POTSDAMER PLATZ ARCADES

One of the biggest department store complexs, located in Central Berlin at Potsdamer Platz is the arcade centre. There are more than 100 stores across three floors selling clothing, electronics, food, and much more. This area is also great to grab some lunch or a cafe at one of the numerous cafes or restaurants in this area. Also at this location are cinema complexs and a Sony Centre for your next hi-tech purchases or big screen entertainment.

FRIEDRICHSTRASSE

For a more upmarket shopping experience, or purely for window shopping pleasure, head to Quartier 206 in Berlin Mitte. Here you can find high quality and internationally famous designer label products. On Quartier 207 you can find the Galeries Lafayette, the most spectacular shopping complex in Berlin and the only other branch of this famous French department store outside France! Browse amongst the latest French fashion, an enormous beauty section and library. Customer events are regularly offered here in-store. You can access these complexes from the metro, alighting at either Stadtmitte or Fanzösische Strasse stops.

KURFUERSTENDAMM AND TAUENTZIENSTRASSE

Tauentzienstraße, which is the extension of Kurfuerstendamm offers a shopping experience for everyone and anyone. All kinds and styles of clothing, gifts and more at different price markets can be found here, as well as a lively shopping atmosphere!

Europa Center is a commercial shopping center with almost a 100 shops where you will find your regular shoopping outlets but also a good range of souvenirs and gifts. Walking down Kurfuerstendamm from the Europa Center you will pass many popular and affordable youth fashion stores including Zara, H&M and Benetton.

On the corner Kurfuerstendamm and Joachimstaler Strasse you will find the new Kranzler Eck market building with the popular Café Kranzler a favorite amngst seasoned shoppers craving a break and a caffine boost. If you continue walking past here you’ll find a more exclusive, boutique zone with stores from Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, Luis Vuitton and Jil Sander.

Often overlooked by visitos to this area the side streets like the Uhlandstraße, Fasanenstraße, Knesebeck- und Bleibtreustraße, but here you’ll find some exciting local boutiques and fabulous gift shops.

OPEN-AIR MARKETS IN BERLIN

Berlin is home to plenty of bric-à-brac and flea markets which offer the most enjoyable shopping experience and atmosphere, especially during the summer. The best known flea market is on the Strasse des 17. Juni on weekends. This market offers the usual range of second hand books, clothes and antique items, but also some unique local designed art, craft and gifts which make great souveniers to take home.

For something a little different, try the Turkish Community’s fresh fruit and vegetable market at Maybachufer. It’s a great experience where you can also sample some Turkish cuisine and delectable sweets amongst one of Berlin’s biggest ethnic communities. 

KARNEVAL DER KULTUREN (CARNIVAL OF CULTURES)

The Karneval der Kulturen is a celebration of Berlin’s ethnic diversity and its growing multicultural communities. 2008 will be the thirteen such festival in Berlin, running from the 9^th-12^th of May. Easily one of Berlin’s most colourful festivals, the event involves thousands of participants who don their cultural dress and take part in a parade and dance along the streets of Kreuzberg. The idea is to promote cultural diferences and acceptance within the community. Hundreds of artists, dancers and singers will be in town for the event, sure to take part in the street festival celebrations.

LOVE PARADE

Berlins Love Parade is truly legendary. Certainly one of the biggest, craziest and attended music festivals in Europe today. It began as a celebration of love and friendship in 1989, with just 150 participants who came together to celebrate love, freedom and techno music! The event grew with a different motto or slogan for each year relating to the same idea of love, relationships, freedom and acceptance. By the end of the 1990’s the attendance was close to one and a half million party goers and guest DJs from all over the world. Today the idea of liberation of love has gone that step further with a number of participants choosing to attend the festival naked, in a sign of true liberation and acceptance!

The three day festival is the biggest techo/dance scene and many revellers will travel from other countries to take part. The main event is usually held in the month of June, although the 2007 parade was cancelled as the City of Berlin didn’t give their approval for the event to go ahead. It is expected to return in 2008 and usually takes place on Strasse des 17 Juni and around the Grosser Stern and the Victory Column in the middle of Tiergarten.

JAZZ FEST BERLIN

Not the biggest or the best Jazz festival in Europe but it is Berlins own and attendees will likely enjoy the German take on ´jazz´music through a series of events and free concert venues.

Since its beginning in 1964, it began to draw criticism since the 2000 festival thanks to a somewhat loose interpretation of what sort of music fell into the category of ´jazz. The festival director was replaced in 2001 and since then crowd interest began to return.

The 2008 festival is scheduled for November 6-9, and the program will be announced in August.

DMY INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FESTIVAL

The increasingly popular design festival-forum is scheduled for late May in 2008, under the slogan “The sky is not the limit”. Latest trends, innovations and design ideas will be presented and discussed, alongside a showcase of the best European and international design talent and service providers. A must for designers and those in related industries, and an interesting insight into today’s design world for the curious.

BERLIN MARATHON

The Berlin marathon is one of Europes most popular. The anual 35^th marathon in 2008 is scheduled for September 28^th. Last year, over 40,000 athletes took part in the 42 km race, passing under the Brandenburger Gate. Not just an event for sports fans, millions of spectators will be there to cheer on the competitors and also to enjoy live music from more than 70 different bands set up along the course. The atmosphere of this great event is not to be missed.

BERLIN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

For two weeks from the 16^th- 28^th October, the City Of Berlin provides a warming atmosphere just before the onset of winter with the Berlin Lights Festival. Berlins’ famous historical icons and a mixture of newer commercial sites will be ablaze with colour, light projections and fireworks. The event is usually enhanced by ‘lightshow’ tours that take place in the early evening and cultural events that are sponsored by corporations, looking for a little extra time under the spotlight.  There is also a photo competition which is open to amateurs and professionals who are interested in capturing the spectacle on film. It’s a great time to visit the city of Berlin, presenting a very different and modern perspective on the city.

ILA BERLIN AIRSHOW

This event has been taking place since the early 1909 and was initially a trade event for the ILA who remain the main sponsor of todays event.  In 2008 the show is scheduled for 27^th May until June 1^st. As well as a trade event where public access is denied for the first few days of the show, the airshow is increasingly becoming available to the public who can enjoy an insight into advanced aviation and space technology, including new research and defence technology.

THE REICHSTAG

The Reichstag Parliament building in Berlin is one of the city’s most iconic structures. It was completed in 1894 and housed parliament until 1933 when it was destroyed by a fire caused by the Nazis. It was further damaged during the Second World War. In 1994-1999 the architect Norman Foster was appointed to reconstruct and extend what was left of the original building. Since then on it has been the seat of the German Bundestag (Federal Government).A visit to the Reichstag is a must for any tourist visiting the city, offering a fantastic view from the top of the large dome in the centre of the roof. You may have to have to wait in a long queue to enter the building during the summer months, but the view is well worth the effort! The dome is open daily from 8am to 10pm and admission is free.  
BRANDERBURGER GATE 

The Brandenburger Gate was built between 1788 and 1791, as a city gate: a triumphant arch, modelled on the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. It was here that the celebration of the first real unification of Germany in 1871 (the Second Reich) took place. It also served as a site for Nazi celebrations in 1933, when Hitler marched along with his troops to take hold of the German republic. 

The gate was closed to the public for almost 30 years, before opening finally on October 3^rd, 1989, marking the fall of the Berlin wall and the coming together of the east and west sides of Berlin. The Brandenburger Tor is probably the most symbolic landmark in Berlin, and a definite must see attraction.   THE BERLIN WALL At the end of World War II, Germany was divided up into 4 parts, occupied by the American, British, French and Soviet forces.  At the beginning of the Cold War in 1948, the Soviet authorities tried to annex the whole city and started a blockade of routes through the city to the US, British and French sectors.  The move effectively cut off the electricity supplied to these zones, which ran through the Soviet sector as well as food and other essential supplies for the rest of the city.  Thanks to the Berlin Airlift, in which the American and British forces agreed to jointly bring in supplies by air, the Soviets were forced into a situation where they either had to take aggressive military action to stop them, or lift the blockade.  By May 1949 the blockade was lifted.

 That same year, the Soviet occupied area of Germany became the German Democratic Republic (GDR) with East Berlin as its capital. The other zones became the Federal Republic of Germany with the capital Bonn.

 Until 1961, East Germans could move freely between the Western and Eastern parts of Berlin. But many of the people living in East Berlin wanted to move to the wealthier and more progressive West. As many as 20,000 East Germans per month immigrated to West Berlin until the decision was made to close the boarder, stopping the flow of emigrants.

 On August 13, 1961 West Berlin was surrounded by barbed wire and the building of a large concrete wall began. The wall was 3.6 meters high and was guarded by almost 300 watch towers and military bunkers which were built along the border.

 The guards were ordered to shoot at anyone trying to cross the boarder. Until the boarder was reopened again in 1989, 192 people lost their lives trying to flee to the West, but there were also 5,000 successful escapes.

 Parts of the wall remain today which visitors can view for free, alongside an open-air exhibition about the history of the wall and its role during Germany’s turbulent past.

   CHECKPOINT CHARLIE MUSEUM Checkpoint Charlie was the crossing point between East and West Berlin for foreigners and members of the allied forces. Today the small booth in the middle of the street still stands and marks the site of a museum dedicated to the Berlin Wall, and more specifically, the creative, daring, successful and unsuccessful escape attempts of Berliners during 1961 and 1989 when the Berlin wall was finally torn down.

 The museum had humble beginnings. It began as a small exhibition space the size of two rooms of the apartment building that stands directly opposite the booth, but today the museum covers almost the entire building itself! Visitors can spend hours looking at artefacts from the war, many of which were donated by survivors and families of those who attempted their escape. There are letters, newspaper reports of escape attempts, death notices, accounts of those who managed their escape and even some of the materials used by escapees to cross to the wall. These include hand fashioned hang gliders, cars and even makeshift SCUBA equipment! The museum is a must see for those interested in this tragic chapter of Germany’s history. Get there on Subway: U6 Kochstrasse.

    BERLIN CATHEDRAL The Berlin Cathedral or Berliner Dom can be found on Museum Island (Museumsinsel) on the Spree river. The first church to be built on the site was in 1465, and later replaced by a cathedral in the 1700s during the Baroque period. As with many European cathedrals, it was built and rebuilt many times over the years during different artistic movements. However, its final form, most of which is well preserved today, was considered one of the Great Cathedrals of Europe, and a must-see for those who appreciate early European architecture.

 In 1894 during the Italian Renaissance period, a new design by Julius Raschdorff was ordered for construction by Emperor William II. Construction began in between 1895 and finished in 1905. This beautiful Cathedral, like many from that area, was severely damaged during the bombing of Berlin in the Second World War. A temporary roof was erected to protect the interior until reconstruction began in 1975. The interior of the cathedral itself was under reconstruction between 1984- 1993, when the church reopened. The main altar survived the destruction and dates back to 1850.

   MUSEUMSINEL (ISLAND OF MUSEUMS) Museumsinsel is a small island in the Spree River. Home to one of the most important complex of European museums, this site is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Currently undergoing major restoration to preserve the island’s foundations, the museums are set be linked together by a decorative promenade by 2010.

 The main museum, Pergamon houses one of the world’s most important collections of ancient art and architecture. There is also the Altes museum, bursting full of ancient sculpture and art from ancient Greece and Rome. The Alte Nationalgalerie has an amazing collection of European art from the 19^th Century. As well as museums, the site is also home to the grand Berliner Dom Cathedral and the Royal Palace with its lovely formal gardens. 

In 2007, 20 million passengers flew to and from Berlin from it’s three airports- Schoenfeld, Tegel and Tempelhof, which are together serviced by a total of 84 airlines, from 160 destinations around the world.

As one of Europe’s busiest transport hubs, particularly for international flights, it’s no wonder plans are underway for a new airport to the tune of over 2 billion euros! Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI) is scheduled to open in 211. In the meantime, visitors will have to negotiate with one or more of the city’s existing airports: Tegel, Templehof and Schoenefeld.

TEGEL AIRPORT, BERLIN

Located 8kms west of Berlin city centre, Tegel is the largest of three airports serving the German capital as the main international airport. In 2007, more than thirteen and a half million passengers flew out and in to Tegel, with an average of around 410 lights per day. 

 Getting to and from Berlin

 By Car:

 There are car parks available both under and around the terminal. The route between the airport and Berlin city is via the A111 north or A100 motorways. Both are well signposted. 

 By Bus:

 Jet Express buses (routes 128, 109 and X9) connect with the city’s subway system (the U-bahn) at Kurt-Schumacher-Platzx and Jakob-Kaiser-Platz. These routes also connect with the overground train system (S-Bahn). Buses run to destinations in the city centre, including Unter den Linden and Französische Strasse. The journey time is from 20 to 30 minutes. For more infomation, you can ask at the BVG office in the terminal’s main hall.

 By Taxi

 The taxi ranks are on the main road outside the terminal’s main hall, and also in front of gates 8/9 and 16. A taxi fare will cost you around 15€, depending on the time of day, the luggage you have and your pickup/ drop off point. It takes around 20-30 minutes to get to the city centre.

 TEMPLEHOF AIRPORT, BERLIN

 Tempelhof (THF) airport is the oldest and smallest of the three Berlin airports and situated in Tempelhof, about 7 kms away from the city centre. Opened in 1923, the airport has two main runways and services around 350, 000 passengers per year.

 Getting to and from Berlin

 By Car

The airport is situated just off Route 96/96a, which leads straight to the city centre.

 By Bus

 Frequent bus services are available from outside the terminal building, with links to all parts of the city. From the airport to the city centre, you’ll need a zone A ticket (one way) which is valid for 2 hours.  

 By Train

 Platz der Luftbrücke is the airport train station where you can connect to Berlin city centre. The U6 line connects with both the U7 and U1 east-west branches of the city’s urban rail system. U-Bahn line #U6 runs every 10 minutes to the city.

 By Taxi

 There is a taxi rank just outside the terminal building. A journey to the city centre costs about €20 (excluding additional luggage charges). Allow about 20 minutes for the journey, depending on traffic. 

SCHOENFELD AIRPORT, BERLIN

 Nearly 2 million passengers annually pass through Schoenfeld airport, which is located 18kms south of the city centre. There are three terminals, A, B and C, with most of the scheduled flights operating out of Terminal A.

By Car

The airport is 30 minutes by car from the city centre. It is located just off the A13 autobahn, which leads to the 96a roadway into the city, or to the A10 ring road which circles most of Berlin. Short term car parking facilities can be found in car park P3 and costs about €1.50 for 20 minutes.By TrainAirport Express trains run to the Berlin-Zoologischer Garten station in the city centre, departing from a station 500 metres from the terminal building. You can get to Schoenefeld by train (RE7, RB22, RB14), the airport express or the overground S45.By Bus Two bus lines serve the airport, leaving from outside the main entrance of Terminal A every 10 minutes. The buses run into downtown Berlin, making an intermediate stop to join the city’s urban railway system. Cost is €2.60.By TaxiThe Taxi rank is located outside terminal A. To the city centre a taxi costs between €30-35 and journey time is 25-40 minutes.