We first went to Berlin in 2011, mainly for the Christmas markets. After visiting various other markets in different countries we just couldn’t quite compare them to Berlin. We were so taken with the atmosphere, the people and the places that we decided to return again this year. We spent the majority of our time exploring the Christmas markets of Alexander Platz, Rotes Rathaus, Potsdamer Platz and the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt. Even the Grinch would have a hard time avoiding the festive spirit at any of these markets. They are full of people from all over the world, catching up with friends, eating all kinds of delicious food and mostly indulging in at least a few mugs of glühwein.
We must have eaten our way through most of the food on offer at the markets. Bratwurst, Frikadeller, sliced and fried potatoes, crêpes with apfelmus, baked apples and of course currywurst, to name but a few.
As well as overindulging on anything in sight, we tried to visit much of the cultural sights that are everywhere you turn in the city. Berlin has such a sad but fascinating history which can be quite difficult to get your head around in only 4 days. What we admire so much about the city is that all is laid bare for you to see. Scars of the past are scattered across buildings and over the ground all around you. Nothing is hidden or excused but serves rather as a warning to never to return to such times and as a sign of the progress the city has made. It is now a vibrant and exciting place to be and the people of Berlin are welcoming and warm.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so I shall stop singing Berlin’s praises and let the photographs tell you the rest. There are many more on my instagram page so please take a look
Live. Learn. Love.
Laura
xX.
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