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Berlin, Germany
#106407
01/23/10 08:40 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Sundvl
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Hi, Do you have any recommendations for a private guide in Berlin? We will only be there 1 1/2 days and would like to maximize our time there. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Miriam
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Re: Berlin, Germany
#106408
01/23/10 11:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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sedona
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Berlin is one of those cities that has great groups and walking tours. I have done both private and group there and have found the basic walking group tour for 15 per person one of the best tours I have ever taken. I've taken it twice with two different tour guides and it is a wonderful city overview. There is a wonderful tour - wrong adjective- to the concentration camp. There is the outdoor pictoral museum- I will look up the name- that is a don't miss. It is free and gives the history of the rise of Hitler. It is a fascinating city.
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Re: Berlin, Germany
#106409
01/23/10 11:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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sedona
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l looked up my notes. For group or individual tours, Berlin walks was very good. Topography of terror is the outdoor photojournalistic museum that traces the rise of Hitler's regime. This museum is open until 8pm and takes about 90 minutes. The other two tours i recommended in the above post were available in group or private tours. Discount tickets are available.
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Re: Berlin, Germany
#106410
01/25/10 07:22 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Sundvl
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Thank you so so much! Appreciate your suggestions. Will look into Berlin walks. Am looking forward to visiting this city.
Miriam
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Re: Berlin, Germany
#106411
01/26/10 05:16 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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sedona
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If you come in via the airport, you can purchase multi-day discount books with transportation. These give you unlimited access to the subway, train to and from airport, buses as well as discount tickets, including tours and museums. It is well worth purchasing. The city is walkable, but huge (like Manhattan). The subway is very good and safe and you may find it helpful to use.
You didn't ask about hotels, but if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. Food is good and well priced. Try to stick to the East Berlin side. This is the historic area. West Berlin looks like Fifth Avenue in NYC. It was very nice for high end shopping and there are nice hotels, but there is little of historic interest there and it takes a fairly long time to get over to historic and museum areas.
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Re: Berlin, Germany
#106412
01/27/10 10:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Sundvl
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Thanks again for the great info. We were looking to use Hilton points. Not sure where the Hilton Berlin is located (East/West). We also had Marriott points but the reviews on Trip Advisor were not that good.
Miriam
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Re: Berlin, Germany
#106413
01/27/10 04:56 PM
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adrenn
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Andy is right - subway is easy and a good way to get around. We didn't wind up having time to do Berlin Walks (were there on a short weekend) but had also had them recommended by friends. We hadn't realized a river traverses Berlin - it's pretty along that stretch of the city. The Ka Wa De department store has amazing food halls a la Harrods in London. Well worth a visit and/or a stop for lunch or dinner. I want to say Galeries Lafayette has a similar arrangement in their basement. Pergamon Museum is a must if you're at all interested in ancient massive ruins - there's a reconstructed temple and the Gates of Ishtar. It's similar/better quality than the British Museum in London There's also a museum not far from the Pergamon that highlights life in Eastern Germany from post- WWII through the fall of the wall. It's a quick visit and gives you a thorough glimpse of daily life. We went in the winter and took the subway to Potsdam to see the location of the Potsdam conference. That was not so easy to navigate on our own; we eventually got there, but not without a major detour on the bus into the surrounding country side. That said, we saw where the local rifle clubs get together for the weekends. Cheers, Anne
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Re: Berlin, Germany
#106414
01/28/10 06:30 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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sedona
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The bottom line is any good hotel in East Berlin will be fine. I only stayed at the Marriott once on a business trip and the Marriott is well located in East Berlin. It was fine. The Hilton is well regarded and well located in the heart of East Berlin. My personal preference is across from the Dom (Church) at the Radisson as it was very well priced and extremely well located. The Ritz Carlton is very well located as well. If you choose a hotel in East Berlin, the subway (or taxi) makes it easy to get anywhere. It is staying in West Berlin (especially for such a short stay) that could interfere with your ability to see everything. While there are lovely large and boutique hotels in West Berlin and they are well priced versus East Berlin, you will waste a fair amount of time staying there. That's my only caution. You can use the subway or taxis for dinner reservations. There are loads of great museums and so much to see, I'm sure you will want a return trip. I really enjoyed the Pergamon Museum and to see the highlights Anne recommended would not take too much time. I was disappointed with the Holocost museum compared to the one in Washington, DC. Wish I were joining you!
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Re: Berlin, Germany
#106415
02/04/10 06:08 PM
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Andy and Anne,
You are always so helpful and I appreciate the time you take to respond to my questions. We are looking at Berlin Walks and someone gave us the name of a private guide, Jeremy. We are still debating what we will do.
In addition, saw a couple of day trips to Pottsdam. Since we are only there for 1.75 days trying to evaluate if this would be feasible.
Once again, thank you for your valuable info. Safe and happy travels to you!
Miriam
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Re: Berlin, Germany
#106416
02/04/10 07:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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sedona
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There is so much to see in East Berlin, personally, I would save Pottsdam for a return trip, which I'm sure you will make with more time to spare.
If the private guide can get you to more places, it might be a good idea to go with him. Berlin Walks (with the group tour) is great for the overview of the historical and main sites and is a great deal. Perhaps you can do both?
It is hard...with just 1.75 days, you will get a flavor for this city, but will not be able to see it all. I would stick to things that define Berlin versus other cities, so you get a sense of the history of the city.
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