My vacation to Berlin commenced with a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL) for $1,166 and a ride via taxi to Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity Berlin. Because I got there an hour and a half earlier than the intended check-in time, I dropped off my luggage at the Aparthotel and walked 5 minutes up the street to view and take pictures at Checkpoint Charlie, one of the most famous historical symbols of the Cold War and one of the three checkpoints of the Berlin Wall. Once I finished taking pictures, exploring the area and grabbing a quick bite to eat, I finally checked into my room at the Aparthotel. I was blown away with the set-up of the apartment. Believe me, I’ve stayed at some amazing hotels before so for me to be impressed is saying a lot. The Aparthotel had more of a contemporary feel to it. The open design with brighter colors gives the travelers that at-home feel, rather than an actual hotel.
Because I got off to a late start on the first day, the rest of the evening was filled with taking pictures at special landmarks and tourist hot spots like the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate and then shopping at the Berlin Mall. Luckily, both the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg gate were within walking distance of the Aparthotel. Seeing the Berlin Wall was a sobering experience because part of the original wall is still there along with a museum documenting the different stages and points in history. There are also memorials to those who died trying to escape through the death zone. Having already studied its crippling history, this poignant memorial meant more to me than a regular tourist attraction. After leaving the Berlin Wall, I walked about fifteen minutes more to see the Brandenburg gate. At this point, it was past sunset so the Gate was completely illuminated. There were crowds surrounding the area everywhere, but luckily the area was spacious enough for everyone to get a good picture in front of the landmark.
Pro tip: When taking pictures at this neoclassical building at night, you’ll want someone to photograph you at a lower angle so the lighting won’t throw off the picture.
On my walk back to the hotel I stopped by the Berlin Mall to do some last-minute shopping. This three-story mall not only has international and national brands represented but more than enough options for food at the top level of the building ranging from Burger King to restaurants with more classic German cuisines like currywurst. After being at the mall for about an hour, I went back to the Aparthotel to relax, but it didn’t take long for my craving of warm and savoury to set in. One of my subscribers asked me to visit the Pho Restaurant so I took this opportunity to dine there. It’s a quaint little out-of-the-way restaurant with a German feel in the decor, but definitely delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
On the second day of Berlin, I spent the majority of the day at Museum Island, located in the heart of the city. I bought the ticket that included admission to 5 museums:
Pergamonmuseum, Neues Museum, Altes Museum, Bode Museum, and Alte Nationalgalerie. The art sculptures, paintings, displays and artifacts were breathtaking. There was also an art festival outside with local artists displaying their work. Along with the art, there were several booths to purchase food and drink so it was easy to be able to spend nearly an entire day here. On the last day of Berlin, I walked around the city to take pictures of the scenery and then went to Berlin Fernsehturm also known as the Berlin TV Tower. I got the fast lane ticket for €21.50 so that I wouldn’t have to wait up to 2 hours for the normal queue. With the fast lane ticket that I bought, the line was only a 15-minute wait. The best part about this excursion is that travelers can practically see from the East to the West of Berlin through the glass as well as some famous landmarks. Being able to eat inside the restaurant sphere for a full 360 view of the city was an added bonus!
Berlin is a city with a lot of history and so much to see and explore. If you’re into museums and historical landmarks, this is your place. It’s also the perfect picture taking destination, and it has shops around every corner with food or souvenirs or brand named stores. Being bored isn’t really an option here, because there’s so much to do and everyone is out and about at all hours of the day and night. The capital of Germany definitely did not disappoint.
Full price breakdown for Berlin: Round Trip airline ticket from RDU to TXL- $1,166 Uber from airport to hotel- €38.60 ($43) Stay at Aparthotel at StayCity- €210 ($233.95) Restaurant near Checkpoint Charlie- €14 ($15.60) Currywurst at Berlin mall- €9 ($10.03) Taxi to Pho Bar Berlin- €18.09 ($20.16) Pho Bar Berlin- €19.87 ($22.15) Taxi from Pho Barr Berlin to Aparthotel- €18.09 ($20.16) Taxi to Museum Island- €9 ($10.03) Museum Island ticket- €18 ($20.05) Food at Museum Island- €15 ($16.71) Taxi from Museum Island to Aparthotel- €10 ($11.14) Taxi to Berlin TV Tower- €11 ($12.26) Berlin TV Tower- €21.50 ($23.95) Restaurant Sphere- €26 ($28.97) Taxi from Berlin TV Tower to Aparthotel- €11 ($12.26)
Total price: €449.15 ($1,666.42)
In closing, it cost the White T-Shirt Guy €449.15 (euros) $1,666.42 (dollars) to spend a weekend in Berlin and so can you.
Thanks for sharing! I’m spending my birthday weekend in Berlin. Have you experienced “Tropical Island ?”
Love this!!!
Lonnie this is wonderful. Never thought of going to Berlin. But u make the trip sound sooo exciting and relaxing. Thanks for the pointers if eva in my lifetime I would go therr.
Awesome-sauce! I’d love to travel 2-3 times a year. Germany is one place I hope to visit one day. I also love visiting museums and learning cultural history.