This can all seem like a long time ago in the days of Schengen, EU expansion and budget airlines, but the legacy of these years is still to found stretching across the continent of Europe ‘from Stettin on the Baltic to Trieste on the Adriatic’.

The city that was affected more than any other during this period was Berlin. In the heart of the divided continent was a divided city, the infamous Berlin Wall separating families and loved ones as well as Germans from other Germans. Perhaps it is a result of the ferocity with which the Cold War struck the city that it has been so eager to move on. Reconciliation and development have changed Berlin almost beyond recognition, although some stirring attempts at remembrance exist within that. Checkpoint Charlie is today a mere parody of itself, but the dotted brick line in the streets winding its way through the city where the wall used to be, and especially the killing zone on the eastern side, are eerie reminders of the horror of the wall.

Elsewhere in Europe the legacy can be more tangible or more esoteric. Travelling by train across borders that were once tightly closed, or circling in planes over the outskirts of former Communist cities, the difference in wealth is immediately obvious. The countries of Eastern Europe have metaphorically rushed westwards in the last twenty years but two decades of boom cannot reverse the effects of four decades of stagnation and the most destructive war the planet has ever seen. In things as mundane as un-swept streets, peeling paint and pavements cracks can the legacy of the Iron Curtain be seen.

Across Eastern Europe, drab Communist era tower blocks advertise the land that architecture forgot but these are usually complemented by castles and cathedrals from before the Cold War period or exciting modern buildings demonstrating that dreariness is a thing of the past.

It would be a mistake to think that the legacy of the Iron Curtain is positive on the West and negative on the East. Communism was a harsh and vicious master but it has left the people mostly free of the consumerism and wastefulness obvious in the west. On a more personal note, I love the railway stations of the east. These usually remain from the days of steam and carry with them an atmosphere of romance and anticipation, even, or perhaps especially, when seen through a curtain of rain. Western railway stations are, generally speaking, soulless, unfeeling places that rob travel of any of its romance and turn it into an endurance rather than a pleasure.

Top 5 Berlin Hotels near Checkpoint Charlie

• Mercure Hotel & Residence – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: €97
• Apartments Checkpoint Charlie Berlin-Mitte – Price: €110
• Adina Apartment Hotel – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: €95
• The Mandala Hotel – Luxury Hotel – Room Price: €185
• Hotel NH Berlin – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: €129

Photo of Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany, by f-l-e-x

The sprawling city is dotted with a plethora of restaurants to satisfy any desire or taste. From luxurious french cuisine to the corner curry wurst stand you can find a range of great options to fit any budget. However, I am going to focus on the cheaper side where there is still an amazing assortment of great restaurants.

1. Middle eastern restaurant in the Kreutzberg district

First off is an amazing middle eastern restaurant in the Kreutzberg district. Located on Spreewaldplatz across from Goerlitzer park and a few meters from the Goerlitzer Bahnhof on the U1 line is a wonderful little place usually overflowing with people. Perhaps the best schwarma and falafel in Berlin, this place will leave you stuffed and satisfied. Order the plate for 2 if you are with a friend and you will be presented with a giant pile of deliciousness. An abundance of roasted chicken, falafel balls, deep fried feta cheese, humus and a selection of salads will delight your tastebuds. Wash it down with wonderful black tea, offered free of charge with every meal. Best of all a meal for two will be under 10 euro and will probably leave you with leftovers for an after bar snack.

2. Trendy Wine Bar in Prenzlauer Berg

In Prenzlauer Berg, there is a wonderful cafe that has a unique dinning experience. During the day they serve coffee and the typical accompanying pastries as well as wonderful homemade soups for only two euro a bowl. It might be the best deal in town for a midday meal. There are usually two options available with one meat and one vegetarian. As the day turns to dusk the place transforms into a trendy wine bar with a catch – it is based on the honor system. Each guest pays one euro to get a glass and then helps themselves to as much wine as they want – a variety of white and red wines are available as well as some roses and dessert wines. A limited buffet is also offered starting at 8 pm although it is often gone by 8:30. At the end of the evening each person is responsible for paying as much as they feel is appropriate for the amount of food and drink they consumed. You place your payment in a large glass jar and step outside into the cool Berlin night. The cafe sits at the corner of Fehrbelliner Strasse and Veteranenstrasse across for Volkspark am Weinberg.

3. Curry Wurst in Kreutzberg

For our last edible delight I will talk about something that is not necessarily unique in Berlin but rather unique to Berlin. There is nothing quite like a piping hot curry wurst after a night on the town. A fried bockwurst covered in ketchup and curry powder and your choice of sides – I would go for the fried onions – is definitely not the healthiest choice but one of the most satisfying. Although they aren’t hard to find, a great curry wurst is worth seeking out. I would recommend looking in two places. Curry 36 on Mehringdamm 36 – I wonder where they got their name – once again in Kreutzberg has the reputation of being the best wurst stand in the city. It is busy at almost any hour of the day with people bursting out onto the sidewalk. Best visited with a belly full of beer! If you happen to be in town in the fall winter or spring and its a Saturday check to see if their is a Herta football match. This is my second recommendation for the ideal environment for a hearty curry wurst. Vendors line up outside the stadium offering all sorts of beers and of course the famous German sausages. Grab one before and after the game!

There are so many great meal options in Berlin and almost all are affordable for all types of travelers. These three offer a combination of affordability, great taste and of course some local charm.

Top 5 Budget Hotels in Berlin

• Hotel Alte Feuerwarche – Double Room from €34
• Hotel Berolina – Double Room from €35
• Amstel House Berlin Hostel – Double Room from €49
• Pension Gasteiner Hof - Double Room from €54
• Generator Berlin Hostel – Double Room from €64

Photo of currywurst plate by Kent Wang

• Not-to-be-missed attraction in Berlin, Germany: AdventureGirl recommends a visit to the 1.3km-long Berlin Wall East Side Gallery, the world’s largest open air gallery .

• Gourmet holiday in Northern Italy: Tweetaly invites travelers to visit Eataly in Turin, the biggest food and wine center in the world.

• Art works and designers clothes shopping in Rome, Italy: Joup likes the used market in Pigneto, one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the Eternal City.

• Morocco travel tips: My Marrakesh recommends always booking train tickets in advance and traveling in 1st class for a guaranteed seat.

• Good coffee and pastries in Mumbai, India: Travel Dudes likes the Café Basilico.

Photo of Berlin Wall East Side Gallery by skinnydiver

If you are in Berlin during this fantastic time, you should definitely put shopping to you list of the most impressive things to experience in the German capital. Even if you are not planning to buy anything, there are so many things to window-shop! You can first dive in to the shopping districts of the Friedrichstrasse and the Kurfurstendamm and then gravitate towards little charming stores around the Hackescher Markt and Kastanienalleein in Mitte and the Frankfurter Allee in Friedrichshain. Glossy trend-setting designer establishments and funky boutiques – what else do you need to satisfy the most dedicated shopaholic?

Fashion represents the city as it is with its unique mixture of small independent shops and department stores. If you are short on time and still want to get the most out of the urban, cosmopolitan and multicultural spirit of the metropolis, here are some suggestions to bright up your urban style. It’s shoptime!

1. Le Gang

Walking down the Pappelallee in Prenzlauer Berg, you cannot help but drop into this wonder store. Le Gang represents a vibrant Berlin style subculture. Except for the beautiful graphics on the walls, the store is free of fussy details. It is a wonderland of T-shirts and what if not a T-shirt has a simple style and always reflects a personal touch? This shop space is a paradise for young and hip shoppers. They say that soon they are going to expand their stock of this small T-shirt gallery to shoes and trousers. Besides, it a great place for some teeny-tiny robot toys shopping!

Address: Pappelallee, 85

2. Styleserver

Styleserver, previously known as a solely online style guru, expanded to the real land store to indulge the needs of Berlin shopaholics and their traveling friends. This place offers a lot of fiercely modern but street-friendly aesthetic wear to upgrade the look of fashion aficionados. Berlin fashion labels represented in this store can fulfill the dreams of demanding female audience. Styleserver mainly features collections by POP Cph, Tofu, Minimarket, Realitystudio, Esther Perbandt and Julia & Ben that will help you to generate creativity and express it through your look with unpretentious, energetic and casual fashion, smooth fabrics, fresh colors and unusual cuts. There is no way you can find better baggy pants and dress-able-shirts in the city!

Address: Oderberger Strasse, 49

3. Flagship Store

Styleserver is not the only shop you cannot miss being in the Oderberger Strasse neighborhood. Visit to the Flagship Store continues your introduction to the city’s designer scene. Looking for a perfect Berlin outfit by German designers? There is a unique concentration of seven fashion schools in Berlin not for nothing. Even though this place is surrounded by a number of other stores, the unique character of such designers as Froks, Butterflysoulfire, Klar Berlin, Ansoho, Stylein, and Slowmo make it stand out. And these are only a few of the featured labels. The Flagship Store is named so for a reason: it carries the leading affordable, unique creations from designers living in Berlin – and there are always fresh and exciting things to find!

Address: Oderberger Strasse, 53

4. Flex

If you value exclusivity and do not want to look like every second person on the street and still not willing to pay a fortune for your outfits, you should go check Flex out. This new shop offers really nice clothes by rare designers that are hard to find: sophisticated male attire by Van Dale, cheerful prints by Gitte Wetter, cute tube dresses and jumpsuits by Samsoe Samsoe, Surface To Air, Modern Amusement and fantastic knit wear by Wear It For The Boy. Most of the enumerated names are Scandinavian fashion labels and who if not them are famous for their stylish people. Here you are sure to find a stylishly Scandinavian bargain!

Address: Kastanienallee, 13/14

5. Made in Berlin

Bit by bit, Germans start to increase their interest in vintage clothing. And so do all world’s biggest shopaholics. The number of brand spanking new places selling second hand pieces in Berlin rapidly is rocketing. I especially like Made in Berlin. This place is sometimes too packed by local hipsters, however you should be patient in order to find you look. Made in Berlin offers tons of stunning pieces that are emblematic of vintage couture style. Here you can fuse different styles picking up high fashion clothes and fast fashion hot oldies; mix colors, shapes and fabrics and create your own Berlin vintage flare style. Look for Adidas, Nike, Burberry and Lacoste and some nameless but pretty special brands.

Address: Neue Schoenhauser Strasse, 19

And just some more friendly tips:

• Take a BIG shopping bag with you. When it is Sales Time, people running crazy in the stores will pass this addiction to you and you will need a huge bag for your purchases!

• Take your best friends – credit cards. You might find some items that will leave you no chance to stay indifferent. And cash might do no good for you in this case.

• Tell you shopping-unconcerned friends or parents that you are visiting some museum or at least a gallery, so they would not be too worried if you get disappeared for hours and hours. Enjoy the shopping!

Photo of vintage clothing shop in Berlin, Germany, by ariaddna

From celebrities anxious to see its wonderful array of art, hotels and glamorous restaurants, to adventurous young Europeans looking for naughty nightlife, this city seems to have nearly every modern luxury.

Beneath this “new face” of Berlin, however, lies a backbone of decay and cold war history. It is these rare treasures that another kind of traveler comes to Berlin for. In my months living here I’ve been fascinated with the abandoned spaces, relics of the wall and reclaimed spaces, old townhouses turned into clubs; ancient department stores into art spaces. So when I heard there existed an abandoned American radio station at the highest point of the city in the west, I knew I had to go there immediately.

In wintertime, Berlin lies under flat gray skies. Everything is encompassed in the most destitute of light, so the opportunity to take a perfect picture is few and fair between. One day I woke up to a beautiful blue sky, and I knew I needed to take advantage of it, SLR in hand, and begin my long awaited journey to Teufelsberg. My destination stood in Grünewald Forest, a hillside created out of rubble from the Second World War that sits on top of an underground Nazi military college (the infamous building was sealed with cement by Allied forces following the war; it is the source of many urban legends and ghost stories, but has never been uncovered). A short trip on the SBahn would bring me to the edge of the forest, and from there it would just be a quick hike up the hillside to the fence of the radio station on top.

When I, joined by a partner in crime, dismounted the SBahn, it was easy to forget we were only a few minutes from the glamorous parts of Berlin. The forest’s slim trees and pleasant walking paths were worlds away from the shiny modern architecture at Potsdamer Platz, Mitte’s cafes or the bussel of Alexanderplatz. I had reached the edge of the city, and there was nowhere to go but up. Seeing as it was winter, the area was quiet, though I’ve heard that it is a popular destination for joggers, pet owners and families of picnickers. We lavished in the solace, taking the opportunity to shoot a couple silly artistic nudes in the fields of snow, between trees shading us from the light of the setting sun (ahem, note to aspiring exhibitionists: people do jog in wintertime).

After sacrificing some dignity for our art, we hopped back into our thick coats, walked all the way around the fence at the top searching for a way through, then finally found an entryway into the fortress of Teufelsberg. Unfortunately this entryway came in the shape of a 1by4foot hole in a steel fence. We nearly had to get naked again in order to slip through (it wasn’t until the end of the day when I was lodged halfway through this deathtrap that an older woman and her husband came along and told us about the entryway a few feet in the other direction. Oops). Once inside, we were treated to the visual mind explosion we had been hoping for, making the climb well worth the effort.

The history of Teufelsberg (translation: Devil’s Mountain) in itself is something to be admired when visiting the site. Built in the post-war era by the US National Security Association (NSA), the huge, globe-like radio transmitters served to provide 24 hour a day surveillance over East Berlin. The “Big Brother” aspect of the site is chilling it itself, be it in the panoramic overlooking view of Berlin and its citizens, or the rooms full of wires and broken radio equipment. Elaborate surveillance technology has always to me echoed the scariness of totalitarian control and its counterparts. History aside however, the real joy in Teufelsberg, as a photographer and a free-living Berliner, is its post-apocalyptic aesthetic. Walls are missing, glass is shattered everywhere, the walls of the open indoor space have become a graffiti artist’s paradise. The canvas covering of the once immaculate space-like globes has become dilapidated, its holes letting in beams of afternoon light. At the highest point, after climbing six or seven floors of stairs in pitch-black darkness, you can see a mass body of water peeking out of the horizon (the Strandbad Tegeler See) giving way to the urban jungle of Berlin.

As dusk settled and the sky, briefly a brilliant red of sunset, once again became gray, we dismounted Devil’s Hill. A bit of a confrontation with a territorial herd of wild boars aside (do NOT go chasing after these suckers for a photograph, apparently they are very dangerous in packs), the walk back to the train was peaceful and pleasant. We even had the opportunity to satisfy our appetite with some delicious schnitzel and pilsner at a restaurant at the bottom of the hill near to the Sbahn stop. An end to a great day, we were only left thinking: how could a treasure like Teufelsberg remain largely undiscovered when sitting in clear view on top of the city like a victorious trophy? Perhaps it is because most travelers don’t take the time to see the unlikely beauty in the things that have slipped through the cracks of Berlin’s makeover. This cold-war relic in its skeletal and shattered state stands as a reminder of the beauty that can come out of the struggle between victory and defeat and is a precise representation of a period of Berlin’s history many are eager to forget. Teufelsberg is here for all and I would recommend it to any traveler looking to get out of their comfort zone and see an unlikely visual stunner.

Photo of the NSA field station in Teufelsber, Berlin, Germany, by SnaPsi xyzzy

The last two decades have brought astonishing cultural changes to the city’s many boroughs; each neighborhood has its own identity and an constantly morphing demographic. Most interestingly, since a second wave of gentrification has gripped the city, changing its famed squats and cafes into high fashion boutiques and Mickiedees, a large portion of the artistic population has continued to migrate to areas of cheaper rents and greater solidarity. One such fantastic new neighborhood affected by these changes is the southern borough of Neukolln, just south of Kreuzberg. The area is Kreuzberg’s little cousin, boasting the same vibe and Turkish undercurrent; however, its gems are slightly more hidden and romantic in their precious newness. My time living in this area invited an almost weekly opening of new galleries and art spaces, cafes and bars. I found it a perfect playground for a romantic adventure with the one you love. Here are my top date spots in this budding new area, guaranteed to show your honey a good time.

Turkish Market

An early start to you evening might include a stroll through the Turkish market which happens every Tuesday and Friday along Maybachufer Strasse along the river just south of Kottbusser Tor. The market offers mostly fresh produce and sewing and artistic supplies, but it can be a grand opportunity for a quick bite to eat or a coffee and baklava to enjoy on the riverside. If shopping for picnic supplies, remember to compare prices between dealers, sometimes the prices in the middle can be much cheaper than those at the end. A large variety of cheeses and spreads, fresh fruits, nuts and preserves make this market one of the best places in the city to get high quality foods.

Maybachufer Strasse between Kottbusser Damm and Friedlestrasse

Picnic on the Spree

A branch of the Spree divides Kreuzberg and Neukolln (an area nicknamed Kreuzkolln by the locals) and lovely patches of grass and trees line the walls along the river. This is a perfect area to enjoy a picnic and the visual pleasures of this area. Walk west of Kottbusser Damm on the north side of the river and you’re come to a spot where many relax on a warm sunny day. A quick hop of a short fence will put you among the plethora of young people who are too lazy to work, and would much rather spend their days by the waterside writing poetry, drawing pictures, or simply taking in the view.

Nansen

A small restaurant with modest and casual furnishings offers spectacular food and wine. Though it boasts a mostly German regular clientele, the staff is very friendly and English speaking and happy to translate their menu and make suggestions. The menu, which is small and changes nightly, is somewhat traditional and offers massive portions of German delicacies. Paying a little more for the featured entree is well worth it, as you are likely to be treated to a delicious venison or leg of goose. One half houses a beautiful midcentury bar where you can enjoy a cigarette and espresso post meal or sample the generous list of whiskies and liquors.
Maybachufer 39

Moviemento

This small independently run cinema is one of the area’s historical landmarks having existed since the early 20th century. Moviemento plays a number of German and foreign films, usually shown in the original languages (as opposed to most cinemas which overdub in German). The cinema often partakes in film festivals, and can be rented for private events and viewings, which ensures that the playlist is fresh and diverse. Cheap and cozy, Moviemento is a perfect spot for a couple of hours alone in the dark.
Kottbusser Damm 22

Klaus Kinski Bar

This tiny clubhouse type bar on a side-street in Neukolln is a perfect place to grab a drink and discuss your love for one of Germany’s greatest actors. It’s members only, but obtaining a membership only entails paying a small fee and signing a mailing list. The membership card they give you serves as a great souvenir. This, like many of the lounges and bars that line the streets is affordable and chic, a stereotypical Berlin mishmash of mid-century furniture, antique wallpapering and pretty lighting. They host a number of events and screenings and some of Berlin’s best DJs. This bar offers good opportunity to hobnob with the locals, if you are to be so bold.
Friedelstrasse 28

Gallerie Total

This hidden side-street gallery is a hub for many of Berlin’s artists and those interested in emergent art. The space, run by an eccentric and friendly man, hosts weekly Friday night openings and often has live music events. The gallery is extremely open to submission and guest curation which consequences in a wide variety of different art, each drawing a different crowd of people. There is something for everyone at this gallery and it is always bustling on a Friday night. A small section of the space is a tiny vintage junk shop, where one can go in and purchase a variety of oddball artifacts or simply chat with the owner about upcoming events. The music featured here is largely acoustic or folk with an experimental edge: the owner seems to have a great appreciation for the neighborhood and its talents. The space is open Tuesday through Friday 12-8 or by appointment.
Lenaustrasse 5

“Showcase of Love” picture by moe in berlin

• Jess Bright has just discovered that Berlin boasts the largest Erotic Museum in the world.

• Canada.com posts an article on great things to do in the Bahamas including swimming with pigs!

• Andrea Sertoli recommends Aeolian Islands as the perfect holiday destination for any traveler loving “beach life Italian-style“.

• Frivole Travel shares some cool pictures of fantastic graffittis in Granada, Spain.

• Robin Locker needs your help to fin a caption for the funny photo of Rome she posted on her travel blog.

Photo of man swimming with pigs in the Bahamas by theonlyone

Heather on her Travels posts an article on how to make travel films including some tips  from two experts in adventure documentary making.

Solo Travel

On Solo Traveler, Janice blogs about the high number of people from Ireland searching for solo vacation infomation on Google and shares some twitter thoughts on  why the Irish rank as  number one.

Travel Book Giveaway

Matadorgoods.com reviews “Travel Therapy – Where do you Need to Go?” by Karen Shaler and launches a cool photo context.  By entering the competition you will have the chance to win a copy of this guidebook full of trips suggestions to relax and decompress.

Sexy Hotels

Hoosta Magazine presents “Hôtels Galants“, a guide book by Jonathan Siksou reviewing 45 romantic hotels from lovely country houses to charming Renaissance castles to trendy boutique hotels.  45 great places for a naughty holiday in France and other fantastic spots around the world.

Disney World Vacation

Planning a family trip to Disneyland, California, or Disney World, Florida? According to Traveling Mom there are 3 questions to consider before you book your stay in a Disney resort.

“Capturing the Moment” picture by Aplomb

It showcases great architecture both contemporary and classic. However, experiencing the eclectic mix of offerings often burns a hole in your wallet. Not every traveler can afford paying 10 euros and up for a couple hours in a museum, or blow their budget going to see the symphony or a football game. The glorious thing about Berlin is that there is fun, unique and varied activities for all budgets. Here are a few options on how to enjoy Berlin on the cheap – four activities for under 4 euros.

Language Exchange Party

Every Wednesday evening a group of people from all over the world gather together for a language exchange. Stop by to learn a little German, English or other language and make new friends while you’re at it. All you need to bring is your native tongue and a smile. I’ve overheard conversations in Spanish, French, German, English, Chinese and Italian just to name a few. Not only is the party filled with interesting people but it also boasts one of the best locations to have a drink in Berlin – aboard the Eastern Comfort Hostelboat. This hostel and lounge occupies a boat floating in the River Spree, docked alongside the East Side gallery in the shadow of the beautiful Oberbaum Bridge. It has stunning views of the night skyline as the sun sets behind Berlin’s iconic TV tower.

Cost: 1 euro – payable when you buy your first drink.

Time: 7 pm until late

Contact: Eastern Comfort Hostelboat GmbH

Mühlenstr. 73 – 77

D-10243 Berlin

Tel.: (030) 66 76 38 06

The Reichtag

This isn’t exactly an out of the way activity and you will have to brave the long lines of tourists to get in. However, this icon of the German Government and Reunification is worth the wait. The architecture is truly stunning – combining fantastic, high tech contemporary design with a historic landmark. The famous glass dome holds an array of light reflectors that catch sunlight and stream it down upon the counsel chambers. It is a modern marvel and an innovative approach to sustainable architecture. It symbolically addresses transparency of government as anyone can now look down upon government proceedings. A spiraling ramp leads you up the dome and offers great views down on the surrounding city. Walkways lead out onto the roof for more great views and a breath of fresh air. Walking around the surround area is also worth a dedicated afternoon. The River spree winds its way through this area and is banked by bike and walking paths.

Weekend Flea Markets

The urban plazas, and parks throughout Berlin fill up with stalls selling all sorts of goodies every weekend. Saturdays are usually reserved for farmers markets, offering fresh produce and other food items. Sunday brings out local residents and shops selling all sorts of antiques, used clothes, and various tchotchka. The biggest and most varied flea market is located in Prenzlauerberg on Bernauer Strasse near the corner of Wolliner Strasse. The small lanes are packed with locals looking for a bargain or items made by Berlin Designers. Stalls sell handmade jewelry, clothing and crafts. Others sell used lamps, records, miscellaneous electronic wires, used (perhaps stolen) bikes, and anything else you can imagine. Interspersed with these booths are some fantastic street food stalls offering fresh squeezed juices, coffee, delicious sausages and of course there are bars stocked with cold German beers. You can get in and experience the chaos and crowds of funky dressed people for free but you will have to bargain hard for any purchases.

The #200 Bus Tour

As long as you are disciplined enough to leave the markets without emptying your wallets, this activity is the most expensive on the list. Many of the most used bus routes in the city are services with double decker buses. The seats at the front of the top level offer fantastic views onto the bustling streets and of the surrounding buildings and monuments. Bus number 200 runs a fantastic route from the Zoologischeral garten station past many of the significant sites in Berlin. Wait until you are at the front of the line to get those prime seats and sit back and watch the city roll by. You will see the broken tower and bold addition to the Gedachnis-Kirche, you will pass nearby the Tiergarten and the stunning architecture of the embassies district, pass through Potsdamer Platz and roll through Mitte and Museum Isle. IT continues its course by Alexander Platz and up through Prenzlauerberg past the Volks Park (which is worth a stroll through). Get off at the corner of Conrad-Blenkl-Strasse, walk southeast one block and make a left at Paul-Heyse-Strasse. On your right you will see a large hill that houses the stunning Velodome and Swimming center built for Berlin’s Olympic bid. Designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, these half submerged buildings are draped with metal mesh that creates dramatic reflections of light.

A single ticket costs 2.40 Euros while a full day ticket that will allow you to hop on and off at your leisure will run a little over 6 Euros. The full day ticket will be good on all forms of public transportation.

These are only a few of the many options to enjoy time in Berlin without breaking the bank. There are hundreds of galleries dotting the streets, amazing cafes that spill out onto the sidewalks, and great parks that offer free recreation. In general Berlin is a very affordable city with an amazingly hip and creative population. There is a plethora of activities for all budgets and interests. These are a just a few of the cheapest options. For more stories about living in Berlin and traveling throughout the world visit www.byworldofmouth.com. For descriptions and reviews of interesting architecture in Berlin visit www.talkitect.com. Enjoy your trip!

Photo of Berlin Reichtag, Germany, by creaydestrye

1. What is the Most Beautiful Greek Island

Planning a summer holiday in Greece? Looking for the country’s sexiest beaches and most charming villages? Read this travel blog post and discover four of the most beautiful Greek islands: the postcard-like island of Santorini, the fascinating island of Ithaca, the idyllic Milos Island and the stunning Paxos Island.

2. Best Bars in Berlin

Traveling to Berlin and looking for great spots where to meet cool people and find the best German beer? Check out our Top 5 Berlin bars including the friendly Hops and Barley sport bar, the cozy Rosa Bar,  the trendy B Flat jazz music bar, the very nice Wuergeengel cocktail bar and the chic Bar Tausend.

3. Top 3 Seafood Restaurants in Rome

Planning a Rome vacation and want to know where to eat the best seafood in Rome? Check out these three Rome restaurants serving Spaghetti con le Vongole and more delicious Italian seafood specialties at a fair price: Da Franco ar Vicoletto (San Lorenzo), La Penna d’Oca (Piazza del Popolo) and La Rosetta (Pantheon).

4. Top 5 Architectural Landmarks in Antwerp, Belgium

Going to Antwerp, Belgium and wondering what to do and see in this charming city? Less popular with tourists than Bruges and Bruxelles, Antwerp has yet some of the most interesting architectural landmarks in Belgium, including the Gothic Cathedral of our Lady, Grote Markt town square,  The Stone castle, the Art Deco Boerentoren skyscraper and Vleeshuis Meat House.

5. Top 7 Things to Do in Eindhoven

Traveling through the Netherlands and planning a visit to Eindhoven? Check out our list of the best things to do and places to see in Eindhoven: The Evolution, Van Abbemuseum, PSV Eindhoven football stadium, Philips first Incandescent Lamp Factory, Eindhoven Art Centre,  Kempenland Museum and the Historic Open-Air Museum.

Photo of windmills in Oia,  Santorini, Greece by Wolfgang Staudt

I stayed in a hostel by Gorlitzer Bahnhof in spring of 2004, had 200 euros stolen from me and was advised not to walk the streets alone after dark. Upon my arrival back to the area this year I was astounded by the incredible changes all around me. I unknowingly happened upon my old hostel and found the neighborhood unrecognizable. The streets that only a few years before had boasted just a few couple punk shops and bars were now lined with independent music and clothing stores, chic eateries and perhaps most notably a huge variety of pubs and lounges. This area is great if you happen to be out with a mixed group of people. Gay or straight, rich or poor, the bars lining Oranienstraße and the surrounding area have a queer-friendly vibe and independent edge, but are surprisingly open to all. Pick any night of the week and check out my walking (or stumbling) tour of the best bars in East Kreuzberg.

Möbel Olfe

This popular pub is essentially a traditional German tavern that a bunch of art kids and party animals have rampantly converted into a lavishly decorated space for hanging out with good friends. The music is generally a simple and enjoyable mix of old favorites and new indie pop. The mantra posted above the bar “no tip, no drink” should be followed as this pub is often so packed it can be tough to get service and the cheap drink prices generally allow for generous gratuities. Thursday is a popular gay night so expect the women’s bathroom line to be short or non-existent. This night is generally pretty booze soaked, so look forward to at least one conversation with a complete stranger and perhaps an unwarranted groping or two: the free-for-all nature of this homey pub means anything goes.
Reichenberger Straße 177

Roses

This true gem sits right in the heart of Oranienstraße and is a classic gay hangout. There is no denying the distinctiveness of Roses as it’s apparent the second you step into the bar. The fuzzy neon pink fun-fur walls, disco balls, fake flowers, lights and mirrors galore make this tiny bar a must-see. You’ll likely be surrounded by a few middle aged regulars cruising but this bar draws everyone from New York artists and art dealer’s children, to drunken English lesbians dying to get laid. The true gem of Roses, however, is Rose herself. The loving owner and proprietor, often the place’s only bartender, plays the role of den mother. Beware: this woman is horribly sarcastic and will mess with you. She will also melt your cold heart with her kindness before serving you the biggest tumblers of whiskey you have ever set eyes on.
Oranienstraße 187

Paloma Bar

This hard to find lounge sits right above the Kaiser’s at Kottbusser Tor. Take the stairs and step through a nondescript velvet curtain to this tiny drinking palace overlooking the U1. The atmosphere boasts the typical “Berlin living room” aesthetic with cute wallpapering, chandeliers and kitschy nautical framed artwork. A number of well-known Berlin DJs are residents here (you could call this their “day job”) and you must pay one Euro to the DJ at the bar with your first round. This is money well spent, the DJ is usually spinning vintage Vinyl and the music is top notch. They serve a variety of standard cocktails and beers, but nobody comes here for the drinks: the pleasure of Paloma bar comes from sitting next to the wall of windows overlooking one of Berlin’s major hubs pulsating with energy and magic.
Skalitzer Straße 135

Monarch

If Paloma Bar is too crowded and you can’t find a seat, go next door to Monarch, a bar that is a funny mix of half tavern, half disco. The one Euro cover charge applies here as well, but Monarch is a touch less refined than Paloma Bar. Think drinking buddies verses a quiet evening out with your significant other. That said, if you’re looking for a good place to get smashed for cheap and not be bored, Monarch is it. There is foosball and a dance floor, but the true entertainment might be watching a bunch of intoxicated straight guys hit on anything that moves. Don’t get me wrong, in a city where more often than not you inevitably wind up at a gay bar, it’s nice to attend a different kind of sausage party once and a while. Ladies will enjoy not paying for their drinks and their gay friends can enjoy a couple hours of being left alone to mingle with their friends.
Skalitzer Strasse 134

Barbie Deinhoff’s

End your night at Barbie’s. A little down the street close to Schlesische Tor, this bar run by celebrity drag queen Lena Braun appeals to the ultra-fabulous and normale folk alike. This bar has nightly events of all varieties, ranging from 80s New Wave and No Wave parties to 70s glam trash and 90s pop. On Mondays, get a cheap haircut from Persona Non Grata, aka Daido, a sweet man from Belgium making a big name for himself in Berlin. This place loves glamour and when attending its wild drag parties it is up to you to participate or watch; both options will bring copious entertainment and liberation.
Schlesische Strasse 16

Good Luck Surviving!

Photo of beer and camera in Kreuzber, Berlin, Germany by LeRamz

It seems like Berlin’s independent movie theaters‘ collection reflects the way the city is: densely and multiculturally populated metropolis, where rich kids live on the same street as spiked hair punks and Turkish kebabs neighbor old GDR buildings.

So, here are five interesting movie theaters in Berlin, no typical mainstream multiplexes:

1. Filmtheater am Friedrichshain

This cozy movie theater should be very tempting to those people who love Friedrichshain: the place so diverse that is has everything. You do not even have to leave it to go to see a movie. Filmtheater am Friedrichshain (that is tenderly called FaF by Berliners) is a child of Berlin independent movie theater group Yorck. This group is comprised of fifteen movie theaters that united in order to repulse decisively large multiplex movies. Yorck movie theaters such as FaF have found their audience among those people who love interesting independent movies, old classic masterpieces, and movies in the original language. FaF is one of the most beautiful and unusual movie theaters in the city, it looks like a real movie temple. There are five screens with 911 seats in total. The number of the seats is kept so small on purpose, so you can seat in large upholstered seats and have enough place between the rows to stretch your cramped legs. Starting from May a nice beer garden right behind FaF is open and welcomes moviegoers to debate the movie and try some local food such as grills, Schmalzstullen (kind of toasts) and Gewürzgurken (pickled cucumbers) .

Address: Bötzow Strasse, 1-5

Tickets: Mon/Thur 5,50 €, Tue/Wed 6,50 €, Fr/Sun 7,50 €; 0,5-1 € discount for students

2. Babylon

This is also one of the small independent Yorck movie theaters that screens movies some of the best Berlin’s movie programs, movies by cinematographic schools, old German silent movies, and foreign films in the original language. The main emphasis is done on displaying non-mainstream movies, art house pieces and retrospectives. Besides, they very often invite movie makers from different countries to display their movies and then have a nice evening discussing nowadays trends in movies, life challenges, and other interesting things. There are two screens in Babylon and lectures, reading and workshops at this movie theater never stop.

Address: Rosa Luxemburg Strasse, 30

Tickets: Mon 5,50 €, Tue/Wed 6,50 €, Thur/Sun 7,50 €

3. Kino International

This is a very nice movie theater with GDR charm, it has seen it all: Great Berlin Wall era, socialist propaganda, and managed to survive till nowadays. Now Kino International is under World Heritage protection that proves the value of the building’s architecture and interiors design. Entering Kino International, you walk through the huge magnificent foyer with crystal chandeliers and arm chairs upholstered in red velvet, follow twin staircases covered with grey carpets and finally enter the big screen room. Located in the eastern Berlin, Kino International has become an inalienable part of Karl Marx Allee. Kino International displays Hollywood flicks and flamboyant Bollywood movies. Every month one of Mondays is a special day – Mongay, when movie programs for gay audience are screened. Moreover, it is not just a movie theater, but also a party place: every first Saturday there is a great party in Kino International.

Address: Karl Marx Allee, 33

Tickets: Mon 5,50 €, Tue/Wed 6,50 €, Thur/Sun 8 €, Mongay 6,50 €; 0,5-1 € discount for students

4. Lichtblick Kino

Now from small independent movie theaters to a totally tiny one. Lichtblick Kino is a great change from huge 5-6 screen movies: it is the smallest movie theater in Berlin. Its teensy screening room has just several rows of red velvet seats ensuring intimate and almost fairytale ambience. Here enthusiasts and devotees of movies and filmmaking can satisfy their craving for retrospectives of such trendsetting directors who have changed the movies medium as Fellini and Godrad. Besides, Lichtblick Kino screens classics of Italian Neorealism, French New Wave, and New Hollywood Movement, so everybody can find something here according to his or her preferences. Luckily, most of the movies are displayed in their original language. You can also see some works of modern German directors here. Buying a ticket at midnight on Saturday, you can find yourself in Casablanca, where Rick and Ilsa find and lose each other once again. This Sunday midnight tradition never changes.

Address: Kastanien Allee, 77

Tickets: Mon/Fr 3.90 €, Sat/Sun 4.50 €

5. Brotfabrik

Finally, the last of our selection of movie theaters is Brotfabrik or Bread Factory. This movies also has something to offer to demanding cineastes: a mix of German and international movies. Besides, Brotfabrik is a mix by itself: it accommodates a cinema, an art gallery, a bar and a theater. So, there is always something happening here like a play by Fyodr Dostoyevsky or performance art lecture. In Brotfabrik movie theater they screen movies in the original language most of times. Small bar in Broffabrik is also worth visiting.

Address: Caligariplatz, 1/ Prenzlauer Promenade, 3

Tickets: prices range from 3 to 6 €

Photo of movie theater, Berlin, Germany by Maharepa 

However, it turned out to be not that easy to find my favorite bar in Berlin, despite the fact that there are hundreds of these establishments in my dearest German metropolis. So, I have decided to visit the most popular ones that were recommended by Berliners and update the information on the most popular and worthy to visit bars in Berlin for the travelers not to get lost and have fun.

1. Hops and Barley

That is not a secret that Germans are beer-lovers! So if you visit this country and really want to get to know its people and their culture, you should try the best German beer. Hops and Barley is a perfect place to start. This is a brewery located in Friedrichshain (fancy central district in Berlin) that is famous for its lager and porter, Friedrichshain Pilsner, Friedrichshain Weizen, flavorful apple cider, and many other appetizing drinks served by very courteous and friendly waiters and bartenders. This is also a great place for sports fans that love to combine their two passions: beer and football. Where to watch Bundesliga matches? You won’t find a better place in Berlin for watching football with such good beer at prices that low. My tip is to try Schlangenbiss there: half beer, half cider plus red currant – totally lip-smacking!

Address: Wühlisch Strasse 22, Friedrichshain, 10245 Berlin

2. Rosa Bar

This is a very nice bar known for its Retro-Futurism design of the 60s. To find this kind of hidden place, you should pass by St. Emma Church and ring the small bell at the door to the basement in the building #2 at Spreewald Platz. There you will find large beige beanbags, orange lighting and vintage looking carpets. Rosa Bar is a perfect stylish place to cuddle in small cozy booths separated from the real world by fringe curtains. Cocktails are fantastic there and the variety of drinks is really huge. If you are searching for a nice place to have a date in Berlin, look no further: Rosa Bar is perfectly romantic.

Address: Spreewald Platz 2, Kreuzberg, 10999 Berlin

3. B Flat

You will definitely love this place if you are into jazz music. Jazz melodies from all corners of the world, very often live. Some Berliners say that in B Flat they play “real” jazz and not the one that is typical for dark smoky basement bars. Besides, you can burn some music played in the bar on your USB stick gratis. Drinks are good there and moderately priced. Bump into B Flat and take a nice place with the view on the street. Then you can listen to great music and check out what is going on on the stage while outside night buses make their way down the street and chilling strangers take a look in the huge window. That is some real urban experience, cozy and modern, authentically Berlin. The entrance fee of around 10 € is really worth it!

Address: Rosenthaler Strasse 13, 10119 Berlin

4. Wuergeengel

If you are in Kreuzberg and love solid drinks and classic cocktail bar atmosphere lacking the craze for hipness and fuss, you should not miss coming by in Wuergeengel. This is a very nice cocktail bar that is usually very busy and you can tell right away that most of the customers are regulars. It is rather difficult to find a place there if you come with many friends, so better choose Wuergeengel if you are in a small party of 2 or 3 people. The bartenders there definitely know how to mix a great drink, especially if you like all those old fashioned cocktails and if you are ready to overpay a bit. If you happened to be hungry while in this bar, you can order some Italian food they serve from the restaurant next doors.

Address: Dresdener Strasse 122, 10999 Berlin

5. Bar Tausend

This is a great chic bar you will definitely want to come back if you bump into it for some brilliantly funky concert or a costume party! This is the great place to hang around and have fun. The public in this place is totally a mixture of hipsters, white collars and different creative personalities. Bar Tausend has a very nice and relaxing ambience when there is no party going on, waiters and bartenders are very nice and polite. Even though their door policy is a bit too tough, it is always worth it to wait in the queue to get inside and have a nice Mojito. Prices in Bar Tausend are very down-to-earth for an establishment of this level. Besides, this is one of a few places in Berlin where you do not have to pay for the wardrobe – such a small but pleasant gesture. Definitely my favorite!

Address: Schiffbauer Damm 11, under the railway bridge, 10115 Berlin

Photo of Rose Bar, Berlin by Concentrated Passion

It’s Currywurst! It’s that wonderful dish, that fills you up, drenched in curry ketchup and good for bringing you back up, why it’s Currywurst! Forgive the Grönemeyer inspired nonsense…

So you’re in Berlin and you know that there was a wall or something that made this city into two cities, belonging to two nations; and that some people on one side of the wall had little and others were supported by the rest of the German Federal Republic tax revenue. But, did you know that this had serious consequences for the Berliner Currywurst? Did it ever occur to you that there is no such thing as THE Berliner Currywurst, but in fact, two? Well prepare to have your mind blown! In David Bowie’s glammed-out West Berlin, Currywurst was traditionally fried with the still skin on (good for that extra crispiness, thank you tax Marks), while in dignified, socialist, worker’s East Berlin, Currywurst was traditionally boiled without the skin (one wonders what they did with the skins…). Nevertheless, both sides of the “anti-fascist protection wall’ enjoyed and still enjoy their Currywurst with a heaping helping of Pommes (French fries) or, for the more conservative, bread rolls.

The following should help you find the best of the best of this, ahem, local, dish.

Westside

•  Curry 36

Mehringdamm 36, 10961 Berlin (Kreuzberg)

Curry 36 Is the ultimate Currywurstbude and is always busy, no matter what time of day you show up. But not to worry, there’s never more than a short wait for this delicious, fresh made treat. Personally, I think their fries are the best amongst the lot…

• Currywurst Berlin & Friends

Bundesallee 200, 10717 Berlin (Wilmersdorf)

If you’re looking for an Imbiss with a bit of history, this is the place to go. Everyone from Wim Wenders, Bruno Ganz and Mr. Schmidt have all eaten here.

• Fritz & Co.

Bayreutherstrasse (Schöneberg)

Is another fine Bude, but this time with all organic ingredients. Currywurst for the ecologically conscience.

Eastside

• Konnopke’s

Schönhauseralle 44a (under the U-Bahn stop Eberswaldestrasse in Prenzlauerberg)

In my mind, this is the only place to eat Currywurst in the East, if not the whole city. Opening in 1930, Konnopke’s is the oldest Currywurst joint in the city, and has a great old time-y charm, underneath the train tracks in ultra hip Prenzlauerberg. Frau Ziervogel, the heir to the Konnopke’s empire, still works every day, despite being well advanced in age. Enjoy the “Menü, weiss und rot” (one currywurst, a helping of fries topped with mayo and ketchup) and wash it down with a Berliner beer. Fantastic!

Somewhere in the middle

Fittingly, the train station Kiosk at Friedrichstrasse, a former checkpoint between the two cities, offers both versions, and has all the fixings you could need. Their ketchup sauce is also particularly lovely.

Wrap your scarf tight, pull on some warm, water proof shoes, grab a map and take a walk into Mitte. You can get there from any direction as Berlin is shaped like a spiders web and Mitte is in the middle. Head toward ?am Lustgarten? (garden of lust), on the map you can find it sitting between the streets BodeStr. and Karl Liebknecht Str.

At ?Am Lustgarten? one will find a beautiful museum island containing some of Berlin’s most magnificent buildings. I find the most stunning in this area to be ?The Berlin Cathedral? (Berliner Dome) which seems to be a magnet for all the cities grey suited ravens and peppery black birds. At around sunset you can watch as thousands of these birds swim and dance a uniform swarm through the sky then in between the Cathedral spires and pre historic looking construction cranes. As darkness settles they will be hidden amongst the Linden trees in the Cathedral yard making a crazy racket. You will find many spectators standing on the BodeStr. bridge watching, perhaps  even video taping this spectacle and you may even be serenaded by someone with an accordion or some jazz guitar. If you like the song, maybe throw a coin in the hat.

Caddy-corner to the Berliner Dome is the ?Alte Museum? (Old Museum) who?s impressive steps and pillars will be crawling with an international cuisine of tourists manically coming and going. Here is where I recommend not giving any money to young people who may ask ?very convincingly? for some change. Inside this historic building lives the Egyptian Museum and the Pergamon (Ancient Greece) Museum…which you can go see for free on Thursdays between 6pm and 10pm.

I have become kind of an addict of the Berlin Egyptian Museum and can testify it is quite a breathtaking experience to look into the singe eye of Nefertiti for the first time or stroll along the scrolls and hieroglyphs of the Egyptian Netherworld. You will witness busts, sculptures, mummies, tools, masks, toys, jewelry, and even parts of a palace floor preserved in this amazing collection. Unfortunately this part of the museum will be closing February 22, 2009, so catch it while you can. Also mixing in with the Egyptian artifacts is the work of sculpture Alberto Giacometti, a Swiss artist (1901-1966) who became obsessed with the Egyptian Arts figurative form and head sculptures. His work certainly shows a unique view on reality, much like the ancient Egyptian culture.

The friends I have taken to visit the museum say they feel creatively enriched and inspired after spending an evening surrounded by such remnants of the beginning of a civilization. I can?t say much about the Pergamon just yet though, because it has taken me three visits just to digest the Egyptian galleries, but I?ll be sure to get there before February 22.

In the building are free bathrooms and coat checks which is quite helpful since it is sometimes difficult to find a place to relieve yourself while exploring a new city. There is also a cafe and a ?better than average? gift shop. Watch out not to bring your bags or loose clothing into the galleries, use your cell phones or the flash on your camera because the guards will ask you to leave.

After visiting a Museum I am usually fairly exhausted, not sure if it is the air and temperature they use to keep the artifacts from decomposing or the amount of brain power I spend reading the history of the pieces. Either way, it is tiring and can make a person hungry and thirsty, luckily just around the corner is ?Hackescher Markt? where you can relax with some wholesome German food and if you like, a Grosse glass of refreshing German beer.

If your still in the mood for some action walk a little further towards Rosenthaler Str. and you will find a great Kino and several interesting shops and cafe?s. Perhaps a watch a film to end the evening, but it might be a good idea toask first if there are any English subtitles. For more information about the Egyptian Museum visit www.egyptian-museum-berlin.com For information about Berlin Public Transportation visit BVG.de (take U-Bahn 6 for Am Lustgarten and you can also ask a Taxi about the 3 Euro Ride)

Photo of Nefertiti bust, Egyptian Museum, Berlin by okkofi

Where do you go? Well, for starters, DON’T go to Mexikoplatz (Mexico Square) in the West; for all your fantasies of mariachi bands and waterfalls of salsa, all you’re bound to find are wet rags they pass as tortillas, drenched in ketchup. If you’re looking for real Mexican food (like refried beans loaded with lard, topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream, and, naturally, a helping portion of guacamole), then this list should help you.

• Dolores

Dolores is a lovely California style burrito eatery (read for: healthy burritos with black beans sans lard) that feels like it could only belong in Berlin (the color scheme and emphasis on design says it all), though, don’t be fooled, the owners are more than familiar with San Francisco; hence the name, a street in San Francisco’s famed Mission District. But again, you’re in Berlin, and this will be clear to you as soon as you take a look at the magazine rack filled with design, art and fashion magazines waiting for you while you wait for the tasty treats to come. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Dolores has recently updated its menu, adding to the regular fare dishes like a tofu mole, salsas like smoky peanut and the plainly mysterious sounding salsa roja -but don’t worry, all the standards are here as well, including the winning combo of black beans and lime rice. I’m a fan of the quesedillas, the adobo beef and carnitas burritos, all with a large helping of guacamole and washing it down with a lemonade.

Rosa-Luxemburg-Str. 7

10178 Berlin (Mitte)

www.dolores-online.de

• Viva Mexico

Located on the past border between East and West Berlin, Viva Mexico is a very respectable eatery where, sadly, almost no one goes. Of course, this noticeable lack of patronage is most likely caused by it’s strange location far from any possible foot traffic, but when I eat there, I tend to think it’s because it’s located directly on the border of a border town that’s been raided so many times by la migra that no one is willing to risk their neck there. In any case, Viva Mexico has very good enchiladas, stand-up burritos and surprisingly, the hot sauce is hot, really, really hot. The place is authentic enough to make this Californian native homesick. Go on Tuesday, and score yourself a 3,50 Euro cocktail.

Chausseestr. 36

10115 Berlin (Mitte)

• Aztec

Boldly naming your restaurant Aztec and evoking a rich tradition, you better make sure the food is good, and surprisingly it is -even if the decor reminds me of Mexican restaurants in old folks communities in Arizona and New Mexico… In any case, the food is good, really good, even if it can be a bit expensive. Try a taco plate or the fajitas. Treat yourself.

Bayerischer Platz 4, 10

10779 Berlin (Schöneberg)

http://www.aztek-berlin.de/

Photo of Dolores burritos restaurant, Berlin by Moe_

Everett Potter reviews seven of the most romantic hotels he has ever stayed. Amongst his favorite hotels around the word is the splendid 5-star Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi, Italy, available on venere.com.

U.S. Most Romantic Spots

Forbes.com lists America’s most romantic places to visit on Valentine’s Day including the Niagara Falls, the Big Sur area in California, Sunset Bay Cruise in San Francisco, and more wonderful natural sites across the United States.

New Design Hostels

Gridskipper reviews six new boutique hostels. Amongst these cool budget hotels are the high-rated Mama Shelter Paris designed by famous French designer Phillip Stark and  the trendy Stay Hotel Los Angeles which features an in-house art gallery.

Istanbul Hotels

The Context Travel Blog gives Istanbul hotel tips and reviews a series of beautiful 4-star hotels including  The Celal Sultan Hotel, the Hotel Erguvan, and the Pierre Loti Hotel, as well as the trendy Istanbul boutique hotel Lush.

Visit Berlin on a Budget

Planning a trip to Berlin, Germany, and looking for money-saving tips? Brilliant Tips Blog tells you how to get around the German capital on €40 a day and  Europe a la Carte Blog recommends a free visit to the German Parliament.

Art is always something that brings inspiration and stimulates imagination. Observing beauty makes it easier to express our own feelings. Of course, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. That is why there are so many art galleries in Berlin that it is difficult to choose which one to visit. However, here is an attempt to make it easier for you: five surely worth visiting art galleries located in the German capital. The artists invest their energy in beauty and hasten the heartbeat of the city.

1. Temporare Kunsthalle

Temporare Kunsthalle (that can be translated as Temporary Art Gallery) is a fantastic art space which was opened to expose contemporary works of art that are coming out of this unique and aspiring metropolis. Maybe there is not so much space inside the Kunsthalle, however you can enjoy the projects and exhibitions outside. Temporare Kunsthalle presents a broad spectrum of pictures, photographs and art installations. Works by such artists as Candice Breitz, Simon Starling and Jennifer Allora displayed at Temporare Kunsthalle reflect the modern aesthetic of German art. Their romantic, sensual, and ultra modern pieces of fine arts deal with different moments of life. They show a vision of a liberated world. I think that it is worth attending this marvelous gallery alone.

Address: Schlossfreriheit, 1 – Schlossplatz

Opening hours: daily 11 am till 6 pm, Mon 11 am till 10 pm

2. Strychnin Gallery

If you are art lover, you have most probably heard the name of these gallery, as two other Strychnin galleries are located in New York and London. Opened in 2002, this gallery had a trend setting effect on Berlin. Strychin art gallery focuses on bringing out new young artists with striking individuality expressed in their works of art that make the observers delve into the surreal world. You should definitely go to this gallery if you want to take a look at an eclectic mix of painting, photography, sculpture and installations and try to guess if this or that artist will be world known and successful. Most of the exhibitions hosted by Strychnin Gallery look quite intriguing. However, while they want their artists’ works to be behind any labels, I get a bit of feeling there that Strychnin gallery is driven by curiosity and passion to surrealism and symbolism, with all those paintings, sculptures, works on paper and wood. So, if you are fond of these movements, do not miss the gallery.

Address: Boxhagenerstrasse, 36

Opening hours: Thu-Fri 1 pm till 6 pm, Sat 1 pm till 7 pm, Sun 1 pm till 6 pm

3. Pigasus Gallery

This gallery is definitely worth dropping by, if you are keen on the world of poster design, would find this gallery fascinating. Pigasus Gallery exposes the poster vision of designers who were creating their images behind the Iron Curtain. Polish posters created by such artists as Jakub Erol and Wiktor Gorka reflect the strange reality, moods and emotions of those times where they get inspiration from. As to my mind, what really makes those illustrations special is their fantastic range of colors and printing technique that the artists use to bring their ideas and creations on paper. In the back of the Pigasus Gallery you will find access to another show room where you can listen to some Polish, Ukrainian, or Russian music and buy yourself a CD. Besides, Pigasus Gallery sells some of the posters, so you can choose a nice poster advertising a local circus and brighten up your interiors.

Address: Torstrasse, 62

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 2 pm till 7 pm

4. Galerie fur Modefotographie

This gallery exhibits fashion photography works. If you are really into fashion and do not consider fashion photos simple ads, do not miss visiting this gallery. Galerie fur Modefotographie displays works of talented and famous fashion photographers who are into looks and want to make the world better showing off the allure of apparel design on beautiful fashion models. These photographs picture the world that does not exist: a fantasy that sometimes has no rules.

Address: Schroderstrasse, 13

Opening hours: Thu-Sat 12 pm till 6 pm

5. The Intoxicated Demons Gallery

This gallery is located in Kreuzberg – one of the fanciest and trendiest Berlin districts where crazy parties take place. This gallery focus on putting on display works of contemporary urban art. The Intoxicated Demons Gallery is a place to drop by if you want to uncover the style of Berlin urban living. You might also be lucky to get on one of those live painting shows that the gallery hosts. That is a great opportunity to witness some of the world’s most famous urban artists works being surrounded by music and stylish strangers. The Intoxicated Demons Gallery is a nice place to hang around, drink a cup of coffee and exchange your ideas with new interesting people. The gallery displays works of such artists as Erone, Biser, Heiko Muller, Josh Taylor, Nicholas di Genova, Yusk Imai, Chris Logan, and so many more.

Address: Naunynstrasse, 46 D

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 2 pm till 8 pm

And do not forget that art galleries are free to public! Art gallery hopping can be a great alternative to pricey museum going. Besides, keep in mind that Berlin has an extensive and active art scene. Here is a tip: while visiting galleries, look for flyers advertising forthcoming occasions and you might get to some really hot event. So, welcome to a voyage of visual discovery!

Photo of art exhibition in Berlin, Germany, by saschapohflepp

1. Casolare

Casolare and its other restaurants Pizzeria I Due Forni and Il Ritrovo-Cucina Casalinga are real Italian eateries with amazing pizzas made by anarchist Italians with real Berliner attitude. My friends and I often joke that we frequent Casolare or Pizzeria I Due Forni so that we can complain about the service as much as enjoy the best pizza in town. The table red wine goes well with just about any pizza you might try (though I recommend the rucola pizza, the smoked horse meet pizza or the prosciutto e funghi, all with a not too generous helping of the spicy oil you can ask your waiter for), and the specials of the day also come highly recommended. Casolare and its sisters are run as a co-op, where each tattooed and pierced Italian that doesn’t speak German earns as much as any other tattooed and pierced Italian that doesn’t speak German. It’s well worth the experience and, may I suggest, you bring a thick black pen to write your name on the wall as you sip on some grappa (or indulge in some Tiramisu and espresso). Too punk for you? Then marvel at all the tags from bands that you thought died a painful punk pop death sometime in the early nineties. That’s right, even Pennywise has been here.

Casolare Trattoria: Grimmstr. 30 (Kreuzberg)

Pizzeria I Due Forni: Schoenhauser Allee 12 (Prenzlauerberg)

Il Ritrovo-Cucina Casalinga: Gabriel-Max-Strasse 2, Wühlischstrasse 29 (Friedrichshain)

2. La Focacceria

Just around the corner from Kastanienallee, on Fehrbellinerstrasse, there’s my favorite little hole in the wall focaccia stand. They offer a number of focaccias with great toppings (I’m particularly fond of the eggplant focaccia and their zucchini focaccia) at amazingly decent prices considering the location. For some, however, focaccia might be too much bread, so I suggest you try their absolutely wonderful lasagna; it’s creamy, cheesy and savory –everything a good lasagna should be. The dishes is wonderful, the salads are excellent but the wine is, sadly, lacking. Fear not, for just around the corner there are two famous Berliner institutions: the Weinereien.

Fehrbelliner Straße 24 (Mitte / Prenzlauerberg)

The Weinerei, a concept we’ll explain in another episode, is located at Veteranenstrasse 14

3. Ron Telesky

Canadian Pizza? What, pray tell, is that? Is there the ubiquitous Canadian gravy oozing out? Are there pizzas named hoser? There might as well be. Nevertheless, these original creations are as tasty as they are fun novelties items. Try the Cronenberg Crash (cilantro pesto, mozzarella, tandoori tofu, cheddar, tomatoes, red peppers, mango) if you’re feeling brave -it’s actually really good- or if you prefer, stick to some of the regulars, you’ll find there as well. Still hungry? Try one of their dessert pizzas. Seriously.

Dieffenbachstrasse 62 (Kreuzberg)

http://www.myspace.com/rontelesky

4. Dolce Pizza

Dolce Pizza serves up the best slices -on foccaccia- in this part of town. I’m particularly keen on the slices with olives, but, as with any place that’s this busy, sometimes it’s hard to know if your favorites are going to be there when you arrive. Regardless, the pizza pies are delicious here and no matter what you try, you’re bound to leave satisfied.

Maassenstrasse 6 (Schöneberg)

5. Pappa e Ciccia

To tell you the truth, I’m breaking my own rules to this guide on this one. While the rest of the list provided will get you filled up and ready to go in just a couple of minutes, Pappa e Ciccia (‘food and fat,’ a phrase I’m told is not exactly polite in Italian), will allow you to ease into a fine, more upscale meal with fresh handmade pastas, delicious salads and premium Italian wines. I particularly like the big, family style tables and the flowers, all creating a rather chic yet homey feel. Warning, it’s becoming more popular on the weekends, so if you have your heart set on this all around lovely dining experience, then make a reservation (something almost unheard of in most of Berlin).

Schwedterstrasse 18 (Prenzlauerberg / Mitte)

Happy eating!

How about spending a night in one of a kind river Sauna and Swimming Pool Spa in Berlin? Have never heard about it? Here we are to tell you about this fantastic place. Its name is Badeschiff or in English “swimming ship“.

Old barge in the urban setting

In 2004 the Berliners lucked into another fabulous place to chill out. Susanne Lorenz, a local artist, has introduced an old barge that has been metamorphosed into a fancy floating swimming pool. And since then Badeschiff became one of the most remarkable places in this electric Zeitgeist (”the spirit of the times”) Metropolis together with famous Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and Potsdamer Platz. It is beached on the shoreline of the River Spree that was previously neglected (if not take into account famed beach bars that are popular and crowded only in warm seasons, though). But right after Badeschiff was opened, water-loving inhabitants of Berlin crowd into this place and there is no way to stop them. In warm seasons this Spree swimming pool is an open air facility, while in the winter the curving pellucid shelter provides the possibility to relax in sauna and get a view on the city no matter what the weather patterns are.

Winter oasis

Here you can take pleasure in Finnish-style steam baths and a refreshing dip into a swimming pool with perfect 24°. The view of the Berlin skyline will contribute to the atmosphere. Besides, there is always a DJ on board to cheer you up and get you to the dance floor under the Berlin night sky. Yes, don’t you think that Badeschiff is only a swimming pool! This is a recreational complex that combines features of such places as saunas, bars and night clubs. That is why sometimes it is getting too crowded in there but it does not mean that you have to miss this opportunity when you are visiting Berlin.

Back to earth – Opening Hours and Prices

Entry price in this winter oasis is 15 Euros (though last winter they sometimes had late-night weekend specials) for three hours on weekends and 12 Euros on weekdays. On weekdays Badeschiff is open from 8 am to midnight. If you are going there on Friday and Saturday when the spa is open until 3am, it is strongly recommended to go first for some drinks at a nearby bar, perhaps on Warschauer Strasse, and then make your way to Badeschiff at midnight. You will thus get the most unforgettable experience and delight in winter.

Address: Eichenstrasse 4, Eastern Kreuzberg, Berlin

Photo of Badeschiff, Berlin, originally posted by pedalofilo