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Also consider our previous trip to Berlin in June 2014
Also consider our trip to Munich for the Christmas markets December 2022
Also consider our earlier trip to Munich in August 2019
Also consider our trip to Heidelberg and Muenster in 2011
There are lots more to see in Berlin than we saw on our trip May 29-June 5 2014, so 8 years later we are going back.
Depart Austin Wednesday afternoon August 17, change in London, and arrive at the new Berlin airport on Thursday mid-day. Our return will be the reverse, leaving Thursday morning early, changing in London, and arriving on Thursday afternoon in Austin. Our tickets say American Airlines, but the airplanes all say British Airways.
The US Dollar is strong, so the value of a Euro is $1.02 - almost equal to Dollar. Thankfully we don't have "that many" left over Euros bought at a much higher price.
The Berlin Willie Brandt Brandenburg Airport (BER) officially opened on October 31, 2020, 27 km south of the city, billions of Euros over budget and nearly a decade late. It replaced the nearby Schoenfeld (SXF) airport which became BER Terminal 5. It also replaced the Tegel airport (TXL) which is now closed to all flights. The Tempelhof airport (closed in 2008, near Tegel) has become a public park; TXL terminal will become a University building, and the surrounding area 5,000 apartments and an industrial park.
The important part of BER is that there is a train station in Terminal 1, U2 level, 10 minute walk from arrivals. Airport Express train FEX or Regional Trains RE7 or RB14 go to Friedrichstrasse central station. One way ticket for adults is €3.60 each (zone ABC), runs every 30 minutes, and takes 30 minutes to the central train station, Hauptbahnhof. If you are going to our hotel near Checkpoint Charlie switch to the U6 and exit at "Stadtmitte". Take the elevator to the street, a few feet from Leipziger Straße - take a right and walk a half block. The hotel is on the right side.
eSim cards are new in Germany. Telekon Germany (formerly T-Mobile) has them with 5G data. Vodafone may have them. O2 does not have 5G on prepaid plans.
Berlin taxi drivers are required to take debit/credit cards. Airport taxi is €45-50 and takes 45 minutes, far longer than the train.
"Free Now" is not free, but competes with Uber, and if they are too busy, can order a regular taxi through their app.
These are common beverage prices in Europe, especially Germany
Ever wonder why they drink so much beer?
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We chose to stay at the NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie hotel. Leipziger Str. 106-111, 10117 Berlin, the same as the last time we were in Berlin. It is hard to remember that this was on the East Germany side of the wall since it is in such an upscale area. However the best subway stop is Stadmitte which was in East Berlin, not Kochstraße (Checkpoint Charlie) which was in West Berlin. |
Checkpoint Charlie was one of the few ways through the Berlin Wall that isolated West Berlin from the surrounding East Berlin from 1961 to 1989. The wall was basically to keep East Germans from escaping to the West. In reality the checkpoint could only be used for official visits, and consisted of heavy military barricades in addition to the guard shack (no tourists in casual dress in the background). The fall of the wall in 1990 led to the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990. |
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Today it is perhaps best identified by a large McDonald's on the American/West side. When we were here 8 years ago there were folks in fake military uniforms that would take a picture with you for a tip.
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This is a complex of buildings making five art and history museums, built between 1824 and 1930. The individual museum buildings are in various architectural styles that reflect the different contents of that museum. In 1999 it became a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
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The building on the right side of the picture above is Berliner Dom, called the Cathedral. It is a protestant church (no bishop), with regular "masses" and public events such as concerts. |
The first museum of the group is the Altes Museum, including lots of Greek and Roman artifacts |
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The focus of our visit was the Pergamon museum. This is the Ishtar Gate from Babylon (Iraq) 7th - 6th century BC. |
How are these historic walls/gates moved? the local rubble is collected and carefully packed for the museum to reassemble when it arrives. |
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The Market Gate from Miletus - Milet (Turkey) 100 AD. |
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We took a tourist boat ride on the river, and saw the prominent Bode Museum, but did not explore its 13th to 18th century collection. Note the landmark Television Tower in the left side of the picture. |
Brandenburg gate is a famous landmark in the Center City, here copied in Chocolate. The Rausch store sells all kinds of Chocolate products, and even has a cafe. |
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German Parliment (Reichstag Building) |
Chocolate Mercedes - note the person behind the car for the scale. |
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Finally, the Victory Column in life and in Chocolate |
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