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August 31, 2011
The Reichstag Tip for young players: If you want to explore The Reichstag and take in the views from its famous dome, be sure to register online at least a couple of days beforehand. It’s still free - the registration process simply helps them to maintain security. Needless to say, this rookie found out the hard way on the last day of his trip. On the bright side, at least I’ve got another thing to do when next I’m in Berlin!

The Reichstag

Tip for young players: If you want to explore The Reichstag and take in the views from its famous dome, be sure to register online at least a couple of days beforehand. It’s still free - the registration process simply helps them to maintain security.

Needless to say, this rookie found out the hard way on the last day of his trip. On the bright side, at least I’ve got another thing to do when next I’m in Berlin!

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August 31, 2011
Brandenburg Gate It is at the top of every tourist’s “must do” list and is obviously an impressive monument, but what I found most interesting is that the Brandenburg Gate was stuck in the middle of No Man’s Land, between the eastern and western walls that divided Berlin, for years until the Wall finally came down in 1989. It astounds me to think that something so iconic and visible remained just out of reach to East Berliners and West Berliners alike.

Brandenburg Gate

It is at the top of every tourist’s “must do” list and is obviously an impressive monument, but what I found most interesting is that the Brandenburg Gate was stuck in the middle of No Man’s Land, between the eastern and western walls that divided Berlin, for years until the Wall finally came down in 1989.

It astounds me to think that something so iconic and visible remained just out of reach to East Berliners and West Berliners alike.

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August 31, 2011
The Token Tourist It’s become a ritual for me take these “token tourist” shots at every landmark I visit around the world… Brandenburg Gate: Check!

The Token Tourist

It’s become a ritual for me take these “token tourist” shots at every landmark I visit around the world… Brandenburg Gate: Check!

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August 31, 2011
Holocaust Memorial I’m the first to admit that I’m not much of a photographer, but I’m pretty proud of this one — is it just me, or does the unique heights of all those columns give the picture a real feeling of depth and texture? The Holocaust Memorial is definitely worth a visit… Slowly meander your way through the rows upon rows of columns and treat yourself to some thinking time.

Holocaust Memorial

I’m the first to admit that I’m not much of a photographer, but I’m pretty proud of this one — is it just me, or does the unique heights of all those columns give the picture a real feeling of depth and texture?

The Holocaust Memorial is definitely worth a visit… Slowly meander your way through the rows upon rows of columns and treat yourself to some thinking time.

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August 31, 2011
Hitler’s Bunker You wouldn’t know it, but this nondescript carpark marks the site of Hitler’s underground bunker, in which he spent his last weeks and ultimately committed suicide as the Allies were closing in and World War II was coming to a close. The site obviously marks a pretty significant place in history, but German authorities decided against doing anything to draw attention, for fear of it becoming a shrine to Neo-Nazis around the world… I think it was a wise decision — the only way you can tell what went on here is the permanent clusters of tourists gathered around one small sign.

Hitler’s Bunker

You wouldn’t know it, but this nondescript carpark marks the site of Hitler’s underground bunker, in which he spent his last weeks and ultimately committed suicide as the Allies were closing in and World War II was coming to a close.

The site obviously marks a pretty significant place in history, but German authorities decided against doing anything to draw attention, for fear of it becoming a shrine to Neo-Nazis around the world… I think it was a wise decision — the only way you can tell what went on here is the permanent clusters of tourists gathered around one small sign.

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August 31, 2011
Topographie des Terrors On the lot where the Gestapo and SS headquarters once stood now lies the Topography of Terror, a museum which chronicles some of the atrocities that were committed under the Nazi regime.

Topographie des Terrors

On the lot where the Gestapo and SS headquarters once stood now lies the Topography of Terror, a museum which chronicles some of the atrocities that were committed under the Nazi regime.

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August 31, 2011
Berlin Wall This section of the Wall is just in front of Topography of Terror. Start at one end and work your way down the plaques - the stories, old photos and other information are incredible.

Berlin Wall

This section of the Wall is just in front of Topography of Terror.

Start at one end and work your way down the plaques - the stories, old photos and other information are incredible.

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August 31, 2011
Checkpoint Charlie I know that everyone who visits Berlin will still come to this site, but if you ask me, Checkpoint Charlie is an unexciting and over-commercialised tourist trap. Sure, take your happy snap… But if you are going to spend any real time here, then better to devote it to some of the adjoining information sites — the history of tension and confrontations between Eastern and Western border guards is pretty interesting.

Checkpoint Charlie

I know that everyone who visits Berlin will still come to this site, but if you ask me, Checkpoint Charlie is an unexciting and over-commercialised tourist trap.

Sure, take your happy snap… But if you are going to spend any real time here, then better to devote it to some of the adjoining information sites — the history of tension and confrontations between Eastern and Western border guards is pretty interesting.