The train journey from Paris was quite pleasant. Frist class on the TGV was really spacious on the second floor, with a great view of the world. I got stuck into a book given by our friends in Paris called “Aleph”, which they thought would be quite appropriate, given that it captures Paolo Coello’s journey through the Trans-Siberia.
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At Mannheim we changed trains to Berlin and the boys went to a kinder group onboard. The first hour or two child-free since our trip!
Arriving into Berlin Hauptbahnhof felt like we were returning to a familiar town, even though neither of us has ever been to Berlin. The fancy lights, the very large christmas trees, the organised busyness all seemed so familiar to our last German visit. We love Germany, and we are happy to experience it again in December.
There is not much to do on the first day, because we arrive in the evening and all that is left is to grab dinner – which we do close by to our place at ‘Stadtklause‘ on the recommendation of our airbnb host. A really cute pub, with a home-style menu doesn’t and it disappoint. The meal sizes are quite generous and you can only pay by cash. I recommend visiting this place if you ever get a chance.
Topography of Terror Centre & Checkpoint Charlie:
We have started to become accostomed to the sun rising around 8am. The boys are waking up close to 8 and I don’t have to feel guilty about staying in bed until at least 8:30am! It’s like a sleep-in every day.
Our target today is to visit the Pergamon museum, wandering the streets on our walk there to see what we find. We first come across part of the Berlin wall and Topography of Terror Centre, which was apparently THE headquarters for all the crimes committed! This is a very interesting place to visit. Children may not find this as appealing as a lot of it requires reading. The one thing the boys did take away from this place was the fact that not all the SS officers were blonde/blue eyed, but also had dark hair. Why did a country need to build a wall? And why did everyone like Hitler if he was so mean? All of these are sound questions, and I have often asked myself, how could anyone with such outlandish views receive so much public support and very little opposition?
Checkpoint Charlie:
Christmas markets
Gendarmenmarkt
Everyone raved about the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas markets, because it is “the biggest and the best in Berlin”. As you can imagine our expectations were high. The square is undoubtley very beautiful, surrounded by the German and French Cathedral and Schinkel’s Konzerhaus (concert hall). We walked into Gendarmenmarkt around midday. There was still quite a bit happening, but obviously not as much as what would occur later in the evenings.
If you enter the market after 2pm you have to pay $1Euro. This was the first time we have ever come across a German Christmas market where you have to pay. Whilst it’s not expensive, compared to the other markets we visited that were free, we didn’t think Gendarmenmarkt was THAT amazing other than the location. With kids, there no rides, as found in other markets. This market would be best enjoyed if you’re going as a couple (without kids).
The Berliner Weihnachtszeit
is apparently the oldest christmas market in Berlin and also attracts quite a lot of people. It has a large ice-skating rink, huge ferris wheel, rides and Santa visits and talks to the children from the sky on his moving sled. It’s very impressive at all the little intricacies put into this market. As a bonus, we got to enjoy a GlĆ¼hwein while the boys had a ride on the merry-go-round.
Postdamerplatz
River cruise
We came across a river cruise, it was a bit chilly (or so I thought) and the next session was about to start in 15 minutes. To our suprise, Anna, who was the tour guide was very animated, friendly and quirky in her presentation. She made everyone laugh and was quite knowledgeable.
I would highly recommend getting a cruise and hope that you get Anna as your guide!
Tiergarten & Victory Column
This is a huge park (520acres) in size and leads to the victory column.
Island museums
These are some amazing museums that if visiting without kids, you would be able to take your time, read all the signs, listen to the audio with intense interest and soak all the historic information in with a sense of awe and appreciation!
Our boys did well walking through the Pergamon and Neus, but we didn’t get to experience this museum as you would child-free. My audio guise ended up having to be shared and half the time I was rousing on them to not run around and hit each other. The Ishtar gate will be remembered as the moment I stood admiring it’s grandeous size, letting my imagination run wild, only to be sadly and abruptly interrupted by a little person desperate to go to the toilet! š”
If you want to really soak in these museums – go child-free!
Pergamon and Neues museum
Unfortunately the Pergamon gate was unavailable this visit as the museum is undergoing renovations.
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Brandenburg gate, Reichstag, Sinti & Roma memorial
Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe
This memorial is quite artistic, containin 2,711 concrete stelae that seems representative of coffins. It also has a an terranian information centre. This is to honour the up toĀ six million Jewish victims throughout Europe.
The Berlin Bunker story:
I highly recommend this museum! Very informative and has many original photos of events, a remake of Hitler’s Bunker and his whole life.
Visit this museum if you are ever in Berlin!
Natural history museum & Berlin wall memorial
Some other pics around Berlin
Family Excursions Abroad 