Posts Tagged ‘history’
Michael’s 48 Hours in Berlin
My last trip to Berlin was almost 20 years ago as part of a corporate group for the 2006 World Cup, so I’d been looking for an excuse to go back and explore the city on my own terms and in particular, the history of Berlin leading up to and including the Second World War, the subsequent Cold War and the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. The tourist trail in Berlin is heavily focused on these three things, with constant reminders around the city of the pivotal role Berlin played in world events at various points throughout the last century.
Getting There
Travelling from a UK airport to Berlin is simple. Our short, 2-night stay meant we only needed a carry-on bag, so no bag drops on departure and no wait for luggage on arrival. The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport is a modern marvel, run with friendly efficiency, getting passengers through the airport as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
To get into the City Centre, you can take the Airport Express train, leaving every 30 minutes for Berlin Central Station, a regional train, or a taxi, all of which take around 35 minutes. After a quick taxi ride to our hotel and dropping our bags, we headed to Berlin’s best-known and prettiest street, Unter der Linden, both to get our bearings and to see the Brandenberg Gate, Berlin’s most photographed landmark. It’s also close to the 5-Star Adlon Hotel, scene of Michael Jackson’s infamous baby-dangling-off-balcony episode. We headed for a quick bite to eat, then back to the hotel to prepare for what would be two busy and thought-provoking days.
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Karen’s Greek Getaway in Athens!
Many more years ago than I care to disclose, I studied Ancient Greece at university but I’d never actually put boots on the ground. Beyond the Acropolis I had little idea of what to expect from modern Athens, so my recent short break there was a real revelation. I think most people’s mental picture of Greece is going to be whitewashed island villages, sandy beaches and crumbling ancient monuments, so it might not be the first place on your list for a city break, but Athens is a fantastic place to explore:
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Karen in The Côte d’Azur!
The Côte d’Azur is somewhere I return to year after year and still find new places to explore each time. For me it’s the perfect blend of beach, city and culture – with the bonus of delicious French food and wine! What makes it even more appealing is their seamless public transport with trains and buses that are user friendly and reliable: No car required. If you’re going for 3 or more days then a Sud Azur Explore pass is a good investment if you want to do some excursions. It’s available from the tram ticket machines at Nice Airport and 3 days currently costs only €35 per person for unlimited travel on trains, trams and buses within the region, including Monaco.
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Romantic City Breaks for 2014
The Eiffel Tower, Paris (Credits: Alexander Kachkaev)
With it being only a few days away from the most romantic day of the year we are feeling the love at Osprey Holidays, so here are some of our finest romantic city break locations for 2014, with some top romantic activities to do in each. Read the rest of this entry »
