Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Off Topic => Topic started by: NickDRFC on May 15, 2019, 12:28:27 pm

Title: Berlin
Post by: NickDRFC on May 15, 2019, 12:28:27 pm
Anyone been? Going next month to watch Fleetwood Mac but got 3 full days there so any recommendations would be appreciated!
Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: silent majority on May 15, 2019, 12:37:08 pm
The night life is great. Not much of the wall left, and check point Charlie is just a tourist rip off. Not much help I'm afraid, but it's a pleasant city to walk around, Brandenburg Gate is iconic and the Russian cemetery nearby is worth a trip.

Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: SydneyRover on May 15, 2019, 12:39:13 pm
Stayed at the MEININGER Berlin Hauptbahnhof Hostel last year and in other places too which we found to be good value with a bar and stuff like free breakfasts and coffee/fruit all day. Booked a private room but you have to check facilities at each hostel as they are all different.

The best part of the hostels are those that stay there, a great mix of old and young from all nations.





Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: glosterred on May 15, 2019, 02:32:06 pm
The only times I’ve been was when the wall was up and then it probably the best place for a night out you can visit. Bit of a tip, don’t get in the baths!


Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: Iberian Red on May 15, 2019, 02:39:49 pm
Anyone been? Going next month to watch Fleetwood Mac but got 3 full days there so any recommendations would be appreciated!

Don't bother with Fleetwood Mac.
Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: German Rover on May 15, 2019, 05:14:33 pm
Mauer park market on a sunday is immense. You can pick pretty much anything there, and you'll see everyform of life on the planet there!

Kreuzberg is an interesting area to visit as well for the culture as well. Doner tasche is always worth trying as well. So much better than a british kebab!
Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on May 15, 2019, 07:36:00 pm
I'd definitely recommend the Brandenburg gate. If you ignore the Starbucks and McDonalds there. It feels like being at the centre of history.

And the Bundestag is possibly the greatest work of architecture of the 20th century. From a distance, the glad dome looks like it has holes in it. Like the old done that was shelled in the war. And then the concept of having public walkways in the dome where people can look down on their representatives as if to say "We KNOW what was done in this building in our name, and we're watching you to make sure it never happens again!" Genius. And deeply thought provoking.
Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: Jenny on May 15, 2019, 09:04:09 pm
We did a really good walking tour which was free and took you round most of the major sights learning about the history etc.

It was bloody freezing when we went I'd like to return in milder conditions for sure
Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: Donnywolf on May 15, 2019, 09:58:17 pm
Second vote for Bundestag - great piece of design (Norman Foster so not surprising) Well worth a visit

As SM says Checkpoint Charlie a Tourist trap and though there is not much of the wall left it is good to try to follow it especially round Brandenburg Gate because most of it is still marked out

We went in a Cafe not far from there and were trying to work out where it had gone and I said it must be under this building as it was newish and there under the table was a row of tiles showing where it ran right through

The Beer is excellent and I dont mind going in the big Department Stores as most have Bars with Weihenstephaner (Green label best for me - but Blue also ok as it is like Erdinger or Paulaner).
Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: RedJ on May 15, 2019, 10:27:23 pm
We did a really good walking tour which was free and took you round most of the major sights learning about the history etc.

It was bloody freezing when we went I'd like to return in milder conditions for sure


This. It's an amazing city and so much to see and do there. It's one of the cheaper capital cities in western Europe.

One thing to avoid is people going round with a clipboard near the Brandenburg Gate. They will try and scam you and if this fails they will try and rob you. The public transport is absolutely outstanding too.
Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: RobTheRover on May 16, 2019, 12:40:37 pm
We did a really good walking tour which was free and took you round most of the major sights learning about the history etc.

It was bloody freezing when we went I'd like to return in milder conditions for sure


Did you add "for sure" just to appear to speak like the locals, Jenny?  ;)
Title: Re: Berlin
Post by: Highland Rover on May 16, 2019, 06:53:50 pm
 Was there 1970-73 with the RAF so expect my information might well be out of date !!!

 If you are interested in anything military , there's an aircraft museum at the former RAF Gatow ( a former Luftwaffe base ) .
Plenty of walks around the Havel to enjoy