I HEART BERLIN
by Jennifer Palframan
I had always wanted to go to Berlin. As a history nut in high school and avid film student in university, I was always fascinated by this city so steeped in history. So I was understandably thrilled to be finally stopping off here on my Topdeck Europe trip.
First off, Berlin is clean, the architecture is imposing and there is such an air of uniformity about it. It is a big city but you don’t feel overcrowded and granted, I might be a mildly bitter Londoner, but Berlin definitely seemed to lack that rat race pace.
First on my list was the famous walking tour of Berlin, a must-do according to all of my friends who have visted the city. By the end of it, I was left weeping like a small child and showering our lovely guide gratitude. Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, that hotel where Michael Jackson dangled his baby. It is the ultimate history fix in just a few short hours. And how many people can say they have stood on Hitler’s Bunker?
History aside, this place is cool without batting an eyelid. Berlin is known for its alternative underbelly, with its famed club scene, multitude of artist’s squats and scrawlings of graffiti citywide.
With a number of touristy things knocked off my list, I was determined to make like a local for my free afternoon and see what Berlin was really about. It was a sunny day and our Topdeck trip leader recommended a local market. With not a tourist in sight I wandered the market that was filled with typical Berliners as well as antiques, old war memorabilia, jewellery, clothes, buskers and more. I only bought a €1 Berlin badge but the experience was completely worthwhile.
To help get a taste of Berlin’s legendary bar scene we went on a fantastic nightlife tour to see what all the fuss is about. Underground bars, clubs and fun ensued and the most memorable place was on the well-known Oranienburger Strasse. This bar was within a building several stories high, the interior crammed full of graffiti and actual artists at work. The massive outside bar area was covered in sand (a popular trend in Berlin) and to my delight we arrived to a crowd of people watching a man wearing a helmet with a rubber duck on top, flailing fire around in a rather maniacal fashion. It was, needless to say, a great night out.
To soak in all that Berlin can offer in a few short days was an impossible task, I can’t wait to go back. From the walking tour, local market, nightlife tour and exploring everything from the westernised West to the ever-cool East and a getting a bit lost on the way (always recommended), I can say that Berlin has become my favourite European city.
Experience Berlin on Topdeck’s 18 Day Winter Getaway, currently on sale from £985
www.topdeck.travel
Tags: berlin, brandenburg gate, checkpoint charlie
