Anyone Been To Berlin?

[Dimplenose]

We've just booked a city break to Berlin for me, DH, DS(16) and DD(13). DS is very keen on 20th century history and DD wants to see the panda at the zoo but I wondered if anyone had any other recommendations of things to do there with teenagers. (We've already discovered that there is a branch of Tony Romas there.)

Thanks,
Libby

 

[Goofyish]

Try this site:

http://www.berlin-tourist-information.de/index.en.php

or

http://www.berlin.de/english/

or

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/germany/berlin/

 

[Dimplenose]

Thanks Tim, I'd only found one of those sites before.

Anyone else with teenage specific info?

Libby

 

[The GREEK!]

is that in germany?sorry never been there!

 

[Minniespal]

is that in germany?

 

[Kilted_Yank]

I'm afraid that my experiences in Berlin date back to the cold war (the mid 80's)... as I was a young Marine in those dys, I am sure that my activities probably aren't what you'd want for your kids.

 

[mikki.young]

I went the year the wall came down so a lot will have changed since then. There are some lovely buildings to look at and pretty good shopping streets. The zoo is excellent. Probably worth doing a city tour and then you can look more at places you find of interest.

 

[irongirlof12]

my DH recommends the 'checkpoint Charlie' museum, and says the park is pretty good as well, has more than our regular parks do!

 

[jjpenguin]

Go to the bear pit, it's just behind the Funkturm (the TV tower you can go up for a great view) and they have Berlin bears in the middle of the city

There is supposed to be a great club scene It is a very happening city (I was there last year for the WK). Lots of shopping. There's the Sony centre in the middle of town where they film live tv etc.

It's really hot at the moment, so check the weather before you go. there are floating swimming pools in the river Spree. They also do river cruises which could be nice.

 

[Dimplenose]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. DD and I definitely want to visit the zoo, Checkpoint Charlie is a must too. I hadn't heard of the bear pit but we'll look out for it when we visit the TV Tower. As for clubs, well DD is only 13 so perhaps not.

It certainly looked like it would be an interesting destination but I'm having trouble getting my head around the guide book.

Libby

 

[jjpenguin]

A lot of the hotels have great free books with what to do and see. The zoo is a bit hit and miss. Some very nice exhibits and some that are old fashioned "collections" - 10 different types of monkeys in a row, that type of thing.

The underground and trams are a great way of getting round the city and it's not too big.

 

[Pootle]

The Norman Foster designed dome to the Reichstag is a must in my opinion (it's very close to the Brandenburg Gate). Great views of the city as you take the spiral walkway inside. Biggest tip is to go very early to avoid the queues that soon build up. It's free to go in, but as you would expect for the seat of Parliament, the security is tight.

We booked breakfast in the restaurant at the base of the dome, and this was a great success with my 14 year old nephew.

Another thing I would recommend is a guided bus tour when you first arrive as this helps you to get your bearings and decide what you would like to revisit.

 

[Dimplenose]

Are the bus tours good? We did one in paris and wish we hadn't bothered as with being stuck in traffic and long waits for busses when we did get off we had very little time to actually see anything.

Libby