I wasn't totally alone another traveller "J" that often uses the single traveller companies also had avios points and fancied Berlin booked the same dates to join me on the trip. J actually flew from Glasgow and we met up at heathrow on route.
Day 1 - Early start to get to the airport but thats not a bad thing driving to Leeds/Bradford as not the best roads during the rush hour. Flight to London was slightly delayed but not a issue, arrived just before J but eventually met up with enough time to knock the froth off a beer before boarding our flight to Berlin. We set off about 30 mins late but a decent tail wind saw us actually arrive on time, only just time to have a glass of wine and bite to eat on the plane.
Tegel airport is tiny, through security and you are tripping over the baggage carousel, decided to drop my Euros when changing over wallets causing panic, lol (usually do it before boarding the flight, lesson learned there).
Could have used public transport to get to the hotel but it involved changes which is messy with luggage so decided on taxi, was only 25euros (including tip) so 12.5 each.
We arrived at the hotel and was both happy with our rooms, it was a big hotel and we seemed to have everything needed, if anything the free wi-fi was a little slow. First impressions was it was in a quiet area but we found enough resturants and bars in the area and was only a 5 minute walk to a U-Bahn station.
After unpacking and freshening up it was late afternoon so we had a walk to the Europa Centre (shopping Mall) as we knew there was a tourist inforation and we wanted to buy "Berlin Welcome Cards". We opted for the 5 day card which is fantastic value, gets you a minimum of 25% off any attraction you visit plus all transport in the city (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Trams & Buses) is free. The card covered zones A & B (all the city including airports) and only cost 34euros, if you wanted to visit Potsdam you needed zone C and was only another 5euros but it wasn't in our plans.
The Europa Centre had some nice shops although not what we were there for and we also noticed a Irish Pub.
We walked back to the hotel a different route exploring the area, stopped off for drink in a nice little square with 4 or 5 cafes.
Was starting to feel slightly hungry so after walking a little further found a small Italian restaurant, we both opted for a soup followed by a mains. Was happy with my Tomato soup but J wasn't over impressed with the Minestrone (seemed to be a few veggies dropped in a tomato soup). The mains were fine, they usually are when hungry.
Afterwards it was back to the hotel for a couple of drinks before calling it a day and hitting the cot.
The weather while in Berlin was very hot and humid, way above their average for this time of year, many buildings including the hotel bar were actually uncomfortable because the don't have the air con systems to cope with freak weather.
Day 2 - Up nice and refreshed after a good sleep i arrived at breakfast to find it really busy that made you realise how big the hotel was, people everywhere. We got seated and must say the buffet breakfast was good with lots of choice with both hot and cold food.
Our first day we decided to do the hop on hop off bus tour, our welcome card getting us discount. Think its a great idea to do this when visiting a place for the first time, helps you get your bearings a find all the main sites.
First place we got off was Potsdam Plaza, for a couple of photos, then it was past Checkpoint Charlie (but didn't get off), next we did get off at Alexandraplatz again for a few photos. Of course that was where Matt Damon got on the tram in the Bourne Identity.Next stop was the Brandenburg Gate again we jumped off, buses are really regular and had good english commentry (think there was 18 languages to choose from).
As we travelled around it became apparent Berlin is a very big city with lots to see and do.
Eventually after almost completing to circuit it was mid afternoon and we decided to jump off in a quiet suberb when we saw a cafe.
Both ordered Pizzas and sat outside, soon abandoned that when we were swarmed by insects so relocated inside, lol.
Had a bit of time left in the day so decided to jump on a U-Bahn train to see the Olympic stadium, was looking at the map and counting the stations down (2 to go) when J mentioned that everybdy was getting off, i looked up and saw another lady opposite so just figured it was because the stadium was at the end of the line so quiet.Well that was until the train stopped in a tunnel and the engine shutdown, thinking the lady opposite was local and knew what was happening asked her, turned out she was Polish and also trying to get to the Stadium. Then the driver walked by the window and fortunately saw us and got on to explain we should have got off at the last stop as only every other train goes to the stadium.
He said don't panic just wait 10 mins and it will return in the other direction and to get off at the first stop and swap platforms which we eventually did.
As expected from the outside the Olympic Stadium looked old and dated but once inside was totally impressed, was massive and really modern. Was a little cafe so had a drink because the heat was really overpowering.Eventually back to the hotel to get showered and changed to go out, decided to eat at a small restaurant near the hotel, when we arrived it was packed outside so we went inside but again no air con and was too hot so decided to go for a drink at a sports bar close by until they had a outside table available.
Got sat outside at the sports bar and the waiter came for our order "two beers please", "sorry sir we dont serve alcohol", oh dear turned out to be a shisha sports bar, now thats a first for me, lol.
Anyway we moved on and ended up in a Greek cocktail bar close to the U-Bahn station, really nice friendly staff and the cocktails were only 4euro so this became our local. Well every day on way back to hotel late afternoon we stopped off for a drink before going to get ready for the evening.
Eventually got a table at the restaurant and the waitress was really stressed and snappy with a few customers, think it was result of the heat an been really busy, we were eating late so it was calming down a bit and eventually she started to smile. Lets just say they don't cut back on portion size, enjoyed the meal.
Part two to follow (days 3 & 4)
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