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

...) she was still nursing, and they are still living in Yorkshire, and have a son Christopher. 1978 I had a holiday in Germany, with friends, and as well as touring around Germany, I took another look at West Berlin, by now the wall has been erected (1961) a lot of West Berlin had been rebuilt. A new opera house “Deutsche oper” had been built, the new National gallery and Philharmonic hall were built in 1963. Berlin 1992 With all good intentions, we were going back to Berlin at the end of the 1980’s after the wall was taken down, but what with one thing and another, never made it, however on this visit, I flew to Tegel airport, one of Berlins three airports, and stayed at a friends house about 5 kilometres away, I saw vast changes, not only in the West now but so much in East Berlin, new buildings had sprung up every where, Berlin was once... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, plenty to do and see, shopping!
Disadvantages: Not enough to make a long trip

...Berlin isn't one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, or even in Germany, and at first glance it's easy to see why. Much of the city, particularly the East, resembles a building site, and it doesn't have the attractiveness of many other German cities (Munich and Heidelberg spring to mind). That said, there's a lot for Berlin to be proud of. It has some superb museums and galleries (those around the old Wall are particularly moving), an excellent Zoo and well tended parkland away from the traffic. I personally recommend a trip out to the Olympic Stadium (take the U-Bahn), which is incredibly impressive. Accomodation varies from bargain student hotels to five star and although Germany is hardly renowned for it's food, the many restaurants will cater for all tastes (if all else fails, hit the McDonalds). Nightlife... Read review

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Advantages: A magnificent city...too many good things to mention
Disadvantages: Not many..we just didn't have enough time to see it all.

...We have just returned from our first trip to Berlin, where we were invited to report on the shooting of the video for Rick Astley’s comeback single. We had absolutely no idea where we would be staying and it was only when we landed that we found out that we were staying in a 5 Star hotel, with the bill being paid by Rick himself. This is not really relevant to the subject of this opinion, but I just wanted to name drop!! Here is some general information about Berlin for anyone planning a visit. CURRENCY. Until December 2001 DM and EURO are both official currencies in Germany but the everyday payments are mostly based on DM. The official exchange rate between DEM and EURO is fixed to 1,95583 DM = 1 EURO. From January of 2002 the EURO is the only currency that will be used. For working out things into pounds the current exchange... Read review

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Advantages: A wonderful city
Disadvantages: None

...(Mmmmmm!). KaDeWe is quite expensive but I think some items were well worth the money. Day 4 turned out to be just as tiring as the previous days but it was still very enjoyable! :-) ~ Day 5 ~ We flew home on day five but the flight was quite late and the hotel looked after our luggage so we had another day to explore. Not far from our hotel was a Holocaust Memorial. It was opened in May 2005 after many disagreements over its design and outright opposition from many Germans, including some Jews. The memorial consists of 2,711 gunmetal grey reinforced concrete slabs. Each slab is positioned uniquely on a grid. It is the size of several football fields and lies in the heart of Berlin between the Brandenburg Gate and the site of Adolf Hitler's bunker. Visitors can enter from all four sides, day or night, and wander on their own through... Read review

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Advantages: A look at alternative history. Well researched.
Disadvantages:

...'Fatherland' is a fascinating look at alternative history. It's a murder mystery set in Nazi Germany of 1964, when Xavier March, a Berlin police detective, is called to the scene of a body being dragged out of the water. As he investigsates further, he's joined by an American female jounralist, who's is there to cover the forthcoming US President's visit to Berlin to seek detente, and together they discover and unravel the Third Reich's darkest secret. In this world, Germany won the Second World War, and Berlin is preparing for Hitler's 75th birthday. Harris describes how Berlin looks based on actual architectural plans. The book was turned into a good but not great film starring Rutger Hauer and Miranda Richardson. Alternative history is always fun, and if you like speculation, then this book is enjoyable for that.... Read review

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Advantages: Great hotel and well located
Disadvantages: None really

...About the hotel: The Berlin Marriott hotel is a brand new hotel that was opened in 2004 and is located in the Potsdamer Platz in the former eastern side of the city of Berlin. This is a thriving and upcoming part of the new city that offers brand new buildings and modern facilities juxtaposed against remnants of pre-1990s Germany. The hotel offers many of the features of a 4/5-star American chain hotel and would appropriately suit business or leisure travellers and families travelling to Berlin. The hotel is well located and is approximately 11km from Tegel airport, with a taxi ride taking around 20 minutes and the fare costing approximately 18 euros. The nearest U-bahn (underground station) is only 2 minutes away by foot, and the hotel is within close proximity to Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, and the Brandenburg gate... Read review

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Advantages: friendly people, great nightlife, great history/attractions, great transport system
Disadvantages: some may find Kreuzberg intimidating, Kottbusser crime rate is a deterrent

...This review of Berlin is based on my experience whilst on tour with my band. It focuses on the people in Berlin as well as the city. It is a general overview of my experience, not a restaurant or hotel review. BERLIN FOR PUNKS & BANDS My band have played in Berlin twice now and both times been received with open arms by old friends and strangers. We travelled to Berlin first of all in May 06 originally not knowing anyone or expecting anything. We knew we'd be meeting a friend of a contact from myspace but that was it. The venue 'Wild At Heart' in Kreuzberg it turned out was great with good music, good PA and sound staff and punters. The management there provided us weary touring few with free beer and a decent backstage area and a free meal, with a vegan option if requested. It is here we met our myspace friend's friend. His... Read review

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Advantages: central location, excellent beer, friendly staff, clean and modern
Disadvantages: no leisure facilities

.... Everywhere we went everyone could speak very good English the S-Bahn and U-Bahn network is very easy to understand - You buy a ticket on the platform and get on the train - instructions are available in English on the machines - press the union jack flag. Don't be tempted to not buy a ticket as plain clothes police appear in the carriages and check tickets. By the way - if you visit Berlin in the winter - a good coat, hats, scarf and gloves are a must - it is very cold. Overall this hotel is excellent for the business on leisure user - with central location, excellent beer, clean and modern.... Read review

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Advantages: Central location, friendly, clean, comfy, cheap
Disadvantages: hard to get a room during peak times (love parade /f*ck parade/ oktoberfest etc)

...Circus - The Hostel I decided to go to Berlin for the Love Parade around Easter time and knowing this would be a very busy time in the city, decided to try and book accommodation as early as possible. I emailed several youth hostelly type places but the only place willing to accept a booking so far in advance was ‘The Circus Hostel’ so we ended up reserving beds here. **Location** The attractions of Berlin are highly centralised between Unter den Linden and Charlottenberg. All hotels in this region are way out of any backpackers budget. However, the Circus Hostel is still within easy walking distance of Alexander Platz (and the ‘Fernsehturm’) and directly opposite the Volksbühne (The People’s Theater - site of this ) on Rosa Luxemburg Platz. I believe most flights from the UK land at the ‘Tegel... Read review

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Advantages: location, wow factor, spa facilities
Disadvantages: hard to be casual in here!

...we arrived on a easy jet flight, a bargain at £7.49! flew into schonefeld airport. quite easy to get into the centre from here on the shuttle link train, which stops at friedriechstrasse. the hotel is situated on the corner of this street and unter der linden. this is the historic part of berlin with many beautiful buildings, museums, cathedral, opera house all being within walking distance. in the evening it is quiet and you feel very safe in berlin. it is a very quiet city!! lovely restaurants in the squares for an evening meal. the hotel is easy to spot with a huge flag flying above the rooftops! the reception and downstairs lounge area is very grand, with a piano bar, waitress service and gorgeous hot chocolate with cointreau in it, yum!! all berlin's richest seem to be showing off in here in the evenings, you do feel a bit... Read review

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