Berlin may sound very popular to you but there is some information that you may miss when visit it. And Spreewald, I guess most of you have never heard about. So let’s figure them out.
I don’t know how you find it but I love Berlin, an international but also historic, active, artistic and beautiful city. I have visited Berlin twice, once in winter and once in summer. You may think that it won’t look nice in winter. But actually both have their own beauty. In winter, Berlin is like an arrogant but elegant lady but in summer it’s like an energetic, active and colorful girl. So if you are wondering if you should visit Berlin in winter, don’t hesitate!
You have been to Berlin and wonder why there are so many status of bear there? We did. That’s because the bear is the symbol of Berlin. Although there are many theories of why the bear is the symbol of Berlin, but none really explains why a bear. However, there are living “city bears” in the middle of the city, in Köllnischen Park. They live in what is called “the bear pit” (Bärenzwinger). Remember to take your kids there for a visit.
Do you recognize the place in the photo? For people who learn German or watch German TV may know but the rest may not. It’s Paul-Löbe-Haus. You can see this view on DW-TV regularly. I learnt Germany before so I watch DW-TW sometimes. And it’s interesting to visit the place and we have to exclaim “Ah yes, it’s the one”. It’s next to the German Parliament so you may have pass it but didn’t pay attention.
Have you visited the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe? It’s also called Holocaust Memorial, a memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It is composed of 2711 rectangular concrete blocks, laid out in a grid formation, the monument is organized into a rectangle-like array. This allows for long, straight, and narrow alleys between them, along which the ground undulates. Though it’s resemblance to a cemetery, it provides very artistic photo shots. You can check them out on Google because mine is not artistic at all.
If you are going to visit Tiergarten park, don’t be panic when you encounter the naked world there. Gautier was in his sudden surprise and couldn’t gather his words to speak for some minutes.
Many people know the Museum Island in Berlin but not many know the Jewish Museum there. I was a big fan of it instead of the Museum Island. It’s very well-organized, creative and informative for all types of age. Don’t miss it!
Have you ever heard of Berliner Unterwelten? It’s a tour of underground taking you through WWII air raid shelters and tunnels used to smuggle people out of East Germany. This is a very unique experience because it provides you with a strange feeling to come into a dark, half-blasted bunker, see parts of stairways and cables hanging out of the wall and walk through rubble in between holes that go several meters down into the ground to experience how it must have felt when the situation was for real. So don’t miss it out!
If you are into art, Berlin can serve you well. You can see a lot of street arts around and take a look at Haus Schwarzenberg Street Art Alley for its best.
If you want to have a view over the city with sunset and some drink, Klunkerkranich is the best place for it. It’s located on the top floor of the shopping center Neukölln Arcaden with charming environment and direct view to the TV tower. It provides good price and family friendly in summer as well.
About 100km south-east of Berlin is Spreewald Biosphere Reserve which is recognized by UNESCO in 1991. This is the name given to cultivated landscapes which deserve special protection due to their unique flora and fauna, and which help to preserve the ecosystems and genetic diversity. It is a beautiful, unique landscape.
There are many activities we can do here such as picnic, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, cycling and swimming. Don’t worry about the water. It’s checked every week by the authority.
And here in Spreewald, we figured out another usage of our fishing rod. That was picking up pears. There was a pear tree on the road. When we arrived, a lot of birds fled from the tree. I thought this tree must provide very good fruits. And I was right, its fruits had the best taste ever.
Spreewald is home to one of the two recognized minorities in Germany, the Sorbs with their unique culture. Many old, traditional farmhouses along the waterways offer beautiful sights.
And here do not miss to try the large variety of pickled cucumbers (cornichons), horseradish, linseed oil and "Sauerkraut" - that is what the region is famous for. Pickled cucumbers are available sour, with herbs, with garlic, with mustard - the choices are almost infinite.
So Berlin and Spreewald, which are familiar but actually they are not.
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