Berlin Vacations

Overview

Berlin is the capital of Germany and the largest city in the country with over 3.4 million people. It is also one of the largest cities in the European Union. The city is well known for its role in World War II and the Berlin Wall that divided the nation and the city into two halves. The climate in the city is generally pleasant during summer, but gets bitterly cold during the winter season. The main language spoken in the city is German, though many people speak French and English.

Activities & Attractions

There are plenty of activities and attractions available in this city. Once totally in ruins after World War II, it has now reconstructed itself to become one of the top tourist destinations in the world. The city of Berlin has many governmental buildings including the German Parliament. Berlin has an excellent night life. There are many night clubs that cater to the needs of the visitors who wish to enjoy the nightlife here.

There is a large stretch of the Berlin Wall that is still intact found east of the city center along the River Spree in Mühlenstrabe, near the Oberbaumbrücke. When you are in the city, you can surely visit this historical wall.

Numerous activities are available for tourists to this place. You can attend orchestras and operas, visit the historical sites, and wander through the museums. You can visit the Dahlem Museum Complex, located in the southwest part of the city, near the University of Berlin. It has art museums with works by Old Masters and ethnographic museums that display artifacts from all round the world. The Egyptian (Agyptisches) Museum and Papyrus Collection, houses a 3000-year-old bust of Nefertiti. The New National Gallery, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and Copper Engraving Museum are other museums in the city that you can visit. The Bauhaus Archive (Museum of Design), Zoologischer Garten (Zoo), Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate), Checkpoint Charlie Museum, and DDR Museum are other well known places that you can visit in the city.

Lodging

Berlin offers plenty of lodging options to its visitors. Accommodations range from affordable inns and bed and breakfasts to expensive hotels. You can choose to stay in some famous hotels like Best Western Hotel City, Hotel Pension Columbus, The Reagent, Mercure Hotel and Residenz, and Johann Hotel.

Transportation

You can use the public transport system to travel around Berlin. The transport system is composed of buses, the U-Bahn (subway), the S-Bahn (light rail), trains, trams, and ferries. You can also hire taxis for sightseeing. Cycling is a great way to tour the city. There are also plenty of bicycle rental available in the city.