Berlin home to the Brandenburg Gate, the old gateway to the city and now the new capital of a re-united Germany. Since re-unification Berlin has changed dramatically with a gradual transition of the 'old' east to match the 'new' west. General redevelopment work since the war, such as the new Reichstag (House of Parliament), has helped put Germany at the forefront of modern architecture. Berlin can also boast a wealth of cultural interests with excellent theatre, opera and dining.

Cheap flights to Berlin are usually easy to come by, especially if you don't mind travelling out of commercial business hours and staying over a Saturday night on an excursion fare.

Shopping:

Berlin has many international stores as well as some famous German names. As you would expect of this major European capital, you can buy almost anything. There are centres and malls dotted around the city all offering quality shopping.

Recommended Stores - KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) said to be Europe's largest store (on a par with Harrods). Try Potsdamer Platz, Berlin's new centre with over 120 shops and 20 cinemas, the Trodel-Und - Kunstmarkt (flea and Art Markets) very much like Portobello Road, or Winterfeldtplatz Markt (Wed/Sat 8 am to 3 pm) Many Berliners shop here on Saturdays making it a day out by dining at the local bars and cafes. A favourite is the Arabian snack-bar Habibi - well known falsfel king.
Opening Times - 9.00 to 18.30 hrs Mon - Fri, 9.00 - 14.00 Sat, Sun closed.

Recommended Entertainment:

Berlin is truly a cultural city as well as being one of all-round 24 hr entertainment and nightlife. Check local information for shows and films.

Theatre/Opera - International shows and stars, as well as traditional entertainment and German opera.

Bars - Kopier Bar, Urbanstrasse 113 (Kreuzberg) Mon - Sat 10.00 - 22.00 hrs. Have your own personnel CD made (bring along a blank) at DM31.50 for 60 min recording whilst enjoying a beer or orange juice. Try the Bars - Kopier Bar, Urbanstrasse 113 (Kreuzberg) Mon - Sat 10.00 - 22.00 hrs. Have your own personnel CD made (bring along a blank) at DM31.50 for 60 min recording whilst enjoying a beer or orange juiceete Ostzone, Auguststrasse 92, Mitte (Tel 030-283 914 40), daily frohrsberuhigm 14.00 hrs. An "eastalgic" beer cellar with original post-socialist trappings. Presented behind a tumble down facade with crumbling walls, the weird seating is in the shape of bisected Trabbi's ( Trabbant - a foul smoking East German car with body constructed out of cardboard). Broker's Bier Borse (Broker's Beer Exchange), Schiffbauerdamm 8 Mitte (Tel; 030-308 722 93), serves breakfast from 8.00 hrs daily (Sun closed). All types of drinks and beverages available. Verkehrsberuhigte Ostzone, Auguststrasse 92, Mitte (Tel 030-283 914 40), daily from 14.00 hrs. An "eastalgic" beer cellar with original post-socialist trappings. Presented behind a tumble down facade with crumbling walls, the weird seating is in the shape of bisected Trabbi's ( Trabbant - a foul smoking East German car with body constructed out of cardboard). Broker's Bier Borse (Broker's Beer Exchange), Schiffbauerdamm 8 Mitte (Tel; 030-308 722 93), serves breakfast from 8.00 hrs daily (Sun closed). All types of drinks and beverages available.

Pubs - Try Berlin's oldest pub, 'Zum Nussbaum' (Am Nussbaum 3). or Klo (Loo), Leibnizstr, 57 in Berlin-Charlottenburgh - a strange pub, Enter at your own risk.

Adult - Berlin has always been renowned for its sex shows and escort bars. Try 'Mon Cherie', one of the long established sex shows in the city centre. If you don't want to join in, don't sit too near the stage!
Recommended Eating Out -

* Hakesche, Hofe Rosenthaler Strasse in Berlin-Mitte. Eight inter-linked courtyards from the turn of the century with a variety of cultural venues, restaurants and small shops -. a busy, trendy place, especially in the evenings.

* Oranieburgger Strasse - take a stroll to this equivocal sector of town, a red light district and cultural centre. Tacheles (Oranieburgger Str. 54-56) boasts trendy restaurants, good places to drink, such as Obst Et Gemuse (Oranieburgger Str. 49) and Cafe Orange ( Oranieburgger Str. 32). In the Restaurant Oren ( Oranieburgger Str. 28 ) try the kosher specialities and vegetarian food.

* Heckers Deeler - situated in the hotel of the same name and noted for its traditional German cuisine, such as Schweinehaxe (boiled pig's knuckle).

* General - You'll find a wide range of national and international restaurants (Italian, Greek, Chinese etc). Local beer specialality: Berliner Weisse mit Schuss (local wheat lager beer with either Raspberry or Woodruff Syrup).