4. Berliner Tourismusmesse 2012

As I am ready for new adventures, I felt the need to finish with the updates from previous weeks. One of my big debts was the tour I made two weeks ago at the 4. Berliner Tourismusmesse, organized by Woerlitz, who reminded me when I used their services and sent me a kind invitation for two persons. The invitation included the entrance and a free tour of Berlin, outlining the "criminal history" of the city. The topic was revealed later, when I was already in the cozy Mercedes Benz bus. As I never went on a tour of Berlin I was curious to try it once, and most probably I would not have been interested in such a niche topic. But, after one hour and maybe 20 minutes, I may confess that I enjoyed the idea - with the exception of some ridiculous remarks of the guide about why there are so many English works in the German advertising and on the German streets in general. The tour was in German, for an audience of over 60 yo, but still this is not an excuse for ridiculous remarks. People enjoyed so most probably I was the only one out of common.

The venue was very busy with visitors, most part of them arrived in big groups of over 60. This is one of the reasons why the fair was focused primarily on health tourism, featuring many spa resorts from Germany, Austria or Poland. Among the exhibitors there were hotels, resorts and touristic regions.

The ambiance was friendly, with welcoming guides ready to introduce to your services. Those booking on place were the happy beneficient of substantial fees. The focus was Germany and the German-speaking countries, but there were also displayed interesting offers from Croatia, Turkey, Italy or some Middle Eastern countries. 

For the entertainment, there were lots of drink tasking moments. Wines, local drinks - Becherovka is a German-Czech drink based on herbs - and other Polish spirits. As I didn't try I cannot give any special insights about this activity. But people were smiling and this was important, after all.

Another tasty corner of wine, featuring German wines. As a wine drinker, I prefer the sweet red wines from the Middle East, but the weather conditions decided a different fate for the German wines, that despite my exotic choices are highly appreciated abroad.

If the holiday hopping was too much, some massage was available for curious customers. As usual in public events in Germany, people are not very happy to see an innocent girl with a camera wandering around. 

A honest TV crew was registering the opinions of the participants about the fair and the tourism in Germany and Berlin. In a city without significant industry, tourism represents one of the main assets and one of the most important source of revenue. 

At the end of the fair, the happy winners of a tombola were announced at open stage. Again, relaxed people, looking happy at their colourful leaflets and thinking about their next holiday abroad from home. From many points of view, I fully envy the quiet life of many retired Germans. 

Iceskating at Alexanderplatz

I hate iceskating. I tried only once and I was terrified promising myself that I will never do it again. Aparently, it is among the few promises to myself which I'm keeping religiously. For those in a better mood, Alexanderplatz is offering the occasion of some funny moments.

We visited the place the last Sunday. It was not crowded at all. Shoes were available for rent and many tourists were trying their luck chilling and killing some time.

If I am trying to be as ironic as possible, I would say that iceskating was the missing element at Alexanderplatz.

Wish I had this help when I was their age and curious to iceskate for a little bit (and nothing more).

Visiting Spandau Citadel

Spandau Citadel, one of the most famous touristic attractions of the far Western Berlin, is considered one of the most preserved Renaissance military structure. It was built at the end of the 16th century, as a medieval fort aimed to preserve the town of Spandau, now part of the capital city of Germany. 

You can easily reach Spandau by S-Bahn or UBahn - U7 line. It is a quiet area, with lots of small shops and restaurants.

The citadel was built on an island created by the meeting of the rivers Havel and Spree. It was conquered by Napoleon in 1806 and played an important part during WWII, being used as an element of the strategy of the city defence. It surrended in May 1945 and the area went into the control of the British, after being for a short time occupied by the Red Soviet Army.

The citadel is very well preserved and hosts periodically various cultural events and creative classes - music, handwerk, painting - for children. The fans of Gothic Baroc style from Germany and abroad are reuniting here for various celebrations and concerts. During the Festival of Lights, the citadel is benefiting of special lightening. 

For nature lovers, this is a good spot to visit in any season. The ducks are silently swimming the day and the dogs can enjoy the pleasant walks alongside the rivers. Inside the Citadel, a funny reservation of bats can be visited during the summer.

During the summer, or sunny days, nice natural reflections are projected against the old walls of the Citadel. Given its abundant nature and old walls, the place represent a  nice and interesting spot for photographers. 

The draw bridge used now for tourists to enter the Citadel, used to be the main defence against unwanted attackers. Now, on the other side of the walls you can buy your ticket, visit some touristic attractions, but also eat something at some traditional restaurants offering mostly German food.

 Inside the cital, you can visit a historical museum. Guided audio tours, also in English, are available.

 The nature wasn't harmed by the construction.

A number of 70 medieval Jewish gravestones were discovered in Citadel. The explanation given was that they were hosted and protected against persecution. The graves can be seen by appointment only by calling: 030/354944-212 (gatekeeper) or 030/354944 -297 (administration). Meanwhile, at Weisensee Jewish cemetery, it is said that the citadel was built also by using the stones of a former Jewish cemetery. Still in Spandau, it exists also a Judengasse, sign of a perment Jewish presence in the area. Currently, there are no traces of the Jewish life in Spandau.

 The bridge was reconstructed and redecorated.

 A proof of the New Year Eve's party.

 A quiet walk on the way back from Citadel is a pleasant experience.

Where Havel meets Spree. Or Spree meets Havel.

Waiting for 2012, on Ku'damm

Friday in the afternoon, on Ku'damm, everything was quiet. It was raining/snowing, a bit cold than in the previous days, lots of tourists. Now is probably worse! All I know that in the last 24 hours I had again the feeling of the war only one door away. Nothing serious, though.

Afternoon at Königs Wusterhausen

Autumn is gorgeous this year and it's hard for me to resist the temptation of staying indoors, writing/reading/pitching ideas. Since a couple of weeks I am carefully checking periodically the list of places I haven't seen in Berlin, and today it was the moment of glory of Königs Wusterhausen. It took me 45 minutes by S-Bahn, in a train almost empty, very quiet after Ahrensfelde with passengers over 60 and only one person talking a foreign language: a group of Africans. From Eichwalde, via Zeuthen, Wildau and till the final destination, the view alternated between the red-yellow-brown colours of the autumn leaves from the forests to the orderly blockhouses communist-style. Soon I was in Brandenburg, former part of East Germany.

The two streets I was directed to from the central station were Pushkinallee and Maxim-Gorki-strasse. Every respected locality from the East Germany was having at least one street named after the Russian writer and activist who played an important role in the German literature and not only. As I didn't find any tourist office or maps, I walked around slowly, slowly, for almost 20 minutes. Quiet streets, with quiet houses and parkings. Nothing outrageously elegant: one-storey private houses with gardens and small dogs. Block-houses with old people taking solidary afternoon walks.

The wonderful colours of the autumn in a predominantly nature-oriented town made me think that autumn is a perfect time to visit this small locality - with only 17.363 inhabitants. It was created at the end of the 14th century and its forests rich in wild animals offered various occasions for the counts and princes to gather together and hunt.

If you have enough of the busy life in the city, you can take a quiet walk around the natural parks. Nobody will disturb your time.

Everything is covered by green and autumn fits the best the sober architecture of the houses. The Evangelical Church was built in 1693. You can also find here a Catholic Church.

The building of the fire department, created in 1888. Today it was a quiet day.

Even though you will not find expensive and luxury shops, if you live here you don't need to worry too much. There are many bio-shops as well. The one I visited is very close to the Central Station and you can find there good healthy and pricey products - from food to wines and cosmetics. If you take a careful look you will find as well leaflets with important cultural events taking place in and out of the locality - in Berlin and Potsdam.

With the exception of my humble and extravagant presence (I was the only tourist-looking person around during my 4-hour adventure), all those on the streets were having some things to do. I saw kids only around 3pm, when the school was over. 

There are many Chinese shops, with cheap products as well. If you can stand the difficult smell of some of the products, you will be rewarded with a good deal. 

On an honorable street you can buy condoms for 4 Euro. The machine is installed in the front of a former club.

You will find many other local shops (including remains of the former Communist shopping culture): jewelries, Esprit clothes, Antiques. Nothing to miss.

 As in Potsdam, the royal crown of Brandenburg, in my opinion, you will find here many passionate owners of boats.

 A nice corner from an area with high concentration of pubs, restaurants, shops and offices.

 A curry is neighboring a Greek restaurant. I saw also an Indian place, a Vietnamese restaurant, a Chinese and a Turkish imbiss (fast-food). The prices were good, but the places were empty (too early, maybe, for eating out)

 Icecream is always cool.

 A biergarden welcoming its guests from the end of the 19th century.

 An example of local flavour and colour.

 This is the cutest Town Hall I ever seen. It looks like an appartment house with many flowers at the windows. It is situated in the vicinity of the Stadtbibliothek, a sign that here people are interested in the books too. There are also around 4 bookstores in the city, displaying books in German, travel guides and books about the local history.

 I spotted a couple of small and nice hotels and pensions where you can spend a quiet night while on the road.

Every locality is having its local cultural hero. In our case, it is Theodor Fontane who visited the city in 1862. Here is the place where he stopped by and a public square is bearing his name. The restaurant is pretty pricey, with a portion of fish going far beyond the 10 Euro.

One of the main touristic attraction of the city is the Castle. The entrance is 4 Euro and you can visit it only with a guided tour. It lasts around 40 minutes, is in German, and reveals interesting aspects regarding the difficult history of the German princes. The  rooms opened to the public are modestely decorated, with hunting trophees and paitings illustrating the life at the court. A souvenir shop is offering small objects and booklets about the history of the German dynasties.

 View of the park around the castle. Here you can find also a restaurant and a coffee house.

 Another attraction for curious tourists might be Heimat Museum. In the German tradition is a museum offering insights in the local and regional culture of a town and locality. 

 The objects displayed in the yard or indoors are explaining various customs and local traditions.

Another touristic attraction here is the Funktechnikmuseum, a must-see for those who are passionate about history of the radio and technique.

 I took another short walk - if you want, you can use the local buses as well, but I wanted to enjoy more of the sunny afternoon - and reached the Central Station.

The Central Station was built at the end of the 19th century. Completely by accident I finally found the Tourist Information Office with various leaflets - in German - about opportunities for all categories of ages. The Tourist Office is hosted at the Central Station. All over my trip I was thinking how comes that you can't find touristic leaflets here. Justice was done and I lefted the place almost happy. It wasn't a glamorous trip, but a relaxing one. It is what we need sometimes to clarify our thoughts.