Day 19 - Saturday 13 June

Berlin (4).

We went to the nearby Kurfurstendamm, which was blocked off to normal road traffic for an impressive classic car show.

Whilst Di reviewed the shops, including one Christmas shop, Bill then returned to the Story of Berlin to go on a tour through one of the few remaining nuclear bomb shelters (none are now functionin in Berlin - during the Cold War, there were 16 in West Berlin and 6 in East Berlin, and this one became inoperative in 2012!

After lunch at Ka De We, we caught the bus to the World Heritage Museuminsel, which has 5 museums on the island. Time only permitted a visit to the magnificent Pergamonmuseum, which boasts exhibits in the form of the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way, the Mshatta Facade, and the Market Gate of Miletus. Unfortuantely, due to building works, the hall containing the Pergamon Altar is out of bounds until 2019.

Day 18 - Friday 12 June

Potsdam.

We caught a bus, then a train from Berlin to Potsdam and return. We spent the day walking around Sanssouci Park, and looked in and around the ensemble of palaces and garden complexes, which were built under Frederick the Great (King of Prussia) during the 18th Century, and were expanded under Frederick William IV in the 19th Century.

The first visit was to the Chinesisches Teehaus.

The next visit was to the Romísche Bader.

The next visit was to the Schloss Charlottenhof, one of the palaces that required special footwear to be worn.

The next visit was to the Neues Palais - the second photo is of the servants' quarters!

The next visit was to the main attraction - the Schloss Sanssouci, which houses an Andy Warhol painting of Frederick the Great.

We then passed by the Neue Kammern, with the windmill in the background.

Our final visit was to the Orangarie Schloss.

Since we couldn't walk anymore, we had to settle for a view of the pretty city of Potsdam from our local bus.

Day 17 - Thursday 11 June

Berlin (3).

We caught the bus to the Kreuzberg area, then walked through Mariannenplatz, which includes the Fire Brigade fountain, the Kunstlerhaus Bethanien, and the St. Thomas Church. However, the destination was the outlet store of one of Di's favourite shoe brands - Trippen.

Next we visited the Reichstag Dome (booked the previous day) - impressive.

We then visited the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of National Socialism.

Next we visited the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

After a German lunch we went to Hackeschen Hofe, a restored heritage area of connecting courtyards, which house boutiques, restaurants, bars and offices. 

Bill then went to the Story of Berlin, a museum displaying the 800 years of Berlin, and then walked home along Kurfurstendamm, and observed what Berliners love to do.

Day 16 - Wednesday 10 June

Berlin (2).

Another very interesting day walking around, absorbing the sights and improving our historical knowledge of Berlin. The first stop was at Reservations Office of the Reichstag Building, for access tomorrow.

We then walked through the Tiergarten, past the Brandenburg Gate, before catching a bus to the DDR Museum, an interactive exhibition of everyday life in East Germany.

After a photostop of the capitalist with Mark & Engels, we again strolled along Unter den Linden, and stopped at the Neue Wache, a memorial for the victims of war and tyranny, which had a wreath laid from the Estonian President by it.

The next stop was at the Lowenbrau am Gendarmenmarkt for some Bavarian pub food, followed by a visit (without sampling or buying!) into the famous Fassbender & Rausch Chocolate shop.

We then walked to Checkpoint Charlie, which has a very informative exhibition and a remnant of the Wall.

We then returned to Tauentzienstrasse, first to walk through KaDaWe's impressive food hall, then other shops, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and finally for a drink at the rooftop Monkey Bar at the Bikini Hotel (which overlooks the Zoo).