Contemporary architecture
by croisbeauty
Well, have to admit it, contemporary architecture is out of my interests when I am exploring the places. I don't like, in particularly, skycrapers and those glass buildings where most of the banks or insurance companies have their seats. In most of the places, I've visited so far, all these buildings look alike. In Berlin, however, it is not the case. TO BE CONTINUED
The people I spoke to were all...
by Shar
The people I spoke to were all very raw about the wall and their history. Many said they were even ashamed of what their ancestors did. The world will never forget and so they can never be free of it. It was sad in a way. Hint: Don't bring their history up with people until you know them. Some get defensive and some cry. Not something you want to deal with when you're talking with a stranger.
Embassies of the Nordic countries
by diocletianvs
When the wall came down and Berlin became once again the capital city of the united Germany it was time to build new embassies in the city. Some great architecture was created but none of the new embassies is as famous as the embassy complex of the Nordic countries.
Situated on the southern end of the Tiergarten five nordic countries - Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden - came together with an idea of 5 similar buildings built together and enclosed by a single greenish envelope and birch trees. There is also a sixth building that accommodates public features like a library, cultural centres and exhibition places. A huge block of granite makes the main 4-storey high facade of the Norwegian embassy while Danes proudly display famous Danish chair design that you can see if you peek through the street window.
Built in 1999 by Berger and Parkkinen the Nordic Embassy Complex is a fine example of architecture and a great showcase of the Nordic approach that includes both individuality and cooperation.
Rauchstrasse, bus #200 stops nearby.
Huge, huge department store
by nomadig about KaDeWe
KaDeWe or Kaufhaus des Westens is a mammoth of a department store. Filling most part of a block and then expanding to the neighbouring buildings, the store can provide all the things you need.
There are several floors filled with various stuff, and every floor could easily contain a smallish department store. The basement has cosmetics, bags, belts and other accessories, the next few floors up have fashions and the rest of the floors have home stuff, sport items and others. There is also a bookstore in the building.
One of the more pecular aspects of shopping experience are the centralised cashiers: there is only one place at a floor to pay your purchases. Navigating to the cashier can be quite annoying, especially if they are renovating the floor and there are stuff obscuring the views.
Here you have everything...
by KittyIsAround
Berlin has a very good Infrastructure
You can go by Subway & Train or by Car, also Busses and Bicycles are there and good. Or wanna see Berlin from the water? Then take trip on a Boat over the "Spree" (river). Or you want a Berlin feeling? Then take a "Riksha", Bikes with 3 wheels that a driver will drive for you - you can sit in a comfortable seat and watch the city - though these way is not that cheap of course