Another Train Journey, another major European city, Berlin the stop this time. After settling into our Best Western accommodation (almost felt like home except for the white stuff on the ground outside the hotel and the freezing cold weather) we ventured out a visited a German Pub for a meal and a German beer.

After advice received in Amsterdam, our first museum stop was the German Historical Museum. We saw that Germany did in fact have some history before the both World Wars but that history involved what seemed to be a lot of different wars, including a 'thirty year war'. Got to touch some medieval clothing and see a lot of clothing, posters, letters and military weapons from over the years.

We then visited Checkpoint Charlie and its museum. This point and area was one of the major crossing points between East and West Berlin whilst the wall was up. It was amazing to read some of the stories and tales of the lengths people went to get from East to West Berlin.

Night time in Berlin and it was ghost tour time. We met up with our night watchman and he took us around the Nikolai Quarter, the home of Medieval Berlin and recounted many stories of what happened back in the day. We got to finish the tour off with a drink in the oldest Berlin Pub dating back to the 16th century. For those who are interested in medieval history of Berlin check out www.baerentouren.de

Next day the snow had started to fall again and we decided to go on a city bike tour. We had half expected it to be canceled due to the weather but Tom our tour guide warned us that it was going to be bloody cold and there will be some bad jokes. He was right on both accounts! What started off as light snow falling turned into the closest thing to a blizzard we have seen, however Tom gave us a great insight into the history of Berlin and we visited all the major sights, including Hitlers Bunker where he committed suicide, the only watch tower left standing that soldiers kept watch in to make sure no one escaped from East to west while the wall was up and of course the Berlin Wall, what small part of it that is left standing anyway.

Corrine will never forget Checkpoint Charlie after her little incident. She managed to lose control of the bike and fell over doing the splits, because of the slippery surface it required both Craig and another man to help her back on her feet. For those who visit Berlin in the future be sure to check out Fat Tire Bike company. www.fattirebiketours.com/berlin We had a great time and it was well worth being in the freezing cold.

Next door to the hotel was a little kebab shop that had some great food. It was there Corrine decided that she wuvs wodka.

For those heading to Berlin thinking that all Berlin has to offer is pubbing and clubbing you are going to miss out on a load of stuff. Berlin has a fantastic history both very old and very recent, make sure you check it all out.

Tomorrow we head off to Prague.

Blog you later

written by  craigandcorrine on January 10, 2010 from Berlin, Germany
from the travel blog: World Tour
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As far I know biking tour is wonderful experience. Specially if you are accompanied by close friends.Berlin for me is more than a party place out of any extravaganza . So many historical places are there to visit where you can easily mix up history and great warriors to learn so many things. But you should have a good and expert travel guide with you through out the journey.

written by  gomesandy on January 12, 2010

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