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| Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) Berlin, Germany |
Who could have been the better buddy (ies) to travel other than your family? A Family who travels together, stays together.
After almost a year of preparation, we finally got to spend the 2019 holiday season in Europe. Looked forward to visit the best Christmas Markets in the world, likewise, the Cathedrals. The trip started on 21 December 2019 and ended on 06 January 2020. We are very thankful we arrived back to Singapore safely, no hint a pandemic was about to start or have started in the other countries. It took me so long to blog again. My blog is about travel and I do not advise or suggest to travel until after a year COVID vaccine is found and administered to all.
Our first stop was in Berlin. How did we spend a day and a half in Berlin? Before I continue further, these were the places we had visited:
Brandenburg Tor (Branderburg Gate)
Memorial to the Murdered Jews
Reichstag Building
Berlin Cathedral
Rotes Rathaus Christmas Markets, Berliner, Alexander Platz
Gendarmenmakt Christmas Markets
Berlin Wall: East Side Gallery features the Fraternal Kiss
Oberbaumbrücke (Oberbaum bridge crossing the Spree River)
We flew with LOT, a polish airline, departed Singapore at 00:20 on 21 December 2019. We arrived Frederic Chopin, Warsaw at 05:55 (local time) on the same day- 12 hours and 35 minutes haul. We continued the flight at 08:20 via LOT regional plane from Warsaw and have arrived Tegel Airport, Berlin at 09:45. One month before the trip, we have purchased in Singapore internet data that can be used all throughout Europe and UK. Our girls were heavy users, they once top up when we were in Belgium.
At the airport, we purchased the day ticket for small group at 23.50 euros. The ticket was good for group of 5, available for Zone A and B and for an unlimited trips for the day as long as we travel together. Tegel Airport is in Zone B and the the central Berlin is in Zone A.
From the airport, we took the TXL bus to the city. Our accommodation was a walking distance from the Belin Haubtbanhof (Central station). We chose this area because we were taking the train to Nuremberg the next day.
We had stayed at MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof - quadruple room for 80 euros. With that cheap price in the city, the place was basic and more like of a hostel. We did not mind though, we just stayed overnight and the location is without a doubt the best. I paid additional 15 euros for late check out. The schedule of our train to Nuremberg was at 3pm.
Apparently, we arrived before the check in. We left our luggage in their storage. Latter was opened every 30 minutes. If you have arrived there just as they just opened, you got to wait for half an hour which happened to us.
The first in our list was to Brandenburg Tor. We walked to the central station to take the S Bahn. You could opt to take the bus. We bought sausages and drinks in one of the bakeries inside the Central Station building before we boarded the train.
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| Brundenburg Tor (Brundenburg Gate) Berlin, Germany |
Wow! I can't believe we were in this place. Brandenburg Tor or the Brandenburg Gate is a famous neoclassical monument built in the 18th century where significant number of historical events held from the time it was built (between 1788~1791), through the World Wars period and during the division of Berlin.
The arch consists of 12 Doric column and crowned with statues known as quadriga, Latter was once taken to Paris by Napoleon after his triumphal procession through the gate in 1806 which marked the defeat of the Prussians. The quadriga was restored back in 1814 when the great Napoleon was finally defeated likewise, the occupation of the Prussian in Paris. The design of the monument was inspired by the Propylea,, the gateway to the Acropolis in Greece. You may want to check our travel blog visit to, ..
I am not sure if I do like these Pretzels, just want to have a photo with them with the other side of the Brundenburg Tor.
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| Berlin Victory Column |
The Berlin Victory Column was built with the bronze sculpture of Victoria, the goddess of Victory, to commemorate the victory of the Prussians against the Danish (1873), France (1870~71) and Austra and German allies (1866).
The Victory Column is one of the major tourist spots in Berlin with an observation deck to view Berlin. Entrance: 3 euros / 2.50 euros adult/reduce
Holocaust Memorial or Memorial of the Murdered Jews is opened to the public since 2005. The memorial is near the Brundenburg Gate. We stopped by here for a few minutes before our scheduled time to visit the Reichstag Building
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| Holocaust Memorial or Memorial of the Murdered Jews Berlin, Germany |
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| Observation deck at the Reichstag Building Berlin, Germany |
The Reichstag building was originally constructed and opened in 1894 to house the Parliament of Germany. In 1933, four weeks after Adolf Hitler had been declared as the Chancellor of Germany, a Dutch communist set fire in the building. It was refurbished in the 1960's, full restoration though started after the German reunification in October 1990. The restoration was fully completed in 1999 and at present, Reichstag Building is again the meeting place of the German Parliament.
Some areas in the building are opened for public viewing especially the roof top which offers wide view of the city, Berlin.
There was no entrance fee, however, you have to register the day and the time of your visit in advance.
View of the Brundenburg Tor and the Memorial for the Murdered Jews from rooftop of the Reichstag Building.
View of the few city's landmarks, stood out the Berliner Fernsehturm or the Television tower and the 25 storey's International Trade Centre. Next on the right are the Berlin Cathedral and the Red Town Hall. We can also see the Marschallbrucke (Marschall bridge), one of the bridges crosses the Spree River.
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| Reichstag Building Berlin, Germany |
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| Berlin Cathedral Berlin, Germany |
On our way to the Christmas Markets, we got off the bus when we saw the Cathedral. We went back here again the next day, more photos the next blog.
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| Berliner Weihnachtszeit Berlin, Germany |
The first Christmas Market we have visited this trip, the Rotes Rathaus Christmas Markets. This place is more known as the Berliner Weihnachtszeit. It is situated between the St. Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church) and the Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall).
Free ice skates, skating around the Neptunbrunnen. Skates shoes available for rent if you did not bring your own.
The fountain was designed with Neptune, the Roman God of the sea and freshwater, in the center with four (4) women around that represents the four rivers in Prussia (when it was constructed in 1891). Elbe represented by the allegorical figure holding fruits and ears of corn, the Rhine is the one with fishnet and grapes, Oder- goats and animal skin and Vistula- wooden blocks. At present, Vistula River is now in Poland and the Oder, part is in Poland on the border between Poland and Germany and the other part is in Czech Republic
The Giant Ferriswheel. London eye like, offers panoramic view of the city from up to 50 meters high
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| Berliner Weihnachtszeit Berlin, Germany |
Had more of the Thuringian bratwurst (sausage), mulled wine (GLÜHWEIN) and hot chocolate (Heiße Schokolade/Trinkschokolade). I suggest to learn the basic terms, not all could speak English. I remembered I was asking if the one in the picture is hot chocolate, no one understood me and I could see they wanted to ignore to accommodate the que behind me. I still bought the drinks, unsure though.- fortunately, my guess was right
Christmas was fast approaching!!! Christmas in Europe!!!
This 2020, Berliner Weihnachtszeit Opening hours:
Date: 23 November 2020 – 4 January 2021
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 12 pm -10 pm,
Saturday – Sunday 11 pm -10 pm,
Christmas Eve closed,
Christmas Day and Boxing Day 11 am - 9 pm
Free admission
Christmas Market at Alexanderplatz features the largest Ore Mountain pyramid in Europe decorated with more than 5000 lights. There are 100 stalls or over, more so, Carousel and Santa Clause party house for children to enjoy. Apparently, this market is in the center of the city, not as popular though as the market in the Gendarmenmarkt
Opening hours this 2020:
23 November - 27 December 2020
10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve
10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve
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| WeihnachtsZauber (Christmas Magic) at Gendarmenmarkt Berlin, Germany |
WeihnachtsZauber (Christmas Magic) at Gendarmenmarkt. This market is the most popular and luxurious in Berlin. Admission fee is 1 euro.
Opening hours this 2020:
23 November - 31 December 2020
Open daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Christmas Eve 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
New Year's Eve 11 a.m. - 1 a.m
Gendarmenmarkt, built in 1688, is a popular square in Berlin surrounded by architectural structures: Konzerthaus (Berlin Concert Hall), Französischer Dom (French church) and Deutscher Dom (German church). In the centre of the square stands a monumental statue of poet Friedrich Schiller.
Collecting fridge magnet in every city I visit.
Christmas Markets in Breitscheidplatz. It was closed when I got there. My family had enough for that day, I was on my own exploring the city that late.
This is another market in the City West area of Berlin, near the Gedächtniskirche (Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church), memorial for a German Emperor.
Also known as Weihnachtsmarkt an der Gedächtniskirche
Opening Hours this 2020
23 November 2020 - 3 January 2021
Open daily
Sunday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m
Christmas Eve 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
25 & 26 December 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
New Year's Eve 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.
1 January 20120 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
(Opening hours subject to change)
Check out our activity the next day. We walked along the East Side Gallery. You are right, I have a photo taken with the controversial Fraternal Kiss. At 14:05, we had left for Nuremberg by ICE.
You may want to check out the related video
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