We caught the 0330 flight (yes that's 3:30 in the MORNING) from Istanbul to Berlin. We arrived at 0600 and there waiting for us was our friend Reyk or Craig as we call him. In case you've forgotten, he was our bicycling German friend we'd met in Ireland. Reyk was extremely generous and kind. He provided us tours of the city (the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is not only free but an absolute must), allowed us to sleep for free in his 1 bedroom flat, and cooked us an AMAZING dinner and prepped us breakfast every morning. Now I have never stayed at a Bed & Breakfast but this must have been close if not better!
In addition to Reyk's tour, we paid 12€ to do the Brewer's Walking Tour. This 8 hour tour (yes all walking + a pub pitstop) takes you all around the central downtown area of Berlin. Our guide was extremely informative with both history and current events. For example, we learned heaps about Hitler's works, the East and West division, and saw the hotel where Michael Jackson dangled his baby from the window.
However, our FAVORITE thing about Berlin are the pretzels - ummmmm the hot, delicious, doughy goodness is addicting especially when the weather is cold and rainy. The other FAVORITE is the Berlin Curry Wurst. The curry wurst is simple and tasty. There are vendors on the street corners, very much the NY hot dog sellers, so finding one should be easy. All it invovles is a bratwurst which they cut into bitesize slices, dowse it with ketchup, and then sprinkle curry powder on top. Voilá...you have an inexpensive treat and a Berlin original!
So if you're in Berlin find the nearest street corner with a currywurst and don't go home without one or you'll be sorry!
