Long at the very heart of Germany's culture, history, and soul is the city of Berlin. This city has seen all kinds of hardship alternating with prosperity, and is now one of the most distinctive and popular travel destinations in Europe. Whether you are looking for sights of historical significance or just want to have a good time, Berlin is an excellent choice for your next holiday. |
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Berlin has a population of over 4.5 million people in the greater metropolitan area, so as you can imagine there is no shortage of things to do and places to see. It boasts a varied and vibrant nightlife, including a huge selection of clubs, cafes, bars, and other social gathering spots. There is certainly no shortage of fun to be had in Berlin!
The history of Berlin is both interesting and heartbreaking at the same time. It boasts an amazing background as the central and most important city in Germany, but also endured almost complete destruction during World War II and significant neglect during the Cold War that followed. It was a divided city right in the heart of the country, with part controlled by the Soviet-aligned powers and the other part controlled by the Western-aligned powers. The Berlin Airdrop of the 1950's was an heroic effort to keep the people of West Berlin fed during a lengthy blockade by Eastern forces, and the construction of the Berlin Wall served to emphasize even further the conflict between East and West. When the wall eventually began to come down in 1989 it was a watershed moment for Berlin, for Germany, and for the rest of the world as well.
Among the most interesting historical landmarks are the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. These two locations played a central role in the history of Germany and are famously seen in many pictures of scenic Berlin. Some of the world's best and most diverse museums are located in Berlin, including the Deutsches Historisches Museum, the Gemaldegalerie, the Museum of European Cultures, and the Museum fur Natudkunde. To the immense credit of the German people, their country's sometimes troubled history is not overlooked at all; rather, it is openly talked about and discussed thanks to some excellent museums and exhibitions located in Berlin. Two of the best are the Topography of Terror open air exhibit devoted to chronicling the Nazi regime, and the Mauermuseum at Checkpoint Charlie devoted to chronicling the history and experiences of Berlin when it was a divided city.
The city itself boasts some excellent opportunities for self guided walking tours as well as guided tours hosted by knowledgeable and friendly tour guides. Walk along the scenic streets, bike along one of the many excellent bike paths, or simply explore one of the many interesting and enchanting small shopping districts. You should also make time to visit one or more of Berlin's excellent parks or zoos. The Berlin Zoo is famous the world over for its displays of panda bears and, more recently, Knut the orphaned polar bear cub. Tiergarten is a huge and scenic park where it is easy to find some enjoyable spot to rest and relax for as long as you like.
Travel to and from Berlin is very easy and convenient, especially with the extra flexibility afforded to residents of European Union countries. Currently, Tegel International Airport is the main international hub, with service by all of the major international air carriers to many different parts of the world. However, in the future air traffic in and out of Berlin will be consolidated at an expansive new airport to be called the Airport Berlin Brandenburg International. This modern and advanced facility is scheduled to open some time in 2011. Transportation from the airport into the city is plentiful, including buses, taxis, and numerous airport shuttles. Check with the hotel where you plan to stay, as many offer discounts on transportation and even free courtesy shuttles in some cases.
Wiki:- Berlin
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