For my AMD 4 I read a blog called "Travel Guide: Berlin, Germany." It was written by a girl named Victoria on December 23, 2011. She said that walking down the streets of Berlin gave her mixed feelings because she could notice the modern and liberal type city it is but also that it has a very "tumultuous" past. She said "everywhere you turn, there is evidence of a much darker history" and that it is strange that until the 80s, it was divided by one big wall. Berlin has many vintage shops with a lot of great restaurants and a good party scene, she said. You can explore the city's museums, take a boat cruise along the river, or walk down the remaining sections of the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery during the day and come night you can go to one of its cool techno clubs and have a tasty kebab on your way home.
She talks about
getting around Berlin: It has really good public transportation such as buses, tram, and train services. You can save money by purchasing day or weekly passes in certain zones for U-Bahn or S-Bahn tickets. Also, tourists can purchase cards that allow unlimited travel and discounted access to some of Berlin's attractions.
Where to stay in Berlin: Berlin's hotels are rather cheap compared to other European cities she said. Popular hotels include The Circus Hostel and Wombats City Hostel. The apartments are also a good value for your money and offer more space than a hotel.
The food: It has plenty of different kinds of food due to being so multicultural and can be very affordable.
Things to do in Berlin: Go to the East Side Gallery which is a section of the Berlin Wall painted with artwork from artists all over the globe. This is a memorial for freedom and the largest open air gallery in the world. Also, you can go to the Brandenburg Gate. It is a symbol of a divided Germany but after the wall came down it represented the unification of East and West Berlin. And you could go to the Alexanderplatz which is a public square in Berlin which has the TV tower and other major monuments such as the World Time Clock and the Fountain of International Friendship. Most buildings here were destroyed in bombings in WW2 and after the war the square was filled with socialists architecture. She also lists other places to visit such as Checkpoint Charlie, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Berliner Dom.
Nightlife: It is known for its all-night partying and being one of the hippest cities in the world. It is particularly known for its techno clubs and Watergate was the most talked about while she was there she said. The district of Mitte is also a popular hotspot offering a variety of good restaurants, bars, and clubs.
I really enjoyed reading this blog because I liked reading about the first person opinion on what to do and what it is like in the city of Berlin. Since she has been there and experienced it, she provides some good information on the things listed above.
Blog URL: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travelblogs/145/140660/Travel+Guide%3A+Berlin%2C+Germany?destId=359343
