Berlin

Hello all! I am finally home from my Eastern European adventure! I am so excited to share about all the cities that I have visited over the past 2.5 weeks. I traveled with EF Ultimate Break which is a group travel company for adults ages 18-29. They offer many trips in varied lengths and destinations. The tour that I chose traveled through 6 cities in Eastern Europe. Over the next few weeks, I will share my favorite parts about each destination and offer some advise for your own travels!

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Our first stop was Berlin, Germany! This was actually my second time in Berlin, my first was last January, and I was looking forward to returning and seeing more of the city. We did all the classic landmarks as well as some new things that I had not done my first time! I will highlight all of my favorites below!

East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery is a section of the Berlin Wall still standing but with several murals and paintings done by artists around the world! This was one attraction I did not do my first time in Berlin, and I am so glad I got to see it this time! Any Berlin first timer must make time to walk down the street and gaze at these works of art!

Berlin Wall Memorial

This is a different section of the Berlin Wall that looks more like how it did when it divided the city. You can see the watch towers and the different variations of the wall over the years that it stood in the city. In realit, it’s a concrete big wall, but you have to see it at least once in your life.

Brandenburg Gate & Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe

Brandenburg gate is an iconic Berlin landmark. It’s also gorgeous. My first time to Berlin i caught myself just staring at it for a while. During the Cold War this monument stood on East Berlin. Once the Wall was demolished, locals and tourists alike walk freely from side to side.

The memorial is like a work of art. Each person has their own representation of how it makes them feel. Walking through it, the ground is uneven. Sometimes you can’t see around the large concrete blocks making you feel disoriented or confused. Turns out, the artist that designed this memorial was trying to capture the feelings the Jews must have felt going to the camps. There is also a free museum that follows a few Jewish families and their experiences during the Holocaust. It can get emotional but if you have time go to the museum, it’s worth it.

Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was one of the checkpoints people had to pass between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. There are re-enactment soldiers as well as the original signs stating what the checkpoint was for. This is also something I didn’t do my first time in Berlin. There is also more informative billboards down the street to explain more of how the checkpoint worked in action. Again, if I ever find myself back in Berlin I’ll skip this tourist attraction... but you should see it at least once in your life.

Reichstag Building

This government building is used for the German parliament. The most famous aspect of this building is the glass dome that can be visited by the public. It is hard for large groups to get space to view the dome but our tour director pulled a few strings for us to see it! The views of the city were gorgeous but other than that this attraction could be skipped...

Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral)

This is probably one of my favorite buildings in the whole city. Its gorgeous interior and exterior are something truly to be seen! The best part is you can climb up to a viewing deck to see amazing views of the city! Inside there is also a small museum, gift shop and café. The area around the cathedral is called Museum Island which is home to some of the most famous museums in the city. There is something for everyone... art, history, science, you name it!

Food Scene & Night Life

Berlin's food scene is unique in the way that the Berlin Wall influenced the city. When the wall fell, the cultural influences in certain parts of the city were still very prevalent. I would suggest going to a Russian tea house and trying the iconic curry wurst. If you go during the holidays, you can find delicious goodies at one of the many Christmas markets. You can find pretty much any type of food in Berlin for what ever you are craving.

As far as night life goes, Germans like to party. I for one am not the best person to give you advise on what to do in the evening since I like to be asleep by 11 pm but I heard of a variety of clubs and bars that other people in my group enjoyed while we were in Berlin. Clubbing is very popular, there are tons of clubs in Berlin but I heard good things about The Matrix and Soda Club. I can't really elaborate since I did not personally visit these clubs. Fun bars are everywhere in Berlin, I'm sure you'll find one you vibe with.

Accessibility & Public Transportation

The public transportation system in Berlin is very reliable and efficient. The underground tram system is my preferred method of transportation. It is easy to navigate as well. The bus system is a little more iffy but still good nonetheless. It's always good to have accommodations near a tram stop though so you can have easy access to the whole city! But, when all else fails, Uber is available as well and is pretty cheap.

Next Stop...

Overall, I love Berlin. The history in the city alone is something that everyone should experience... you know, if that's your thing. I'm glad that I have visited Berlin twice, it gave me a chance to see even more of the city that I never would have known I missed. But for now, it's time for Poland!

we'll talk soon,

meg✨