Mercure Hotel & Residenz Berlin am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin

Advantages: History, culture, fun
Disadvantages: none that I can think of

......as JFK famously declared from the steps of the Town Hall in the 60s, (possibly?) unaware of its literal translation - "I am a Doughnut". Having recently visited Berlin for the first time since the Wall came down in 1989, I certainly wish I could claim that status myself. What a capital! The schizophrenia of old divided Berlin has gradually evaporated. I remember West Berlin in the 70s - artificially animated, neon lights and non-stop hyperactivity, a island of consumerism in the midst of Stalinist drabness. Checkpoint Charlie was actually scary - watchtowers, humourless border guards, machine guns and snarling Alsatians, and then there was the dreary uniformity of East Berlin (entirely monochrome in my recollection),no advertisements anywhere, where one struggled to spend the twenty-five marks one was obliged to change... Read review

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Advantages: A City well worth a visit
Disadvantages: None that I know of

...again a lively thriving city, with most of the wall now gone. Now on to the main story Berlin 2000 This was to be the visit, of all visits, and the main part of this review. My sister and I took my Mother and Father to Berlin, in the case of my Father (back to Berlin) this time we decided to travel by coach, as my Father wasn’t keen on flying, Although very enjoyable, I don’t think I would travel this way again, as it was so tiring, I prefer to fly. Anyway we booked through a company called “Travel Scope” I am not sure if they operate throughout England, but they do a wide range of tours and trips from South, South/East and parts of South/West of England We boarded a comfortable coach at a local pick up point in Hertfordshire (July 2000) and drove to Dover, for an 8.30 am ferry crossing to Calais, from there a very long... Read review

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Advantages: A wonderful city
Disadvantages: None

...between 1894 and 1905 and is 75m tall. The cathedral was built after the split of the Protestant and Catholic Church, as the Protestant answer to the Catholic cathedral of St. Peters Basilica in Rome. Originally rising up to 97m, the dome was destroyed in the Second World War and only rebuilt in simplified form. The Cathedral was beautiful inside and we went up the Dome. It was a long, exhausting trip to the top but the view was amazing. After visiting the Cathedral we walked to Checkpoint Charlie. Checkpoint Charlie was a crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Checkpoint Charlie became a symbol of the Cold War, representing the separation of east and west, and - for the East Germans - a gateway to freedom. Walking towards Checkpoint Charlie (towards the American Sector) there was photos and information about... Read review

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