Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

I have been away a week so far, and already it seems like an epic journey. Travel plans were interrupted a bit by Heathrow fire and fog, so spent a couple of very comfortable nights with flight delays in Sydney and London. It was my first time in Berlin and a great BA flight that was a wee bit delayed. Copious apologies from the staff and an email the next day apologising for the delay – so different to our national carrier.

My Berlin soiree was cut short by a couple of days so booked tours to make sure I could pack a heap in. They were all excellent. I loved flying around Berlin on a bike. Super flat so incredibly easy riding. https://www.fattiretours.com/berlin/tours/highlights-of-berlin-bike-tour/

https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/Discover-Berlin-Half-Day-Walking-Tour/d488-3817DISCOVER

https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/Final-Days-of-World-War-2-Walking-Tour-of-Berlin/d488-5560WAR

I am so grateful to Jan for the fabulous recommendation to stay at the lovely Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin right on Alexanderplatz. The hotel was gorgeous, but the location was amazing. There was a train/bus strike on so being able to walk everywhere just made it all so easy. The trip from the airport to the hotel should have been easy, but the train kept stopping and everyone kept piling off onto a different train. Everyone spoke perfect English wherever I went expect for the trains. I was completely clueless what was going on with the constant stopping and starting and changing trains but later found out it was short strike action. Going back to the station was super easy with the strike over.

Maybe I am the only one that has never been to Berlin, but I kept asking myself why I hadn’t been before. I have never thought about Berlin as a foodie destination but ate some of the best food ever. Great brunches at Father Carpenter (in a gorgeous building) and Flamingo near Friedrichstrasse station, and the best modern Greek food anywhere at San Ena when I was too tired to go out. Of course, I had to eat schnitzel, and it was beyond delicious at a gorgeous small restaurant recommended by one of the guides – Trio. Hmmm, maybe I did also manage to eat fabulous strudel. 

I think I was expecting dark and austere buildings that aligned with the terrible past. What I found was stunning architecture and the prettiest of cities. I loved the walk from the hotel down to the Brandenburg Gate. The Pergamonmuseum is closed for the next 14-20 years. I did wonder about German efficiency, but every guide told us that was a thing of the past. The other museums were fantastic, and while the fabulously painted bust of Queen Nefertiti should be in Egypt, she does sit very regally in the beautiful Neues Museum on museum island.By far my favourite visit (I went back a few times) was to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. I found the 2711 concrete slabs incredibly moving. Fitting that it is built on the ‘death strip’ where part of the wall stood. I so enjoyed learning more about German history and felt it was so much more evident in Berlin than I have seen in my other travels through Germany. Jan is right – the city really wears its heart on its sleeve.