Destination Review: Berlin

June 30, 2016 | By Linda Smith

On my world-wind tour of Europe last month I had the privilege of staying at the Ritz Carlton, Berlin at Potsdamer Platz 3. What a wonderful hotel and such a perfect location to get around the city. It was walking distance to major sites and easy to catch their subway, called the Untergrundbahn, or underground railway. With our Virtuoso amenities of 85 Euros, I was able to enjoy afternoon tea at the hotel and have breakfast each morning at the Desbosses, which was an original 1875 brasserie from Southern France. The endless options of food were amazing and very delicious. I highly recommend staying at this property… and they had great beds!

Enjoying afternoon tea at the Ritz

I had visited East and West Berlin in 1982 when the wall was still up and the east side looked as if World War II had just ended, so I was thrilled to come back almost 35 years later and experience all the changes. Back then, I had to go through the check point from east to west, which was an unnerving experience, so to visit the site where checkpoint Charlie is now was and nostalgic.

Painted bears can be seen all over the city

There are so many things to do in the city of Berlin and it’s very easy to get around. My three days there was not enough. The thing that was most helpful for me was that most people in the heart of the city spoke English, making it easy when I had questions or was ordering food at restaurants.

I went to see the Reichstag building in Berlin, which has a dome where you can go and look out at the city. You do need to get tickets advance to do it. I saw many people standing in line to get tickets and then wait to go into the dome. They have a restaurant in the building that if you eat lunch there you are able to go up to the dome without waiting in line…great hint for saving time!

A great stop during my tour of Europe!