and more. Also quite interesting is the human as...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 18, 2006

Checkpoint Charlie and Museum
Friedrichstrasse 43
Berlin, Germany 10969
+49 30 25 37 25 0

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Checkpoint Charlie and Museum

Attraction | "Checkpoint Charlie"

Quote:

Just a 10-minute walk or so from The Westin is Checkpoint Charlie. On my way to visit this famous site, I looked down at the sidewalk and saw stones that mark the former location of the Berlin Wall. These stones are throughout the city, crossing sidewalks, roads, etc. Near Checkpoint Charlie, you can see how the wall shifts direction, creating a zigzag pattern, presumably around former buildings.At Checkpoint Charlie itself, there is the border crossing stand. Soldiers are there now for a paid photo opportunity for tourists. Another site for tourists is a stand where you can get your passport or anything else stamped with the location and date.There are also signs that indicat...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 25, 2006

Checkpoint Charlie and Museum
Friedrichstrasse 43
Berlin, Germany 10969
+49 30 25 37 25 0

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Jewish Museum Berlin (Jüdisches Museum)

Attraction | "Judisches Museum"

Quote:

The Jewish Museum is located in the former West Berlin. From where I stayed at the Westin Grand Berlin, it was walking distance (probably about 25 minutes if you walked straight there).The architecture of the museum is impressive. There are 2 buildings that make up the museum: an older, traditional building that is the museum entrance and a more modern, multi-floor structure that houses the exhibit.The museum was designed not only to display the history of the Jews in Germany, but also to allow museum goers the opportunity to experience some of the emotions of their struggles.Chronologically, the exhibit starts on the top floor. Arrows on the floor guide you through ea...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 26, 2006

Jewish Museum Berlin (Jüdisches Museum)
Lindenstrasse 9-14
Berlin, Germany 10969
+49 (30) 25993-300

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Brandenburg Gate

Attraction | "The Brandenburg Gate"

Quote:

The Brandenburg Gate is a must see for your visit to Berlin. It's a quick stop at about 15 minutes to read about the history and snap a few photos. There are a few signs around the square that tell a little detail of the history. Note that English does appear on one side of the signs.

The gate was build in the late 18th Century as prominent entrance to the developing town square. The architecture of the gate is impressive. But, don't just look from afar. Walk underneath the gate to see up close the artistry between the columns. If you walk just a bit further to the road, you can see the zigzag path of where the Berlin Wall used to be. It runs through the current street.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 27, 2006

Brandenburg Gate
Pariser Platz
Berlin, Germany