Germany
Berlin, July 2016
Accommodations
- Hotel INDIGO Berlin Alexanderplatz in Mitte: Technically a 4-star hotel under the large Indigo chain. Rooms are updated and the hotel is only minutes from Alexanderplatz. Shares the same reservation system as the Holiday Inn, located on the same property as Indigo, so make sure you book the correct hotel if booking by phone. Check out my TripAdvisor review.
- Arcotel John F: Another technically 4-star chain hotel but the actual rooms I would put as a 3 star. Nothing really special about them. The hotel location itself is convenient though in the center of Berlin Mitte. Don't bother with breakfast here, you can get better and cheaper at the restaurant behind the hotel. I wouldn't stay here again with all the other hotel options around. Check out my TripAdvisor review.
- Titanic Gendarmenmarkt: A 5-star hotel in the Gendarmenmarkt area that feels 5 star. I loved this place. The rooms were beautiful and coming from the Arcotel John F, it felt like night and day. I also got a really good price on the room so it was not breaking the bank. Check out my TripAdvisor review.
Sites/Tours
- Everywhere: I love history and I've read a lot of WWII history, so for me, Berlin was overflowing with places to take in. I felt like a sponge literally reading up on something at every turn. If I "had" to widdle down to some those most impactful to me, they would be:
- East Side Gallery: Largest surviving portion of the Berlin Wall now reflecting amazing street art with sometimes photographic exhibits on the other side.
- Typography of Terror: On the former site of the Gestapo and SS headquarters, much of this museum is outdoors and chronicles the atrocities.
- Reichstag Building Dome: It's worth getting tickets to go up the dome of the Reichstag, the interior core built with mirrors is beautiful and you get some pretty views from the top.
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe: Walk through the miriad maze of blocks. The grey stones almost feel as they are moving as the plain you are walking on actually increases and decreases. It's a somber reflection, don't forget to also go into the museum inside, below ground.
- Olympiastadion: Take the S-Bahn out here. Built for the 1936 Olympics, there is a ton of history here and you can tour the stadium on non event days. In the summertime you can swim in the Sommerbad Olympiastadion at the same location where the aquatic events of the Olympics used to take place.
- Strandbad Wannsee: In the summertime, take the S-Bahn out here as well. Strandbad Wannsee is one of the largest and most popular Lido's in Europe. If "Wannsee" sounds familiar it's because it too is a part of WWII history with the "Wannsee Conference". Not far from the Lido you can also walk over to the water sports center. I was able to rent a SUP (stand up paddleboard) for a couple hours to enjoy perusing the lake with the utmost calm waters.
Food
- Lokal: Farm to table German cooking. The focus is definitely on the quality of the food and not the number of options on the menu. Great place.
- Weingalerie & Cafe No!: Just like the name, this is a wine bar and bistro. The restaurant is on a quiet street but has a handful of outdoor seating for the summer. Can't go wrong with the wine, food is pretty tasty and the service friendly. Check out my TripAdvisor review.
- Dolores: Craving a burrito? Come here for California style burritos. Not too shabby, you definitely won't walk away still hungry after these burritos.