SHARING OUR BERLIN EXPERIENCE

In this second Berlin post I will explore with you some of the landmarks we visited and the coffee shops and restaurants we ate in. We were in Berlin only for a short period and there is so much more of the city I would love to explore, so this is by no means an exhaustive guide, but more a taster to tempt you there. Not that it would take much tempting for me - I really loved the little that I saw of the city and can't wait to go back.

PLACES WE VISITED

The Gendarmenmarkt in the Mitte district, is one of the most significant and beautiful squares in Berlin, best known for the three architectural gems of the German and French cathedrals and the Concert Hall. It must be magical to see when the festive markets are hosted here with all the Christmas lights and an ice rink, being close to many other major attractions including the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and Museum Island, and in the centre of one of the main shopping areas, it is a must see on any tourists' agenda.

As a little fashion note, in the shot below I am wearing a lightweight jumper from Zara which is new in this season and comes in a range of colours including black, navy, light grey and neon pink. Great for early summer weather when the temperature fluctuates and you need a versatile piece. The bag is from Loxley England and is the Devonshire Tote, which is so capacious I can fit pretty much everything in including the kitchen sink!.

Stood in Gendarmenmarkt with the Concert Hall behind me.

Brandenburg Gate

An absolute must see is the Jewish Museum which chronicles Jewish history in Germany from the 4th century and is both interesting and informative. But what I found most affecting was Daniel Lebiskind's architecture with its three axial routes and the incredible full height empty spaces or voids, which are cut through by shafts of light and really provoke contemplation. Another remarkable feature is The Garden of Exile which includes 49 earth filled columns standing on a slanting floor with olive willows growing out of the top. Arranged in rows to form a square, the garden represents the experience of Jewish exiles driven from their homes. It is both disorientating and awe-inspiring with a feeling that the massive columns are toppling over and you will not be able to escape, even though a route to freedom is visible at all times.

Garden of Exile

The Memory Void houses the work of Menashe Kadishman entitled Fallen Leaves. With more than 10,000 metal faces carpeting the floor it is dedicated to all the innocent victims of war and violence. Even though it is a very uncomfortable feeling, you are supposed to walk onto the faces and it really invokes an emotional response.

Memory Void

The Topography of Terror exhibition is located on the site where the SS Headquarters, Main office of State Security and Gestapo prison were based. It documents the rise and fall of the Nazi party and those very institutions that were located in the vicinity. There is a lot to read but it has been set out so that the chronology is easy to follow and it is well worth the effort of taking it all in.

East Side Gallery was very close to our hotel and is an open air gallery located on the banks of the River Spree where artists use the longest remaining 1.3km segment of the Berlin Wall as their canvas. Originally painted in 1990 by more than 118 artists from various countries as a memorial to freedom marking the events of 1989-1990, part of the installation was controversially renovated as a large section was damaged by erosion and the ever pervasive graffiti, some of which is artistic in its own right but some is just plain ugly and verges on vandalism. It is worth a walk along the length of the wall to view the various artworks and it really gives you an appreciation of the divisive structure that split this amazing city in two.

Another quick style note here - the top is also from Zara and the jeans are from Won Hundred.

PLACES TO EAT

SILO Coffee on Gabriel-Max-Strasse in Friedrichshain was a fifteen minute walk from our hotel taking you into the heart of this vibrant, arty area. The coffee was amazing but the all day Aussie breakfast selection is even more mouth watering. I had the avocado with feta and chorizo and it was so good that we went back the next day for more!

Burgermeister on Oberbaumstrasse in Kreuzberg was a ten minute walk in the other direction from our hotel and is the best burger joint in town. Now we are not talking fancy here - this is literally a kiosk, which was previously a toilet, set under a rail bridge on a traffic island, where you stand at tables or rest on bum bars to eat. But believe me you will not be disappointed - one of the best burgers and cheesy fries ever.

We visited Das Meisterstuck on Hausvogteiplatz for a late lunch, hence the emptiness, but we had a lovely simple meal with me eating ham and hummus on rye bread. And it was really good. I think this would definitely be somewhere to go back to for the evening and enjoy a beer from their extensive selection and a Wurst (sausage).