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Great Cities of Europe
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Great Cities of Europe - Disc 2.iso
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1995-11-30
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<B><F16>BERLIN</F></B>
<B><F14><L7>BASIC INFORMATION</F></B>
<B>Documents Required: </B>United States citizens need only a valid
passport for stays less than three months. EC citizens need either a
passport or national identity card.
<B>American Consulate: </B>4-5 Neustadtische Kirchstrasse, Mitte; 30/ 238-
5174
<B>Currency: </B>The unit of currency is the Deutschmark (DM). East
German currency is no longer valid.
<B>Banks:</B> Banks in Germany are open Monday to Friday 8:30A.M.-1P.M.
and 2:30-4 P.M
<B>Customs: </B>There are no limits on the import or export of currency.
Items intended for personal use may be imported and exported freely.
<B>Climate: </B>Northern Germany has a continental climate, with cold
winters (average 35 degrees from November to February), hot
summers (77 degrees in July). It rains throughout the year, but the best
seasons to visit are spring and early summer.
<B>Tipping: </B>In restaurants and cafes, service charges are usually included
in the check, and the sum is rounded up to the nearest DM. Taxi
drivers expect 10 percent of the fare.
<B>Getting Around: </B>Public Transportation Office,<B> </B>BVG, 188
Potsdamerstrasse; 30/ 216-5088.
<I>By Air:</I>
Berlin-Schonefeld
30/ 6-0910
Formerly the airport of East Berlin. The Airport-Transfer bus, 30/ 216-
5088, runs between Tegel and Schonefeld airports, stopping at
Bahnhof Zoo and other central locations.
Berlin-Tegel
41/ 1-2306
Formerly the main airport of West Berlin. Most major international
airlines use Tegel. Bus 109 links the airport with Budapester Strasse,
stopping at Adenauerplatz, Uhlandstrasse, Kurfeurstendamm, and
Zoologischer Garten station. Allow 30 minutes for the bus journey to
central Berlin.
Berlin-Tempelhof
30/ 6-9510
A small city airport. The U-Bahn station Platz der Luftbreucke is
opposite the airport terminal. Allow 10-15 minutes for the U-Bahn
journey to central Berlin.
<I>By U-Bahn:</I> The U-Bahn (subway), founded in 1896, is the fastest
means of getting around. Trains run from 4:30A.M.-1A.M., and lines U1
and U9 continue throughout the night. Stations are clean and well
designed.
<I>By S-Bahn:</I><B> </B>The S-Bahn (Stadtbahn) elevated railway network was
begun in 1875. The main routes are the Ost-West-Nord-Seud lines,
which intersect at Friedrichstrasse station. The S-Bahn is useful for
getting to outlying districts such as Wannsee, Potsdam, and Kopenick.
Trains normally run at 10-minute intervals from 4:30A.M.-1A.M., and
the S3 line from Charlottenburg to Friedrichstrasse continues
throughout the night.
<I>By Bus:</I> Buses are slower, but useful for reaching remote corners of
the city. Night buses are indicated by a yellow number on a green
background.
<I>By Rail:</I><B> </B>There are four major Berlin stations:
Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten (known as Bahnhof Zoo). Linked to
U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and bus routes. For destinations in the Tiergarten,
Charlottenburg, and Kreuzberg districts.
Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse. Linked to U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and bus routes.
For Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg addresses.
Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Linked to S-Bahn and bus routes, but not the
U-Bahn.
Bahnhof-Lichtenberg. Linked to U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and bus routes.
Some services from Dresden and Leipzig end here.
<I>By Taxi:</I><B> </B>Taxis can be ordered by telephone or hailed at taxi stands.
<I>By Car:</I><B> </B>To drive in Germany, you must have a valid national driver's
license. The legal minimum driving age is 18. Rent cars at Tegel and
Schonefeld airports, and in central Berlin. Payment is almost always
by credit card, and you must show a passport and current driver's
license. Some rental agencies do not allow their cars in Eastern
Europe; check with the rental company before a trip to Prague or
Warsaw.
<B>Postal and Telephone Service: </B>Post offices, labeled <I>postamt</I>, are open
Monday to Friday 8A.M.-6P.M., Saturday 8A.M.-noon. To call Germany
from the United States, dial 011, 49 for Germany, and then local
number, leaving off the initial 0 in the area code. Public telephones
are marked <I>fernsprecher</I>.
<B>Public Holidays: </B>January 1, Easter (Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and
Easter Monday), May Day, Ascension (sixth Thursday after Easter),
Whit Sunday (second Sunday after Ascension), Whit Monday (second
Monday after Ascension), Corpus Christi (first Thursday after Whit
Sunday), Gesetzlicher Feiertag (June 17), Day of German Unity
(October 3), All Saints' Day (November 1), Day of National
Repentance (third Wednesday in November), Christmas Day, and
December 26.
<B>Electric Current: </B>Plugs are standard European, with two round pins
that carry 220V.
<B><F14>Time Line</F></B>
<B>Beginnings of the City</B>
<I>1244</I>
First mention of Berlin in an official document.
<I>1440</I>
Frederick II of the House of Hohenzollern reigns. Berlin is chosen
as the seat of power.
<I>1540</I>
Hohenzollern Palace is built to signify Berlin's importance as a central
court.
<B>Rise to Prominence</B>
<I>1740-1786</I>
Rule of Frederick the Great. Berlin is the seat of Prussian power.
Under Frederick's influence an emphasis is put on learning and
enlightenment.
<I>1756</I>
Seven year war with Austria and Russia. Berlin is invaded.
<I>1806</I>
Napoleon occupies Berlin.
<I>1813-1848</I>
Biedermeier Era and the rise of industrialism. Berlin architecture is
dominated by buildings of Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
<B>International Preeminence</B>
<I>1871</I>
Unification of Germany under Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck.
<I>1890</I>
Berlin's population reaches 2 million.
<I>1888-1918</I>
Rule of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
<I>1890-1914</I>
Period of extreme growth and imperialism. By 1914, Berlin's
population surpasses 4 million.
<I>1914-1918</I>
World War I.
<I>1919-1933</I>
Rule of the Weimar Republic. Sharp inflation caused by reparation
payments.
<B>Nazi Rule</B>
<I>1933</I>
Burning of the Reichstag in February. Nazis seize power.
<I>1936</I>
Berlin hosts the Olympics.
<I>1939-1945</I>
World War II.
<I>1945</I>
April: Hitler attempts to defend Berlin against invading Russian
troops. Berlin surrenders; British, American, and French troops occupy
the western part of the city.
<B> Cold War</B>
<I>1946-1947</I>
Shortages of food and fuel.
<I>1948</I>
Russians cut off road, rail, and communication links to the western
part of Berlin. Berlin Airlift begins, with food and supplies flown in by
British and American planes. Russians abandon their claim to Berlin as
capital of their sector.
<I>1949</I>
Founding of the Federal Republic of Germany. Capital is moved to
Bonn.
<I>1950-1960</I>
Distinctions between West and East German economies are
increasingly dramatic.
<I>1961</I>
Building of the Berlin Wall.
<B>Today</B>
<I>1989</I>
Fall of communist East Germany. Berlin Wall is torn down, signifying
the collapse of communism.
<I>1990-1995</I>
Reunification of West and East Germany.
</L7>
<B><F14><L6>Hotels</F></B>
<B>Schloss-hotel Vier Jahreszeiten $$$</B>
6-10 Brahmsstrasse
30/895-840
Designed by Karl Lagerfeld, who stays here when in Berlin.
<B>Bristol Kempinski $$$</B>
27 Kurfeurstendamm
30/ 884-340, fax 30/ 883-6075
Berlin's most famous hotel, located in the heart of the city.
<B>Charlot $$</B>
17 Giesebrechtstrasse
30/ 323-4051
A family-run establishment near trendy shops and cafes.
<B>Merkur $$</B>
17 Torstrasse
30/ 282-8297
Comfortable and close to many night spots.
<B>Berliner Bar $</B>
124 Freidrichstrasse
30/ 282-9352
Appealing and efficient.
<B>Kastanienhof $</B>
65-66 Kastanienalle
30/ 281-9246
Clean rooms and close to the nightlife at Kreuzberg.
<B><F14>Restaurants</F></B>
<B>Bamberger Reiter $$$</B>
7 Regensburgerstrasse
30/ 244-282
Distinctive nouvelle German cuisine, jacket and tie required.
<B>Restauration 1900 $$$</B>
1 Husemannstrasse
30/ 442-2494
Mediterranean in East Berlin.
<B>Exil $$</B>
44 Paul-Linke-Ufer
30/ 612-7037
Authentic Viennese food at moderate prices.
<B>Merhaba $$</B>
39 Hasenheide
30/ 692-1713
Traditional Turkish, crowded with locals.
<B>Tiergarten Quelle $</B>
482 Stadtbahnbogen
Hearty German fare in huge portions.
</L6>
<B><F14><L1>Sites</F></B>
<B>Botanischer Garten</B>
6 Konigin-Luisestrasse
Berlin's botanical gardens are among the most romantic spots in the
city.
<B>Brandenburger Tor</B> (Brandenburg Gate)
Pariser Platz, Tiergarten
Built as an imposing entrance to the city.
<B>Gedenkstatte Plotzensee</B>
Heuttigpfad, Charlottenburg
30/ 344-3226
The infamous prison, where thousands were killed between 1933-45.
A harrowing glimpse of the Nazi period.
<B>Haus Am Checkpoint Charlie</B>
Friedrichstrasse 44
30/ 251-1031
Checkpoint Charlie was the most volatile of the border posts during
the Cold War.
<B>Museumsinsel</B>
Mitte
Conceived as an island devoted to the arts and sciences. Occupying the
western tip of the Spree island, the complex is comprised of five
buildings, the Altes Museum among them.
<B>Reichstag</B>
Platz der Republik, Tiergarten
30/ 3-9770
Built in 1884-94 as a parliament for the second German Empire.
Gutted by fire in 1933, it has been renovated and houses the reunited
German parliament.
<B>Schloss Charlottenburg</B>
Luisenplatz, Charlottenburg
The palace was built in 1695 as a summer residence for Sophie
Charlotte.
</L1>
<B><F14><L2>Museums and Culture</F></B>
Museums in Germany are normally open Tuesday to Sunday 9A.M.-
5P.M.
<B>Agyptisches Museum </B> (Egyptian Museum)
70 Schlossstrasse, Charlottenburg
30/ 320-91261
An exemplary collection of Egyptian art.
<B>Altes Museum</B>
Lustgarten, Mitte
30/ 203-550
Berlin's oldest museum, built in 1824 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The
main attraction is a collection of postwar international art.
<B>Bauhaus-Archiv</B>
13-14 Klingelhoferstrasse, Tiergarten
Bauhaus teapots from the 1920s, sleek steel chairs, architectural plans,
paintings, and models.
<B>Gemaldegalerie</B> (Picture Gallery)
23 Arnimallee, Dahlem
30/ 8-3011
Included in the enviable collection are Medieval works by
Holbein and Durer.
<B>Kultur-Forum</B>
south of Tiergarten
The group of museums and concert halls on the southern edge of the
Tiergarten was planned as a center of the arts. Among the most
prominent is Philharmonie concert hall.
<B>Skulpturengalerie</B>
23-27 Arnimallee, Dahlem
30/ 83011
Modern sculpture gallery at the Dahlem museum complex.
<B>Pergamon</B>
1-3 Bodestrasse, Mitte
30/ 2035-5444
One of the world's most significant architecture archives.
</L2>
<B><F14><L5>SHOPPING</F></B>
Stores are open Monday to Friday 9A.M.-6P.M., Saturday 9A.M.-1P.M.
and, often, Thursday until 8.30P.M.<B> </B>Visitors are exempt from paying
tax (<I>mehrwertsteuer</I>) on purchases of more than $400; present your
passport at the store and fill out a simple form. To validate the refund,
which is sent to your home address, you must present the paperwork
and goods to customs.
Shop the Kurfeurstendamm (Ku'damm) for a high concentration of
designer boutiques, including Escada, Esprit, Jil Sander, and Gianni
Versace.
<B>Berliner Antique and Flea Market</B>
Under the S-Bahn tracks of Friederichstrasse
Everything is used, everything is a bargain, and everything, in its own
way, is a work of art.
<B>Berlinner Zinnfiguren</B>
88 Knesebeckstrasse
Miniature toy soldiers.
<B>KaDeWe </B>(Kaufhaus des Westens)
21-24 Tauentienstrasse
Berlin's largest and best department store.
<B>Staatliche Porzellan Manufaktur Berlin</B>
26a Kurfurstendamm
Beautiful, delicately designed china.
<B>Marga Scholler Beucherstube</B>
33 Knesebeckstrasse, Charlottenburg
30/ 881-1112
General bookstore with English titles.
</L5>
<B><F14><L3>Children</F></B>
<B>Zoologischer Garten</B>
8 Hardenbergplatz, or 26 Budapester Strasse, Tiergarten
One of the world's biggest and best-kept zoos.
<B>Zitadelle Spandau</B>
Juliusturm, Spandau
30/ 3-3911
One of Berlin's Baroque moated palaces.
<B>Museum Feur Verkehr und Technik</B>
9 Trebbinerstrasse, Kreuzberg
30/ 254-840
For older children on a rainy day. Hands-on exhibits.
<B>Museum Feur Naturkunde</B>
34 Invalidenstrasse, Mitte
30/ 2897-2540
Dinosaur skeletons and precious minerals.
Rent<B> </B>boats at the <B>Tiergarten</B>. <B>Viktoria Park</B> has a waterfall and a small
zoo.
<B><F14>Night Spots</F></B>
<B>Schwarzes Cafe</B>
148 Kantstrasse
See and be seen in this hip bar.
<B>Estoril</B>
11 Vorbergstrasse
A tapas bar.
<B>Metropol</B>
5 Nollendorfplatz
30/ 216-4122
Contemporary music.
<B>Quasimodo</B>
12a Kantstrasse
30/ 312-8086
International jazz talent.
<B>Hebbel Theater</B>
29 Stresemanstrasse, Kreusberg
30/ 251-0144
Avant-garde theater and dance.
</L4>
<B><F14><L4>EXCURSIONS</F></B>
<B>Volkspark Gleinicke</B>
north of Konigstrasse, Zehlendorf
30/ 805-3041
On the old road from Berlin to Potsdam, the Volkspark at Schloss
Glienicke is one of the most tranquil spots on the Havel River.
Glienicke is landscaped with English gardens and vast lawns.
<B>Wannsee</B>
Zehlendorf
An inlet of the Havel river, the Wannsee was famous as a resort area in
the 1800s. Berliners flock to the Wannsee to sun on the longest inland
beach in Europe, the Strandbad Wannsee.
<B>Meuggelsee</B>
Kopenick, southeast Berlin
Lakes and forests lie just beyond the old town of Kopenick. East
Berlin's answer to the Wannsee in the west.
<B>Pfaueninsel</B>
Wannsee
30/ 805-3042
A ferry will take you across the narrow strait to Pfaueninsel (Peacock
Island), where English landscapes by Peter Joseph Lenne and mock
ruins are set among wandering peacocks and sheep.
<B>Potsdam</B>
Park Sanssouci (331/ 969-4202) is this suburb's main attraction. Take
a guided tour of the palace and adjoining follies built for Berlin's
royalty, or wander the French-style gardens. Also visit Schinkel's St.
Nikolaikirche and the Filmmuseum, which documents German cinema
from 1895 to the present.
</L3>
<B><F14><L8>Sunshine Guide to Berlin, Germany</F></B>
<B>Seasons:</B> Berlin has the same four-season year that most of us are
familiar with. Spring (April and May) is the season when the annual
plants start to sprout and the deciduous trees leaf out. Spring weather
alternates between wintry conditions and promises of warmth.
Summer (June through mid-September) is the season of long warm
days and full vegetative growth. Autumn (mid-September through
mid-November) is the season when the annuals die, the deciduous
trees drop their leaves, and the first frosts appear. Winter (mid-
November through March) is the season of vegetative rest, snow, and
cold.
<B>Sunniest Months:</B> May through August. This is when you can
expect to get the sunniest weather of the year. In general, only 38% of
the year's daylight hours will be sunny--from a high of 49% in June, to
a low of 14% in December. Spring and Autumn get the most clear
days, about one day in six or seven. More than half the days in
December and January never see the sun at all. The long summer days are
made even longer by about fifty minutes of twilight before sunrise and the
same after sunset.
<B>Warmest Months:</B> Early June through August. Berlin summers
usually feature warm days (rather than hot) and cool nights. The
hottest actual temperature of the year will be around 91, and will
probably occur in July. Only occasionally during this period will the nights
be hot enough that you will sleep better with some sort of room-cooling.
<B>Coolest Months:</B> January and February. At this time of year,
you can expect frosty mornings on about two-thirds of the days. On
two days out of five, be ready for afternoon temperatures to remain
below freezing the whole day. The coldest temperature of the year will
be around 4°, and will probably occur in February. Snowfalls will
usually total about twenty inches for the season, and the ground is often
snow-covered for days at a time.
<B>Driest Months:</B> March and September. Some 44% of the year's
days will get no measurable precipitation; that is, they will get less
than a hundredth of an inch. March and September will have 63%
such days, whereas November and January will get only 48%. A "dry
day" in the table, however, is one with less than a tenth of an inch--a
more useful measure. It takes at least that much to wet the ground
under the trees.
The summer thundershowers seem to prefer the late afternoon and
early evening, but the rest of the precipitation seems to have no
preferred time of day. In addition, most summer rainstorms are brief.
In contrast, many winter storms--both snow and rain--may persist for
several days.
<B>THINGS TO KNOW:</B> Berlin will often have a distinct "urban heat
island" effect. Under windless and rainless conditions (or near), the
city center will be many degrees warmer than the outlying suburbs.
This is especially noticeable at night and in the winter. Precipitation of
any kind diminishes this effect, and a strong wind will eliminate it
completely. Snow is typically much lighter in the city center, and
melts more quickly.
<I>Weather Copyright 1995 by Patrick J. Tyson, Box 492787, Redding CA 96049.
All rights reserved. </I>
</L8>