Read about the city before you visit
by johannt
There is so much history in Berlin that you are transformed from the 21st Century to the time of the Cold War, Adolf Hilter and before!
Look out for the narrow cobblestones shown in the photo below of the 'Berliner Mauer'. This marks the path of the Berlin Wall. I ran the 10Km stretch of the 25Km Run Berlin on Sunday, May 6, 2007.
Reichstag
by bugulma
The place that was very popular in the Soviet schoolbooks. There is a story that 2 Russian soldiers raised the Soviet flag in May 8, 1945 and it was the end of the WWII. Many years later, after USSR collapsed, the information appeared that it was just a nice story and some photos of that event were made some later in May of 1945. In any way, the system was good and when I saw Reichstag, my mind told me that it is the symbol of the victory in WWII. The system still works :-).
Reichstag was built in 1884-1894 by Paul Wallot. In February 28, 1933 after burning in Reichstag, the social-nationalists, with their leader Adolf Hitler, came to power. During WWII the building was completely destroyed during street fights in the city. It was rebuilt and was opened in 1970. In 1999 the "new" Reichstag was open with wonderful glass cupola. Entrance is free but with thorough security.
Silver guy :-)
by matcrazy1
I took this picture of "a silver guy" next to Brandurburg Gate. Hmm... I am not a paparazzi so I didn't take a picture of his silver face.
I think he was a mime and earned money for... doing nothing that is standing without any move. Rather boring job :-).
Mimes are easy to meet especially in Mont-Martre district of Paris and in many other touristy places in Europe. I used to meet "white lady" in market square of Krakow, Poland
Berlin's Zehlendorf & its lakes
by Maria250
Zehlendorf is a district in the south west of Berlin. Zehlendorf is the wealthiest part of Berlin and has a lot of lakes and forest, but also lots of culture and the biggest university in Berlin. Most famous is the Wannsee with its Strandbad, where on hot summer weekends all families head to, but there are also other lakes, where bathing is allowed and even free. Zehlendorf is more interesting for tourists because of its many museums, beautiful nature and some old castles. wikipedia
Berlin's Best Biergarten
by Ottofive about Prater Garten Biergarten und Gaststätte
Big, well-run and popular Biergarten on Kastanienallee in Berlin's lively Prenzlauer Berg. Open from early April to late September (weather permitting), the Biergarten is about 50 meters off the street, so you hear no traffic and see no cars. Instead, sit under tall chestnuts and feel the crunch of small pebbles under foot as you drink good German beer and eat Bratwurst.
Self-service. In the evenings, when the Biergarten is full, it may take 5 or 10 minutes standing in line to get a beer or a Bratwurst.
There is also a large full-service Restaurant on the grounds, which serves typical German fare. Excellent Wienerschnitzel and generous salads. No restrictions.