It happened to us: We are in Berlin and just feel tired. Is it spring fatigue? A coming of age? Or is it (much more simply) a lack of sleep? For sure, the world’s largest travel trade show ITB Berlin has totally worn us out over a 72-hours long “trade show marathon”. Check out what we have learned, networked and shared in my wrap-up of ITB: “Of Bloggers, Book Projects And A Boosting Network Society”. The marathon was certainly worth it, somehow. But now, it’s time for the weekend. On a Friday night, Berlin nightlife calls and what do we answer?
Tired. We are happy, but just so tired. Maybe we have just become old?? Janett, Monique and I look at each other and start laughing. The comfy hug of our bedroom couch is way more tempting than those of possible strangers in Berlin bars, anyway. Sorry guys! 😀
The next morning, however, we have a good idea. The sun is shining and we make our way to Tempelhof airfield- a former airport right inside the city of Berlin!
Will this be a good idea?! It is a one-off attraction for sure: A large hole is gaping right inside the German capital city. It is the Tempelhofer Feld, an area several square kilometres large and once the city’s central airport but now taken off service. I still feel a little bit dazed, wrapped in a cosy embrace of the exceptionally warm spring sun, while our friend Monique is about to explain that many sights are given funny odd nicknames here in Berlin. At the Platz der Luftbrücke square, the monument of war is being nicknamed “lobster claw” – Hummerkralle. We also find a “Würstchenbude” sausage bin, but it is for dog poo. They do have their own sense of humour here in Berlin, don’t they?
I smile, yawning for the fresh air and squint at the lovely warm spring sun. What a beautiful morning! We have yet to see what more is waiting for us round the corner ..
Berlin’s “lobster claw” at the Platz der Luftbrücke square against a perfect blue spring sky in Berlin.
No kidding: The (in)famous “Würstchenbude” dog poo bin of Berlin.
Together with my friends, we are able to fight spring fatigue in turn for some happy moments together at Tempelhofer Feld.
A special tour called “Hidden Corners” is what you can do at Tempelhof Airfield. I really recommend it, last but not least for the dry humour of our funny guide!
If you walk up the former “Zentralflughafen Tempelhof“, head out to your right and you will find the passageway to the visitor centre. Guided tours in several languages take place regularly, we are able to join up with a group that has just started (€ 13,- per person). It leads us past the former departure & arrival halls and down into all those “hidden” corners of what used to be, a bunker during the Cold War period. I shiver: Hard to imagine the sheer dimensions of some 10.000 rooms and more than 300.000 square metres that cover the entire building mile (yes, it is that big). Every now and then, we make out graffiti on the walls “in order to pass the time while people had to hide in here from bombings during the war. Later, the Americans built entire squash rooms in here, devised archives for films and established a bug-proof command centre.” Quite unbelievable, the wealth of information (and details) we are given on this tour!
Walking across Berlin Tempelhof former airport gives you a sense of dimension that is unique for the entire city.
I recommend you take a guided tour: It makes history come alive through vivid and personal storytelling, and allows you to get a better impression of the past understanding why and how the building is there today.
There is even a former US Airforce plane of display for visitors these days. In times when boarding a plane has become as normal as boarding a bus, it is a strange sight to see an ordinary plane like this built into a museum.
One of the strongest visuals of my tour: The former bunker room where people went into hiding at times of bombings during the Cold War period.
This, too, is quite an image: We are all looking at an aerial shot of Berlin Tempelhof during the 1980s, a time where the airport was highly busy securing the supplies for what used to be West Berlin.
Last but not least, we find ourselves in the bug-proof command centre of the Americans during wartimes …
… Monique and Janett certainly prefer the warm sunshine over too many cellars and past horror stories …
… and so do I after a while, though I am a big fan of history and explaining the present through the past: Love these flowers on our first spring walk in Berlin.
“Long live the local Berlin bars”. 😀
Among the culinary highlights of Berlin, we recommend you try Samowar (Russian) and Kimchi Princess (Korean). Also, combine the first with a lovely visit of Charlottenburg Palace …
Now, dear readers, I am also a 100% back on track! Food tickles my senses, having published well over 200 travel articles here focusing on “Gourmet Travel“. Yum! If good food is moreover complimented by the nice company of friends, or the visit of an exceptional cultural heritage site, then gourmet travel is what we have. Charlottenburg Palace indeed is such a site, offering a truly romantic “herstory” thanks to the owner Sophie Charlotte. She regularly invited well known artists, composers and philosophers to her palace, entertaining best relations with the nobility of her time all across Europe. The large parklands have been designed with Versailles in mind, many rooms are still heavily furnished in past splendour. The palace looks back on an eventful 300-year-history, with today’s Russian restaurant Samowar offering a welcome lunch break after a long visit. Finish your mealtime by ordering “Samowar Tea”: Instead of simple cups, they carry out a complete Russian tea set including cookies, biscuits and jam as well as beautifully carved cup holders! What a pleasant surprise – and a welcome dessert at the same time!
Off we go on our culinary travels through Berlin: Kimchi Princess restaurant near the underground station Kottbusser Tor offers top Korean cuisine. All tables are booked until at least 10.00 p.m. so make sure you book in advance …
… which is exactly what we did: Tasty Korean dumplings complimented by lots of spiced vegetables are served to us.
What a lovely tea ceremony at Samowar restaurant in Berlin-Charlottenburg! Main course tip: Try the beautiful bliny savory pancakes as well as the elk steak – it is yummy!
Just across the street from Samowar restaurant, you will find Charlottenburg Palace. A charming “little place”, about 10 times smaller than its big sister Versailles near Paris!
The park as well as the courtyard are always open for visitors …
… we decide to take a romantic walk in the spring park after our visit of the palace …
… which is really worth your while, including lots of information through guided tours or audio guides that we had …
… while finishing our trip here at the lake. What a nice start into spring right here in Berlin!
Keen to see more? Check out the following photo album for more impressions about Berlin as well as this year’s ITB travel trade show: