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Since having my little boy over 2 years ago, I thought that adult trips away were a thing of the past. But when my brother announced that he was planning a trip to Germany and that I should join him. I could not resist. As many of you probably already know, my whole family live in Australia. Perth to be exact. Family weekends away in another country were just not feasible when I was growing up. So the thought of exploring a new country with my brother was beyond exciting. We could party hard, explore a new culture and catch up all at once. Plus I had never been to Germany and had heard so many good things about it. So I booked my flights and had a 4 day weekend in Berlin. Here are My Top Things To Do & See In Berlin.
The Berlin Wall
One of the first things I was keen to see was the Berlin Wall. After watching Bridge of Spies not that long ago, I was intrigued by this part of German history. That was scarily not that long ago. There are only a handful of sites in Berlin where the original wall still remains. The most famous are Check Point Charlie and The East Side Gallery.
The East Side Gallery was something I had on my to do list and was my first stop when I arrived. Mostly because of the controversial and widely famous art works. It is a huge tourist area and I would recommend getting there early to avoid the crowds and get the pictures you want. I was both impressed and underwhelmed with the gallery. The gallery itself is very long and after a few miles we stopped and turned back. There are only a small number of really good art to see despite the wall being covered. And the crowds of people were too much.
What was impressive was to see the actual wall. There were two walls built with a space in the middle of them called “The Death Zone’. Near the East Side Gallery they have a part where both walls still stand. It is eerie visiting it and knowing the turmoil many people suffered trying to escape.
Holocaust Memorial & Nazi Museum
I had seen pictures of this memorial on the internet and thought it was essential to check it out. I was not disappointed. The memorial is a work of art unlike anything else. It is not only clever and unique but is also haunting and thought provoking. Designed by Peter Eisenman, the site covers 19 000 square metres with 2711 concrete slabs of different heights spread across it. It is a beautiful place of remembrance and is open 24/7. I think it set the tone very well and really evokes an emotional response.
If you are interested in how the Nazi Party was able to take over Germany, then you need to visit The Typography of Terrors. It is a museum dedicated to Nazi Germany and starts from the very beginning to the end. It is a very disturbing at the same time informative museum and leaves you in disbelief at how it all happened. I was impressed at how open they were about their past without shying away from questions about why the German people at the time fell under the nazi spell.
Brandenburg Gate
Probably the most famous monument in Berlin. The Brandenburg Gate is another must see attraction. However the gate is more than just a neoclassical structure which had it’s Quadriga stolen by Napolean. It is a symbol of a united Berlin after the Cold War and fall of the Berlin Wall. When I first saw the gate, it was the finish line for the Berlin Marathon and was swarmed with proud runners taking pictures with their medals. But when I returned later in the night I saw just how beautiful and symbolic it can be. I would suggest visiting it in the evening as the sunset makes the lights around it very spectacular.
House of Small Wonders
For me a very important part of travelling is food. I always want to visit the best places for food and drink and I make sure to do some research before I go. One cafe that was an absolute must for me was The House of Small Wonders. This quirky little cafe is unlike any other. It looked like it should have been set in a Tim Burton movie. The plants hanging off the wall, the vintage props everywhere and the menu inside a book all made this cafe an instagrammers heaven. The Food was also quirky as I tasted steamed eggs and an apple cider smoothie for the first time! I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for something different and photo worthy.
After a great few days exploring with my brother I was eager to get home to my baby. It is funny how we crave getting away yet miss them as soon as we leave. Overall I enjoyed Berlin and can’t wait to explore more of Germany in the future.
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